Microstocks losing grounds? Not!

PhotoShelter‘s 2009 What Buyers Want survey gives some refreshing news to stock photographers. 550+ global photo buyers like Time, Business week, National Geographic, advertising firms book publishing (etc..) where asked about their image licensing need for 2009. 75% of them say their rights-managed licensing will increase or remain the same. And even better, 58% of buyers say they will decrease use of microstock.

Update: It turns out the number was a misprint. It should have said 22% instead of 58%.

Konrad Sioui
Profile photo on Konrad Sioui, Grand Chef (great chief) huron-wendat of Wendake Huron reserve (also called « Village Huron) just north of Quebec city February 17, 2009.
Technical: Canon EOS Mark III, 1/300 at f8 with a 24-70 at 70mm – ISO 200 + off camera flash on a monopod on camera right.

This is not a portrait. I could not set up off camera lights on stands but I wanted a nice off-camera flash light. So I put a flash on a monopod and followed the new Grand Chief of Wendake during a visit by two provincial ministers, underexposing the scene by a stop so the flash would make Sioui pop.

We arrived before her show. One of her staff knocked at her door at The Capitole Theatre in Quebec City. When she opened it, a big question mark could be read on her face.

But when I said, “Hi, I’m Francis Vachon, and this is Edward”, Béatrice Martin, commonly known as Coeur de Pirate, put her hand over her face, totally surprised and emotional. “Oh my God, I’m going to cry!”

Having Béatrice and Edward meet was a very touching moment. Each time a band member or a road crew was passing by, she was telling him “hey look!, It’s THE baby!”

The funny thing is now those photos have an historical value. Edward DID helped in her starting career. If she pursue and become big, those photos will be in demand. So I’m sending them to CP image, and I’m pretty sure they will sell at some point.

Nous sommes arrivé avant le spectacle. Une personne de son équipe a cogné à la porte de sa loge au Capitole de Québec. Lorsqu’elle a ouvert la porte, nous pouvions tous voir le gros point d’interrogation sur son visage.

Mais lorsque j’ai dit « Bonjour, je suis Francis Vachon, et voici Edward », Béatrice Martin, plus connu sous son nom de scène de Cœur de Pirate, a mis ses mains sur son visage, surprise et incrédule. « Oh mon Dieu, je vais pleurer! »

Faire se rencontrer Edward et Béatrice fut un moment très touchant. Chaque fois qu’un de ses musiciens ou machiniste s’approchait, elle lui disait « regardes! C’est LE bébé »

Le côté rigolo est que ces photos ont maintenant une valeur historique. Edward a bel et bien aidé sa carrière débutante. Si elle poursuit et obtient un gros succès, ces photos pourraient bien être très en demande un jour. Alors je les envois à CP image, et je suis sûr qu’elles se vendront un jour.

Edward and Coeur de pirate meet

Edward and Coeur de pirate meet

Coeur de pirate in concert

Bonhomme Carnaval
Standing on a float, Bonhomme Carnaval, mascot of the Carnaval de Quebec, salutes the crowd at the Quebec Winter Carnival parade Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 in Quebec city. The festival typically starts on the last Friday of January or the first Friday of February and continues for 17 days. With close to one million participants, it has grown to become the largest winter celebration in the world
Technical: Canon EOS Mark III, 1/100 at f3,2 with a 70-200 at 115mm – ISO 1250


Copyright © 2023 Francis Vachon.