I cant' believe I haven't posted in such a long time and since the last time I have so much has happened in the world on every scale imagineable.
Between African revolutions, tragic natural disasters including nuclear fallout it's all been so much so fast. And Elevation Photos where has it been? Why hasn't the homepage images changed since last year, etc. And why haven't I posted any updates on Facebook?
Well, all the company answers will be answered shortly. Let's just say actions are taking place that will answer all questions and concerns. As for business, Elevation Photos assignment business is continuing to grow rapidly and it's pretty much safe to say I've decided to exit the contributor/spec business entireley. It's just that the business of licensing has dropped off dramatically and I've had more success and continue to in the assignment business. The business I've always wanted to grow with Elevation Photos.
Most recently, we've been in San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago on corporate assignments that remains to this day the engine that drives the car. I will have an FBOOK update on those within the next couple of days but for now take my word, 2011 is the best years compared to 2009/2010 hands down.
And the feeling I'm getting in the industry overall is that business is picking up to some degree, prices are measurably flat if not lowered with respect to assignment fees and that the market is patiently waiting for a consumer/retailer/personal income rebound. What has peeeked my interest lately are the investors /VC's flocking to companies with photo based/mobile based technology ( tinyprints, hipstamatic, etc) that takes the power of the mobile device and places front and center from all places like Libya, Cairo ,etc. to your best friends birthday party. The citizen journalist has arrived and all the naysayers about what role Twitter/Facebook have in this world we live in can go and shove it. These platforms have not only sway public opinition in conflict ridden areas of the world but it's also allowed joe shcmoe's like me to witness a different kind of revolution unencumbered by the media and as raw as a piece of red meat you would feed to a lion in a cage.
Companies like Demotix signing deals with Corbis finally makes sense. I've spoken with Thuri about a year ago urging him to distribute in the US , etc. I'm glad he has done so and with the advance of technology in the mobile space the mobile phone has become as powerful on the front lines as an AK-47 would be to a kid soldier.
The photo industry, and I've said this for a while now, is a critical stand still and the line is being divided between the halves and halve-nots. Lines are being drawn between big time media/corporate budgets who need to save money by signing up with image corporate behemoth's with no soul but a lot of content that noone can even come close top delivering. Personally, in the assignment space, that makes it more advantageous for a guy ( and a few others like me) to hold the front lines on their clients, holding value in that thing that makes clients work with me and all the while watching the rear -view mirror for low hanging fruit eating from the scraps.
The capitulation of the photo industry marketplace has never been as prevalent as it is today. And what pains me the most is to see the boutiques go the way the beast and surrender to market pressure and the prices that are being offered on its content. And while certain content is still king, you'ld be fool to notice otherwise with what companies say they are willing to pay versus what we think the value of that product is. It's cat and mouse being chased by one another!
But I digress, in the end, I'm here and alive and well.....and keep coming back soon..i'll have more info on how we're doing moving forward
:)
