Handling Your Own Stock

Many agencies have either completely closed their doors to new photographers or are only considering newcomers with hard-to-find specialties such as special effects or specific people situations. Rather than lose potential sales, some photographers have opted to handle their own stock. There are obvious advantages to this. They earn 100% of each picture leased, have total control of where the slides are marketed, and have peace of mind knowing where their slides are at all times. But they have to be prepared to hire at least one studio manager. Clients need accessibility to the images during the business day and the photographer who relies on his or her answering machine to handle clients will eventually lose the business.