FocalPop launches stock photography site for requests

Ever needed a stock photography shot for a project, but can’t simply find that one perfect image? Why not request it on FocalPop?

FocalPop is a new stock photography site with a bit of a twist in that users, known as Seekers, can request the exact image they need, and then the race is on amongst photographers to provide the shot that meets those needs.

The process is a simple one:

• The Seeker fills out a request form for the image they want along with the licensing they want and the amount they are willing to pay for it.  (a 30 percent deposit is required to secure that they are a serious buyer)  They also set a deadline that they need the image by.
• FocalPop notifies the community of photographers of the new request.
• Photographers receive and review the request, and then upload as many photos as they wish to meet the request.
• After the deadline passes, the Seeker reviews the images and chooses the one that best suits their needs.
• The Seeker then pays FocalPop the remainder of the fee, the high resolution image is sent to them and the photographer gets paid.

The photographer gets 70 percent of the agreed upon price with FocalPop keeping the remaining 30 percent.

The problem I see with this system is that there could be a lot of unused photos laying around for some photographers at the end of the day.  Of the current completed requests, someone asked for “a lonely guitar” at a rate of $110.  While the transaction has been completed, there were several completed shots submitted, and while all nice, I don’t see that being an image that will get much play when placed on other stock photography sites.  There is a certain gamble with working with this site’s business model, so be cautious.

• 

• Deutsche Telekom launches stock photography site in the UK
• Breaking into Stock Photography
• New photography news site Focal Point Daily launches
• Fotolia adds stock photography plugin to WordPress blogs
• Makes thousands off your Flickr images