This is a sad post to write but quite liberating at the same time. After 16yrs I’ve terminated my contributor contract with my sole stock agency, Alamy. This comes after Alamy recently published details of some significant changes to their contributor contract, which will come in to effect on 1st September 2026 and directly affect me.
There’s lots of legal jargon and rhetoric in relation to how and why these changes are deemed necessary. All contained in an email circulated to contributors by Alamy two weeks ago. In a nutshell, two of the new amendments affect me directly, in equal measure.
The first contract change relates to placing more responsibility on contributors for legal challenges. The contract now reads – ‘You will be responsible for paying any and all costs and/or damages arising from complaints and claims relating to your Content.‘
You might think that as a contributor you should be responsible but, occasionally a challenge for misuse can occur despite you ticking all the correct editorial boxes and model/property releases. The issue Alamy had over copyright material with Bild newspaper recently is a good example. You can find details of that with a simple Google search. I think another Alamy contributor summed up where I am at really well on the Alamy Contributor Forum:
While our liability is likely small if we’ve done the right things – there remains apparent unshared exposure beyond our control. Yet we seem to be responsible for other’s mistakes or poor decisions – intentional or not.
After that I stopped uploading images to Alamy taken in galleries, museums or anywhere else other than a public place, without first checking their conditions for the use of commercial photography. Even photographing street art, in a public place, is a sticky subject in relationship to image copyright.
The next amendment relates to a change in the contributor commission rates. Presently a contributor has to make $250 in sales per annum to move to Alamy’s Gold Level, which pays contributor commission at 40%. Alamy have now raised the ceiling for Gold Level to $3000 per annum. A massive increase and those not making the $3000 level will now be paid at a 20% commission rate.
This commission change directly affects me. Although I was comfortably over the $250 threshold, I don’t get close to the $3000 level. Even if I had wanted to, it would require me to at least double my portfolio size. That’s a lot of work and I’m not prepared to dedicate the time and effort to do so. An earlier blog I wrote in relation to my portfolio size explains why – My Stock Image Photography Story.
So, taking these changes into consideration, earlier this week I took the decision to terminate my Alamy contract. It’s sad because Alamy have always been a great company to deal with and much better than other stock agencies I’ve been involved with. I felt their commission rate was fair, even at 40%.
I don’t think a 20% commission rate is a fair return for me. The jump from $250 – $3000, before you hit Gold level, is a massive hike. There’s been lots of conjecture in relation to this on the Alamy Forum. The reasons Alamy themselves have given, for such a big rise in the threshold, ring hollow. The bottom line is I no longer feel valued as a contributor or as part of a team working with Alamy. At a 20% commission rate I think Alamy are being too greedy. I could see myself becoming more and more resentful with every new sale so it’s time for me to move on.
I mentioned that leaving Alamy felt liberating and in truth, although I have still been regularly uploading new images to Alamy, I have been slowly drifting away from shooting for stock. I wrote a blog some time ago about making images for my wordpress account, using Flickr again and getting back to photography being my hobby. That blog is here: Photography – Vintage Lenses and Flickr.
That feeling has intensified and its been a real joy taking my camera out with a few vintage lenses and shooting images just for me, or to illustrate a blog post. Shooting stock normally involved a zoom lens and countless images that never gave me a buzz (unless they sold of course).
I’ve also found it more and more difficult to find any enthusiasm for key wording my Alamy uploads, a task I never enjoyed. Even though using AI to generate descriptions and words has made keywording easier than ever, I still found it a chore.
The termination process with Alamy takes 45 days. From 1st September I’ll no longer be an Alamy contributor and I’ve no plans to join any other stock agencies.
Having submitted my termination request, Alamy have already deleted my portfolio. In the meantime, I’m trying to source AI software that can auto keyword my former Alamy library for me. If anyone has any suggestions in relation that it would be much appreciated.
All images: ©Stephen Hyde 2007-2026 – All rights reserved.
That’s too bad Steve, I knew the photographer didn’t make much off these images, but it seems like they are trying to discourage anyone but their highest earners. It’s interesting information for us because Richard and I have talked about putting some of his images for sale, but have never really looked too far into it. Maggie
Hey Maggie. at one time stock was a lucrative business but those days are long gone. People who do best seem to be those with huge libraries or specialists. Sites like adobe and Shutterstock sell lots of images but pay in cents, rarely dollars. I do occasionally sell images on Photos4Me. Its not a stock site. People buy prints in frames using contributors images. It’s a good place for landscapes if that’s your thing. I think Fine Art America operates under a similar business model.
Good to know thanks!
Kudos for making the best decision for you Steve.
Thank you Brad. That’s exactly how I feel about moving on 🙂
I had no idea Alamy was moving towards this focus on higher tier everything Steve. That’s unfortunate and I can sense that this was due to some revenue consultant’s spreadsheet projection.
stock photography, especially niche or specialized ones, take an inordinate amount of preparation. many photographers are willing to do it as a career but when you squeeze them out like that, there’s no amount of AI that can make up for the authenticity. And even if one were to hire a professional Adobe Photoshop person to clean up an AI image, Photoshop is a professional tool and the market will correct so that those guys start demanding they be paid commensurately.
good luck on the next leg of your photography adventures.
Mike
Thank you Mike. Lots of people in the Alamy forum are echoing your thoughts. Things have been changing since Alamy were taken over by PA Media. I don’t harbour any grudges because Alamy has been good for me and made me a better photographer and post processer. Fortunately it was always more of a reason to take pics than a revenue stream. I’m enjoying being free of the commitment, even if it was self imposed.