A leading advertising assignment shooter says that he is seeing a growing niche in high-end sales.
A typical case is where an art director for a major brand is suddenly told he cannot shoot original art. Then, rather than calling Getty Images, the art director calls a photographer he has wanted to work with to see if the photographer has any stock that will work for his campaign.
When the photographer can come up with something suitable, it tends to go for between $7,500 and $20,000 for a two-year license. This is good for both sides: A photographer earns for something that has been sitting in his file, while the art director avoids production costs.
This niche is small but growing, according to one photographer.