Photographer
Rp-photo
Posts: 42711
Houston, Texas, US
Several models have encouraged me to join Zivity claiming that it would somehow benefit both of us. It looks to be mostly oriented towards selling images, which I am avoiding doing for the time being. I have no problem with the models showing our work in their Zivity profiles, but they tell me it has to be on mine.
Photographer
AVD AlphaDuctions
Posts: 10747
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
zivity is like FB except that people pay to like photos. yes, you heard me right. and you can like more than once. its good for photographers who like to tell a story, as you publish photosets instead of individual images. Porn isn't allowed, and each photoset is checked by zivity before approval. Nudity is not even a requirement. I deliberately did not look at your port so i have no clue if it would work for you or not. for me, its beer and pizza money every quarter for essentially zero work. YMMV EDIT. the main reason it benefits (other than that nice little check you get in the mail) is that it allows you to choose 20 images from a certain look or location (or more) and post them all as a story. there is no 'portfolio' and no limitation so you dont have to worry about "what goes in my port and what has to get nuked?". If you have ever shot a sequence with a model walking from an open field into the woods then you have shot a set that could go on zivity. how many 'likes' or votes you would get would depend on your creativity. the focus is on the set rather than the individual image. the images in the sequence that dont work well they simply arent part of the set. am I making sense?
Photographer
Marc Damon
Posts: 6562
Biloxi, Mississippi, US
Model
Laura UnBound
Posts: 28745
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
rp_photo wrote: Several models have encouraged me to join Zivity claiming that it would somehow benefit both of us. It looks to be mostly oriented towards selling images, which I am avoiding doing for the time being. I have no problem with the models showing our work in their Zivity profiles, but they tell me it has to be on mine. You're not selling images, you're selling the ability to look at and "vote for" (favorite) them. You have to publish the photos on your profile because they remain YOUR photos. They show up on her profile because she's in them They can be found by looking at either of your profiles, so there's more chance of exposure If someone wants to show you they like your photo set, they vote for it Votes cost fans one dollar. That dollar is split three ways (not equally, I don't remember their new percentage) between you, the model, and zivity. You can increase money flow by making incentives (20 votes on this set and I'll email you a few unreleased shots, 30 votes and I'll send you the original Polaroids signed by me and the model, 50 votes and we shoot an additional set just for you, signed prints, etc etc) If you're someone who only edits one shot from each look and calls it a day, you probably won't feel like the payoff is worth the additional work If you're someone who can shoot with the idea of a set in mind and batch process (or process quickly), or someone who already is editing 15 shots per look, you'll be fine
Photographer
Nico Simon Princely
Posts: 1972
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
What happens if I have set that I put up that the model does not have an account. Or I have already paid the model and I don't really want to keep paying her?
Photographer
AVD AlphaDuctions
Posts: 10747
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nico Simon Princely wrote: What happens if I have set that I put up that the model does not have an account. Or I have already paid the model and I don't really want to keep paying her? then shoot something different for zivity. if you have images already up they are not suitable for zivity. they want exclusivity on those particular images since people are paying to see them and like them. zivity is for sharing easy profits with a model. not for work you paid a model for and want to go sell somewhere.
Photographer
Bobby C
Posts: 2696
Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
soft porn site that you "pay to play ( vote )."
Model
Nicole Nu
Posts: 3981
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Laura UnBound wrote: You're not selling images, you're selling the ability to look at and "vote for" (favorite) them. You have to publish the photos on your profile because they remain YOUR photos. They show up on her profile because she's in them They can be found by looking at either of your profiles, so there's more chance of exposure If someone wants to show you they like your photo set, they vote for it Votes cost fans one dollar. That dollar is split three ways (not equally, I don't remember their new percentage) between you, the model, and zivity. You can increase money flow by making incentives (20 votes on this set and I'll email you a few unreleased shots, 30 votes and I'll send you the original Polaroids signed by me and the model, 50 votes and we shoot an additional set just for you, signed prints, etc etc) If you're someone who only edits one shot from each look and calls it a day, you probably won't feel like the payoff is worth the additional work If you're someone who can shoot with the idea of a set in mind and batch process (or process quickly), or someone who already is editing 15 shots per look, you'll be fine This. However you'll both have to network your asses off on that site to get some fans who will vote for you and gain a following who will regularly vote on your sets. That, in my opinion, is the hardest part.
Model
Laura UnBound
Posts: 28745
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nico Simon Princely wrote: What happens if I have set that I put up that the model does not have an account. Or I have already paid the model and I don't really want to keep paying her? You can't post sets of models who don't have accounts. The set doesn't go live until the model approves it on her end. If you don't want to "keep paying" your model (even though YOU aren't, fans are) then you don't shoot zivity sets with her.
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45192
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Soft porn popularity contest where models and photographers make pennies to the dollars on votes by those who pay to join so they can see the pictures. You upload sets and share in a percentage of the dollar per vote. Beer & pizza money every quarter year is about what you get.
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
look at it this way. you can do a 30-day free trial (any member can extend that to you) and if you get a set approved within the trial then you have a free membership (whereas people who aren't models/photographers have to pay for access). any money you get from votes that are cast you might get could be considered a bonus. i'd caution against expecting a lot of votes, though. some sets get none. and it tends to be weighted toward the top models/photographers, some of whom are spending a lot of time creating sets and networking with voters. for my part i like being able to present a set of 20-30 photos vs. just one or two here on mayhem. but given the amount of effort involved it is disappointing when a set hardly gets any votes. most of the votes i've received have been with a top-10 model (if you can snag yourself one of those count yourself fortunate). there are also themed contests with prizes. some do well by winning those. if you're curious i'd suggest grabbing a model and starting the trial. you will both need to submit paperwork in order to get started.
Photographer
Boho Hobo
Posts: 25351
Santa Barbara, California, US
ontherocks wrote: look at it this way. you can do a 30-day free trial (any member can extend that to you) and if you get a set approved within the trial then you have a free membership (whereas people who aren't models/photographers have to pay for access). any money you get from votes that are cast you might get could be considered a bonus. i'd caution against expecting a lot of votes, though. some sets get none. and it tends to be weighted toward the top models/photographers, some of whom are spending a lot of time creating sets and networking with voters. for my part i like being able to present a set of 20-30 photos vs. just one or two here on mayhem. but given the amount of effort involved it is disappointing when a set hardly gets any votes. most of the votes i've received have been with a top-10 model (if you can snag yourself one of those count yourself fortunate). there are also themed contests with prizes. some do well by winning those. if you're curious i'd suggest grabbing a model and starting the trial. you will both need to submit paperwork in order to get started. I have to say, though I like the idea of zivity, there is something wrong in the whole mix to me. 1) I don't like that networking is where you make $$. to me, if zivity is all about "friending" then why have people post sets of 20-30 images? why not just have like MM has, image of the day contests? or come up with an option that people who produce good work but not social networking fiends or addicts get $$. 2) there needs to be more traffic. and there needs to be more there, there. it might be my add but I still don't get where the there is. There are lots of photos but it's still empty. if that makes sense. 3) I'm getting really tired of where users provide content and at most get beer money. I'd love to see Zivity get innovative and provide richer avenues for participants to get a greater share of profits or moneymaking opportunities.
Photographer
J O H N A L L A N
Posts: 12221
Los Angeles, California, US
Patchouli Nyx wrote: 3) I'm getting really tired of where users provide content and at most get beer money. I'd love to see Zivity get innovative and provide richer avenues for participants to get a greater share of profits or moneymaking opportunities. I agree - it's predatory. I don't participate in any of these sites, but that doesn't make the practice any less repulsive.
Photographer
Boho Hobo
Posts: 25351
Santa Barbara, California, US
John Allan wrote: I agree - it's predatory. I don't participate in any of these sites, but that doesn't make the practice any less repulsive. part of the problem is that all of these sites are started by computer people. sure they might have art in their background or fancy themselves photographers or budding photographers or play in photography, but at their core, they're not surviving by being a creative. They're surviving and in many cases, flourishing by using creatives. If there were people at these sort of sites (as board members or valued advisers) who were actually professional creatives (photographers, artists, etc) then you'd likely see some formulas or structures that would give the content providers more of an avenue for $$ or free advertising or networking or something of real value vs internet fame.
Model
Dekilah
Posts: 5236
Dearborn, Michigan, US
Let me see if I can find my response to similar questions about Zivity... https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thre … st17991644 https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thre … st17992759 Yes, you are selling your photos in a way, but I will point out that you are not selling your copyright. You do retain your copyright and Zivity gets a non-exclusive license that renews in two year periods. And yes, both parties (model and photographer) must have an account on Zivity in order to publish a set. The photographer uploads the set, and then the model must approve it. It could be beneficial for you if you would like to make some money off of photos. I know photographers who use Zivity as a way to "use" multiple "good" images from a shoot whereas usually they might only use one or two images. I would not consider as a huge money maker, but if you can edit a set fairly quickly (so it is not a ton of added time on your part) and the model is on Zivity, it could be a nice way to make a bit of extra money you would not have made otherwise. If you have any other specific questions feel free to PM me ^_^ Zivity is not for everyone and I promise to be honest and as helpful as I can be.
Model
Sperohh
Posts: 30
Cleveland, Ohio, US
NicoleNudes wrote: This. However you'll both have to network your asses off on that site to get some fans who will vote for you and gain a following who will regularly vote on your sets. That, in my opinion, is the hardest part. Agreed, it is the hardest part, also finding photographers in your area. Im in Vegas and its like pulling teeth. Im posting castings and most of the photogs I want to work with have no idea what Zivity is and so then...I have to "sell" them on it. smh.
Photographer
Seismic Images
Posts: 525
Morisset, New South Wales, Australia
rp_photo wrote: Several models have encouraged me to join Zivity claiming that it would somehow benefit both of us. It looks to be mostly oriented towards selling images, which I am avoiding doing for the time being. I have no problem with the models showing our work in their Zivity profiles, but they tell me it has to be on mine. Thanks for this. I've been wondering same thing.
Photographer
glumpy
Posts: 516
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
I only heard of this site last night. I looked it up and Thought that what I saw was basically a load of trash. I have no idea why anyone would pay to see or even vote on such a site in this day and age of the internet. Clearly some do. I saw an article on the site as well explaining how it had fallen way short of expectation and promises to investors and the site was basically being split in 2 between one of the Directors and the others. The tearaway director wanted to grow the site naturally and other soft of heart and head incomprehensible business practice. It is surprising to find it does turn around $20M a year. That's s freaking lot of votes. also interesting is that the main share holders are disappointing it wasn't turning 10 times that. I think there was some real wishful thinking going on there. I know, I'm old fashioned but the whole concept of this site just escapes me. with sites like Deviant art and no doubt a heap of others in a similar vein, don't get why or how you lure people to pay to say they like something. I wouldn't expect a site like this to really progress much, more the opposite with the way the net, phone cams and attitudes are going.
Photographer
Art of the nude
Posts: 12067
Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
Patchouli Nyx wrote: 3) I'm getting really tired of where users provide content and at most get beer money. I'd love to see Zivity get innovative and provide richer avenues for participants to get a greater share of profits or moneymaking opportunities. Between models and photographers, "participants" get 85%. How much more would you think is fair? What percentage of the revenue do "participants" get on MM, or FB, or, well, ANYWHERE ELSE? I wish there was more revenue, but it's at least as good of an option as the rest.
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45192
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Patchouli Nyx wrote: part of the problem is that all of these sites are started by computer people. sure they might have art in their background or fancy themselves photographers or budding photographers or play in photography, but at their core, they're not surviving by being a creative. They're surviving and in many cases, flourishing by using creatives. If there were people at these sort of sites (as board members or valued advisers) who were actually professional creatives (photographers, artists, etc) then you'd likely see some formulas or structures that would give the content providers more of an avenue for $$ or free advertising or networking or something of real value vs internet fame. Yes, I agree with you! You've stated the problem with Zivity quite well.
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45192
San Juan Bautista, California, US
glumpy wrote: I only heard of this site last night. I looked it up and Thought that what I saw was basically a load of trash. I have no idea why anyone would pay to see or even vote on such a site in this day and age of the internet. Clearly some do. I saw an article on the site as well explaining how it had fallen way short of expectation and promises to investors and the site was basically being split in 2 between one of the Directors and the others. The tearaway director wanted to grow the site naturally and other soft of heart and head incomprehensible business practice. It is surprising to find it does turn around $20M a year. That's s freaking lot of votes. also interesting is that the main share holders are disappointing it wasn't turning 10 times that. I think there was some real wishful thinking going on there. I know, I'm old fashioned but the whole concept of this site just escapes me. with sites like Deviant art and no doubt a heap of others in a similar vein, don't get why or how you lure people to pay to say they like something. I wouldn't expect a site like this to really progress much, more the opposite with the way the net, phone cams and attitudes are going. They had gotten quite a large sum in venture capital. I think it was around 7 million. I don't believe that they make $20M ... I really don't see how that is possible.
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45192
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Art of the nude wrote: Between models and photographers, "participants" get 85%. How much more would you think is fair? What percentage of the revenue do "participants" get on MM, or FB, or, well, ANYWHERE ELSE? I wish there was more revenue, but it's at least as good of an option as the rest. Youtube started with a revenue sharing program, but now makes most of their money with advertising. Facebook had venture capital, but now makes most of their income from advertising. This website we are on makes their income from advertising. What's that tell you?
Photographer
Boho Hobo
Posts: 25351
Santa Barbara, California, US
Patchouli Nyx wrote: 3) I'm getting really tired of where users provide content and at most get beer money. I'd love to see Zivity get innovative and provide richer avenues for participants to get a greater share of profits or moneymaking opportunities. Art of the nude wrote: Between models and photographers, "participants" get 85%. How much more would you think is fair? What percentage of the revenue do "participants" get on MM, or FB, or, well, ANYWHERE ELSE? I wish there was more revenue, but it's at least as good of an option as the rest. reread my point. my point is about the site itself and what avenues does it offer creatives to make decent money and not "pizza" money Correct me if I'm wrong but there is no there there. no traffic no substantial content other than sets no forums boards pins centralized town hall I would totally revamp the site keeping the boobular photos but make it a destination point other than just looking at tits. I mean really, who needs to pay to see tits? ****** beyond that, how many paying members are there? the 85% is nice but if the pot of bounty is $20, and as a photographer you get what, 30% of $20, that's $6? And your grand total of $6 or whatever beer money is these days isn't determined by quality, it's really determined by your ability to network. I understand the nature of the business has changed and with everyone calling themselves a photographer now, content is basically free or almost free if you know what you're doing as a website owner, but yeah, I don't understand creatives who are practically giving their work away particularly since your work isn't really what's being rewarded, it's your marketing and networking strategy.
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
what about this guy? http://www.zivity.com/photographers/ricyoung also this model shoots out of vegas at times so she might have more photographers for you: http://www.zivity.com/models/Lyndsey_Love Dyylan J wrote: Agreed, it is the hardest part, also finding photographers in your area. Im in Vegas and its like pulling teeth. Im posting castings and most of the photogs I want to work with have no idea what Zivity is and so then...I have to "sell" them on it. smh.
Photographer
Carle Photography
Posts: 9271
Oakland, California, US
I don't see the problem with the "pizza money" jobs and market. I just added up all the "pizza money" jobs in 2012 I made over 1,100.00 nearly a month's rent on my studio, all in amounts billed at 50.00 or under. No I'm not going to give up the higher end clients for a Zivity shoot but getting a few hundred for what amounts to a test shoots or experiment is not a bad idea. As for the networking, don't all business people have to network? Some days you network for Zivity, other days you network for a 900.00 gig.
Photographer
Art of the nude
Posts: 12067
Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
Patchouli Nyx wrote: 3) I'm getting really tired of where users provide content and at most get beer money. I'd love to see Zivity get innovative and provide richer avenues for participants to get a greater share of profits or moneymaking opportunities. Art of the nude wrote: Between llamas and photographers, "participants" get 85%. How much more would you think is fair? What percentage of the revenue do "participants" get on MM, or FB, or, well, ANYWHERE ELSE? I wish there was more revenue, but it's at least as good of an option as the rest. Patchouli Nyx wrote: reread my point. my point is about the site itself and what avenues does it offer creatives to make decent money and not "pizza" money Correct me if I'm wrong but there is no there there. no traffic no substantial content other than sets no forums boards pins centralized town hall I would totally revamp the site keeping the boobular photos but make it a destination point other than just looking at tits. I mean really, who needs to pay to see tits? ****** beyond that, how many paying members are there? the 85% is nice but if the pot of bounty is $20, and as a photographer you get what, 30% of $20, that's $6? And your grand total of $6 or whatever beer money is these days isn't determined by quality, it's really determined by your ability to network. I understand the nature of the business has changed and with everyone calling themselves a photographer now, content is basically free or almost free if you know what you're doing as a website owner, but yeah, I don't understand creatives who are practically giving their work away particularly since your work isn't really what's being rewarded, it's your marketing and networking strategy. Reread MY point. Two llamas I know of who are new to the site got over $100 from the first quarter. Pretty sure they got ZERO dollars from MM. Money is ALWAYS more determined by your ability to network than quality.
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
i think some people are doing it to belong to something, for bragging rights, a chance to show off their camera skills, a different way to get models. lots of reasons other than money in other words. i think some people base a lot of their life on shooting zivity sets. for some girls i get the sense that they use zivity as part of their marketing mix to help drive traffic to their facebook and cams and web sites. for some fans i think it's kind of a sugar daddy lite type of thing. help out the model in exchange for attention, stills, videos, webcam shows. buy the girls clothes from their wish list and they'll shoot you a cellphone pic of them in the clothes. and i have heard from models who said the zivity money was what they had to pay for their healthcare. Patchouli Nyx wrote: but yeah, I don't understand creatives who are practically giving their work away particularly since your work isn't really what's being rewarded, it's your marketing and networking strategy.
Photographer
AJ_In_Atlanta
Posts: 13053
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Sounds like shooting microstock for even less money...
Photographer
Boho Hobo
Posts: 25351
Santa Barbara, California, US
Art of the nude wrote: Patchouli Nyx wrote: 3) I'm getting really tired of where users provide content and at most get beer money. I'd love to see Zivity get innovative and provide richer avenues for participants to get a greater share of profits or moneymaking opportunities. Art of the nude wrote: Between models and photographers, "participants" get 85%. How much more would you think is fair? What percentage of the revenue do "participants" get on MM, or FB, or, well, ANYWHERE ELSE? I wish there was more revenue, but it's at least as good of an option as the rest. Reread MY point. Two models I know of who are new to the site got over $100 from the first quarter. Pretty sure they got ZERO dollars from MM. Money is ALWAYS more determined by your ability to network than quality. In the land of the internet, I'm sure $100 a quarter or $25/month is a lot of money.
Photographer
Carle Photography
Posts: 9271
Oakland, California, US
AJScalzitti wrote: Sounds like shooting microstock for even less money... Don't forget the boobs... Boobs make it all worth it.
Photographer
Boho Hobo
Posts: 25351
Santa Barbara, California, US
glumpy wrote: I only heard of this site last night. I looked it up and Thought that what I saw was basically a load of trash. I have no idea why anyone would pay to see or even vote on such a site in this day and age of the internet. Clearly some do. I saw an article on the site as well explaining how it had fallen way short of expectation and promises to investors and the site was basically being split in 2 between one of the Directors and the others. The tearaway director wanted to grow the site naturally and other soft of heart and head incomprehensible business practice. It is surprising to find it does turn around $20M a year. That's s freaking lot of votes. also interesting is that the main share holders are disappointing it wasn't turning 10 times that. I think there was some real wishful thinking going on there. I know, I'm old fashioned but the whole concept of this site just escapes me. with sites like Deviant art and no doubt a heap of others in a similar vein, don't get why or how you lure people to pay to say they like something. I wouldn't expect a site like this to really progress much, more the opposite with the way the net, phone cams and attitudes are going. Patrick Walberg wrote: They had gotten quite a large sum in venture capital. I think it was around 7 million. I don't believe that they make $20M ... I really don't see how that is possible. I don't think Zivity has any ads to they? If all income is tied to subscriptions then you have what, 20-40k paid users on the site? At $100 a year? That's $2M-$4M a year gross. Maybe the VCs were HOPING to gross $20M a year.
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
i believe zivity gets a cut from each vote purchased. and now instead of a monthly subscription fans can pay to unlock individual sets. models/photographers with published sets don't pay a subscription (we get a free membership basically). Patchouli Nyx wrote: If all income is tied to subscriptions then you have what, 20-40k paid users on the site? At $100 a year? That's $2M-$4M a year gross.
Photographer
Art of the nude
Posts: 12067
Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
Patchouli Nyx wrote: I don't think Zivity has any ads to they? If all income is tied to subscriptions then you have what, 20-40k paid users on the site? At $100 a year? That's $2M-$4M a year gross. Maybe the VCs were HOPING to gross $20M a year. Some people buy several hundred votes a year. Some don't.
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
i think some fans are working more in the thousands than the hundreds. Art of the nude wrote: Some people buy several hundred votes a year. Some don't.
Photographer
Boho Hobo
Posts: 25351
Santa Barbara, California, US
ontherocks wrote: i believe zivity gets a cut from each vote purchased. and now instead of a monthly subscription fans can pay to unlock individual sets. models/photographers with published sets don't pay a subscription (we get a free membership basically).
so you think Zivity is pulling in $20M a year?
Photographer
Cinema Photography
Posts: 4488
Boulder, Colorado, US
That site makes me think of fools gold
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45192
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Patchouli Nyx wrote: I don't think Zivity has any ads to they? If all income is tied to subscriptions then you have what, 20-40k paid users on the site? At $100 a year? That's $2M-$4M a year gross. Maybe the VCs were HOPING to gross $20M a year. No, no ads on it. Their business model depends on people paying for access through votes, membership and what not. I don't see the appeal of such a site over any other paysite that has multiple models on it. You either like what you see or you don't. It seems to me that it is also rather dependant on models building a fanbase too.
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45192
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Art of the nude wrote: Some people buy several hundred votes a year. Some don't. Really? Several hundred votes? You mean that some "fans" are spending hundreds pf dollars a year on the site? Let's see ... if you have 100,000 members paying an average of $100 a year ... that's $10,000,000, correct? Do they really pull in those numbers or is my math off?
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
no idea. you'd have to know how many monthly subscribers they have in a given year and how many votes purchased in a given year and how many sets individually unlocked. i think they get like 15 cents per vote purchased. i didn't have the impression the owners at zivity were getting rich. seemed more like a labor of love really. Patchouli Nyx wrote: so you think Zivity is pulling in $20M a year?
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