This my first income report for Vezzani Photography.  It covers all of 2017.  In addition to this report, I am also including my TOP 10 Stock Photography Sales!!!

Income Report 2017 – Bottom Line – Owning a photography business is hard work

First of all, owning a photography business is hard.  We had a move mid year in 2017, and so I had to start all over again with my client base.  Can you guess what month we moved?  Like any starving artist, being a photographer is no exception when you begin.  You have to absolutely love what you do to get you through the hard.

To help with my income report, I started by looking back at my FreshBooks report.  FreshBooks is my go-to for my accounting and invoicing needs for my photography business.  I love the ease of use and graphs that it produces.  That said, 2017 was a low year for me.  When you take into account home office expenses and travel expenses, I actually lost money.  I decided to cut my losses and start fresh in 2018 as a result.  So much for an impressive income report:)

Here is a breakdown of the Income Report:

Total INCOME:

Photography sessions for 2017:  $1,658.43

Share-A-Sale Affiliate Ads:  $52.20 (Join shareasale.com, Earn Cash!)

Shutterstock: $1,736.13

Dreamstime:  $44.48

Fotolia:  $288.61

iStock/Getty:  $162.64

Cookbook sales:  $33.19

Total EXPENSES:

Professional Services:  $895

Utilities:  $2,853.39

Travel: $1,139.41

Supplies: $835.73

Other business expenses (insurance, taxes, etc.): $7,069.01

Meals/Entertainment:  $217.12

Education and Training:  $1,139.80

Mileage:  $3,625.79

Advertising (website fees, etc.): $1,255.56

Dave’s business ended up having to pay for a lot of the home office and business expenses, but it’s a new year!

 While the overall business suffered, I still had a lot to be happy about in 2017

Although I lost money overall in this income report due to large expenses with our move, I still earned a steady income from my stock photography.  I purchased Microstockr Pro to help me analyze my stock photography sales.  What I like about it is the fact that I can input data from all of my stock agencies.  You can search by year, month, or day.  You can also customize by all agencies or single out an agency to view your top performers.  According to Microstockr, in 2017 I earned $2,231.87 on stock photography sales.

Mictorstockr allows you to sort by downloads, best sellers, and collections.  This helps me know what my top sellers are as well as what trends may be happening in each stock agency.

I sold 3,581 photos in 2017, but where did they all go?

Have you ever wondered where all of your stock photos go or how they are used?  I know I have!  Another feature I love about Microstockr is the search feature!   When you click on an image to get the details, you can hover over the image for two options.  The little link icon takes you to the stock agency where you have your image for sale.  The magnifying glass icon takes you to Google and shows you where it has found that particular photo on-line.

While it can become addicting, and it won’t tell you everything, it’s totally fun seeing where some of your photos get used.

Top 10 Stock Photography Sales in 2017

In light of that, here is a list of my top 10 stock photography sales.  In addition to this list, I included screen shots linked to actual websites where I found my stock photos in use.  Some sites surprised me.  It was a fun exercise and revealing for sure:)

#10 Top Selling Stock Photograph in 2017

Racetrack Playa, Death Valley

My #10 top selling stock photo was one I took at Death Valley National Park at Racetrack Playa.  On this trip I learned why summer isn’t the best time to visit Racetrack Playa.  Seriously, we barely got out alive, but I got my photo!  Income Report: This photo had 35 downloads in 2017 and earned $36.55.  Considering the gas, time, and car repairs that took place after that trip, I will need to earn over $1,000 to just break even with this photograph.  Still, I’m happy that it’s selling, albeit slowly!

My favorite article so far with this photo of Racetrack Playa is pictured below.  I love how the title is “These 25 Travel Destinations Might Actually Kill You.”  I texted my dad a screen shot of the article, and after a good laugh about the article, he completely agreed with the title.

#9 Top Selling Stock Photograph in 2017

The Milky Way at Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park

My #9 top selling photograph for 2017 was taken in Yosemite National Park at Glacier Point.  The night sky at Glacier Point is unbelievable and I highly recommend visiting at night if at all possible.  The Milky Way is at its peak in August or late summer.  Because it was late summer, I spent several hours up in Yosemite before I could take this photograph.  That said, it was totally worth it!  Income Report: This photograph sold 79 times in 2017 and made me $39.76 total.

By using Microstockr’s search feature, I found my Milky Way photograph on a News website showcasing the amazing star gazing opportunities in Chile.  I had to laugh a little bit, knowing that this view of the Milky Way was seen in the Northern Hemisphere, not Southern.  Still, it’s fun to see where my photographs are being used.

#8 Top Selling Stock Photograph in 2017

Bowl of popped popcorn

My #8 top selling stock photograph for 2017 was a bowl of popcorn.  Honestly, I LOVE popcorn.  Who doesn’t?  I make it all the time.  One day, I thought, why not photograph it?  I had no idea it would be in my top 10 sales for 2017.  Income Report: I earned $42.94 with 89 downloads on this one photograph in 2017.  Popcorn well served, I’d say!

Reader’s Digest used my photograph in an article about how to prevent alzheimers.  Who knew that popcorn could affect your mental health?  My recipe, however, isn’t from a bag, but is popped on a gas range with olive oil.  So maybe I’ll be okay?  If not, at least I’ll die happy.  My mom, an avid Reader’s Digest reader, was thrilled to see the article.  Reader’s Digest actually credited me as the photographer, which was kind of cool:)

#7 Top Selling Stock Photograph in 2017

Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad

It’s amazing to me which of my photographs do and do not sell.  Finding the right audience makes all the difference.  I made this delicious strawberry balsamic salad for my food blog, Home Baked Joy.  As I had already photographed it for my website, I decided to sell it for stock as well.  It looks like it was a success.  Income Report: I had 54 downloads and earned $46.77 in 2017.

When I did a Google search for this photograph, I found an article on a Boston News site.  They also credited me on the photograph!  Yay awesome people!

#6 Top Selling Stock Photograph in 2017

Egg, Broccoli, Potato Skillet

This #6 top selling stock photograph in 2017 was another dish I made for my food blog and then decided to sell as stock.  The egg, broccoli, potato skillet dish tasted even better than it looked.  Yum!!!  Income Report: I had 92 downloads in 2017 of this photograph and earned $49.50.  I guess people like eggs as much as I do.

I found this photograph on another blogger’s website.  As a food blogger myself, I never considered that some blogs contained stock photographs for the recipes shown.  Now I know:)  I think it’s kind of funny, but I am grateful for the business.

#5 Top Selling Stock Photograph in 2017

Plain Whole Wheat Belgium Waffle

I made these waffles for Dave’s birthday.  Photographing them was totally a spontaneous, last minute decision.  I’m so glad I did.  The waffle sales success has been a big surprise for me this past year.  Income Report: I had a whopping 89 downloads earning $51.30 in 2017.

I found the plain waffle photograph in an on-line menu of all places.

I also found it in an article titled, “Crimes Inspired by Waffle Houses.”  Nice.  Now I want waffles!!!  Breakfast for dinner, anyone?

#4 Top Selling Stock Photograph in 2017

I took my #4 top selling stock photograph when I photographed my friend making cupcakes.  Her cupcakes are amazing!!!  Income Report: While this photograph only had 33 downloads in 2017, it still earned $54.19 due to different licenses used.

Ironically, I found this photo on a website discussing whether or not frosting is bad for you.  I think I know the answer:)

#3 Top Selling Stock Photograph in 2017

Belgium Whole Wheat Waffle topped with boysenberry syrup

More waffles in the mix!!!  In addition to homemade waffles, I also made Dave homemade boysenberry syrup from our garden.  It tasted amazing!  Income Report: This #3 top selling stock photograph made me $63.57 with 131 downloads in 2017.

Okay, finding my photograph online this time made me smile!!!  It’s an ad for an Applebee’s breakfast with MY waffle on it!!!!  So glad I took this series of birthday photographs:)

#2 Top Selling Stock Photograph in 2017

Orange Chicken Walnut Salad

I also created this Orange Chicken Walnut Salad recipe for my food blog.  The popularity of this photograph totally surprised me.  Income Report: I earned $130.98 in 2017 and had 268 downloads.

I guess people like pictures of healthy salads!  It proved a lot easier to find this photograph on-line as it has been used a lot more often.  My favorite uses of it were on heath food sites, including this one.

#1 Top Selling Stock Photograph in 2017

Once again, the Belgium Waffles Series

This is what you’ve been waiting for!  Drumroll please.  My #1 top selling stock photograph was once again another angle of the same Belgium waffle shown above.  As you can see, people like food, especially universal looking food.  Income Report: I earned $145.54 on this one photo in 2017 with 254 total downloads.  When I added up ALL of my waffle photos from that single session (including some that weren’t on my top 10 list), I earned a total of $292.84.  Not bad for a last minute photography session.  Plus, after the photo session, I got to eat it too!  That’s a huge win in my book:)

As I searched for this waffle photograph on-line, the following website using my photo made me laugh the most.  The recipe calls for bacon, cheese, and marijuana.  Doesn’t this look like a bacon, marijuana, and cheese waffle to you?  I think I laughed until I cried with this find.  Gotta love it!  

Well, there you have it!  My top 10 stock photography sales and my income report for 2017!  Here’s hoping for a brighter 2018:)

Happy travels!

Juventa Vezzani

Read more of my travel stories here!

To purchase some of my photographs through the stock agency, visit Shutterstock or contact me today!

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