abouttheimage (ATI): What inspired the idea for the blog and what do you hope to accomplish
with it?

Ron Chapple (RC): I really enjoy shooting, and I thought the blog might be a good way to share not only the "day-to-day" life of a stock shooter, but to use the blog as an opportunity to share the knowledge that comes with many years of working in the stock industry. The business of stock has been so good to me, and the people in my studio, that this is our small way of giving back to the community. Digital cameras have enabled an explosion of personal creativity. I'm hoping that the blog will be an inspiration to aspiring photographers and a resource for good business practices.

ATI: Apart from the blog, what are you up to, these days? What kinds of photography projects have occupied your time lately?

RC: I shoot a ton of location work, traveling in 40+ states over the past 2 years. The work varies from aerials to lifestyle to travel. Exploring new ways of seeing has always been my passion. I really enjoy working with "real people" and finding new locations.

ATI: What's your take on the micro-stock phenomenon? Will you submit images to micro-stock sites as some professionals have?

RC: Microstock is simply the latest business strategy (enabled by digital cameras, ubiquitous bandwidth and internet technology) to reach a customer base. I'm not sure I would call microstock a phenomenon any more than rights-managed stock was a new business phenomenon 25 years ago. As perspective, I started shooting stock when "stock" was discouraged by the existing assignment photographer community, and that's when the only option was rights-managed work!

Yes, like many shooters, we're exploring opportunities that might exist in microstock. A diversified revenue base is a good thing! This may sound ludicrous, but I think that microstock sites will begin offering rights-managed images within 2 years, if not sooner. If you have the attention of the customer, why not offer more products?

ATI: It's been a while since the Thinkstock/Jupiter deal. With three years distance and perspective, are you satisfied you made the right move?

RC: I'm one of those people that only looks ahead. At the time, Thinkstock needed the next level of financial investment for marketing and technology which Jupiter was able to support. We were able to not only keep our entire production team together, but to grow the creative aspect of the business. And everyone involved shared in the financial rewards of the sale. The best part is that the Thinkstock collection still remains a stand-alone site which is a tribute to all the fantastic people that helped build the brand.

ATI: How did you first become interested in photography? What steps did you follow in the process of going pro?

RC: I started shooting when I was 16 years old. A teacher/friend from middle school showed me how to print B&W and I was hooked. Only problem was that he lived 20 miles away so I would wash prints in a big tub in the back seat of the car while driving home at midnight! Finally, my parents let me build a darkroom in the basement. Then in college, I continued to shoot. Eventually, I started photographing people, started a small business right out of school and never looked back. In retrospect, I wish I had assisted or interned for another studio since I made more than my share of dumb mistakes! Maybe my blog can help aspiring shooters fast-forward themselves to a solid business career.

ATI: Do you believe photographers have more or less opportunity in the world of stock than when you started out? In your opinion, in what essential ways has the landscape changed, if at all, for stock photographers?

RC: There has never been more options for getting a stock photo business started. Embracing change is key to business success. When I see large-scale change, its like the whole world just turned into a massive field of opportunity. I do believe that for many shooters, including myself, that making a living solely from licensing images will be increasingly difficult, but that doesn't mean there's not opportunity. There's many ways to be involved in photography and not all of them mean you have to be the person that pushes the button. For example, our studio team (editors, digital artists, photographers, production) are all integrally involved not only in enhancing our images, but in coming up with shoot ideas, assisting and production.

There's also more opportunity for photographers to create revenue by going direct to the consumer. With just a few clicks, images can be sold in self-published books or as products in online marketplaces such as Lulu, CafePress or Zazzle. There's many more ways to make money from images than just through licensing a stock photo.

Its interesting to me that the major stock companies have spent so much energy on aggregating content and the supply-side rather than developing new markets for imagery. I think that's the next phase in this ever-evolving industry.

The new economic landscape for photographers of all levels is easier access to buyers. Yes, there's tons more competition but the best images will always rise to the top. Personally, I'm far less interested in the "business model du jour" than I am in getting great images to clients.

ATI: By reading your blog, I gather you travel a fair amount for work. How much time do you get to spend at home in Maui?

RC: The travel is extensive, I'm away from home 150-200 days a year. Fortunately, I combine family travel and shoots for 2 months every summer. The trade-off is that I can create my free-time when I'm at home.

ATI: What trade orgnizations do you support and why?

RC: I'm a PACA member. PACA is a forward-thinking organization that encourages strong business practices, and they bring together the best of both worlds- the people that started the stock industry, along with the newcomers and ideas that challenge the status quo.

ATI: Is the work you create "art" or is it just a business?

RC: I think there have been books written about that subject! Most of the images I create are for commercial purposes- so I create "commercial art". I would like to think that every now and then I might luck into an image that could hang in a gallery!

ATI: What advice would you offer new photographers or business person looking to break into the industry?

RC: The stock "industry" has tons of opportunities if you think beyond simply shooting or owning an agency/distribution company. The people here at "About The Image" have done just that by creating a must-read blog about happenings in the stock photo business! I would suggest that anyone interested in images look at all of the business with a fresh eye, figure out what they enjoy the most, then seek either an employment or entrepreneurial opportunity where you you will have the most fun.

ATI: Apart from photography, how do you like to spend your time? Any other special interests?

RC: I try to spend as much time with my family as possible. But I'm totally hooked on the business of making and selling images. It's not only my occupation but my avocation as well!

Web: www.ronshoots.com - www.thinkstock.com