abouttheimage (ATI): You've just announced the expansion of three of your offices -- LA, New York and Cologne, Germany.  Congratulations. Image Source (IS) appears to be thriving through yet another year of extreme change in the stock photo landscape.  In your view, what about the current state of the stock photo industry presents the greatest opportunity to IS and, conversely, what presents the greatest threat?

Indeed, 2006 was the most successful year on record for Image Source and we have just finalized our Q1 2007 Results which makes us feel extremely bullish about Image Source and the market opportunity in 2007 and beyond. Because of the power and democracy of the web, so much opportunity has been created for all of us today - I believe that the source of wealth is within people’s minds – never before have there been so many educated, bright, stimulated minds with such ease of access to information. My belief for Image Source has always been that excellence and access should go hand in hand. Excellence in creativity, in production values, in technology combined with access to world wide markets of both photographers and clients. I started Image Source seven years ago on the premise that we would always position ourselves as a best of breed company – and that has been our greatest strength in changing times. The greatest threats in Stock are the same as they are in business – complacency and unwillingness to embrace change – especially now in what I believe is a time of convulsive change.  


ATI: The micro-stock phenomenon has worried stock photo managers and analysts alike, especially regarding its probable downward price pressure on RF.  How do you see the micro-stock sector playing out over the next several years and how, if at all, do you see it affecting IS's business?

Microstock offers a great opportunity for all of us because it is a reflection of the democratization of talent and photography. I think it is a wonderful phenomenon that demonstrates the power of the web to level the playing field for photographers. I am excited about what our stock world will look like when creativity is mainstreamed, as it certainly will be via the power of technology. The defining feature of this generation is that we have the tools of self-expression at our finger tips. We have gone from Knowing to Doing to Showing. Microstock allows identities to find identities and that is where the opportunity lies – of course there will be pressure on price but I believe that will level out and premium quality content will always rise to the top – and take pricing with it. There is a new paradigm for creative expression – it has gone from just a few channels for expression to legitimacy to a self creating society – and that’s good news for those who understand that.


ATI: How do you account for the relatively high number of new RF supplier companies (started mostly by former managers and employees of other stock photo companies) launching almost every other month?

As I mentioned, we are fast becoming a self creating society and everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame. This is a good thing. Entrepreneurialism and Creativity can go hand in hand and there is nothing quite so healthy as competition. I just hope for the sake of these entrants coming into the market, that they have been motivated by a desire to do their own thing, express themselves and add value to the customer experience of imagery – because if that is not the case, then it will be a disappointment for the customer and the numbers could end up telling a sorry story.



ATI: Despite the apparently high number of new RF images coming onto the market and the arrival of low-priced micro-stock on the scene, IS has managed to steadily increase prices on at least a part of its collection over the last several years.  How have IS managed to defy the laws of supply and demand and do you expect IS will be able to maintain its relatively high prices in the coming years?

Our business model has always remained simple – it is to be the best – best of breed in content, best of breed in creativity, best of breed in marketing and brand. We have kept it very simple and kept it focused. Our vision has always been to sit at the top of the triangle and for our positioning to be high end – premium product, premium positioning and we have been relentless in that pursuit. As a result, Image Source, has remained relevant to its customers and as we have grown, we have practiced a process of kaizan – constant self improvement – I think our customers, partners and photographers all acknowledge that and why we have never feared asking for more. As long as we remain consistent to our values, I believe we will always be perceived as offering good value to our customer. We also have some very exciting new products coming to the market soon and because we are not afraid of high prices, I think we can leverage our market position in a way that many others cannot.



ATI: IS is the last of the big RF supplier companies that remains independent, in other words, not bought out by one of the big guys. In the meantime, the big guys have paid vast sums of money for the likes of Brand X, Digital Vision and Stockbyte.  It's only natural that you would contemplate the same fate for IS. Would you care to share any thoughts or comments on the subject?

It is no secret that Image Source has been and continues to be courted regularly on a number of commercial deals however I have never been a “normal” sort of girl wanting what others have. I have had a very clear vision from an early age of what I wanted to do and what I wanted to achieve. Image Source has provided me with such opportunity for growth and development, intellectual and creative stimulation as well as being an absolutely fabulous company with amazing people and a truly international and innovative culture. Image Source is a business so of course we know our numbers and we know our value but ultimately, we have not yet seen any space better than where we are right now. We are working on some truly innovative projects that we hope will drive us even further forward – and as long as that innovation and energy continues, our journey is far from over. Also, bear in mind, both Duncan Grossart, my co-CEO and I are still in our mid 30s and so there is plenty of mileage in us yet! Many people within the industry have got distracted by the acquisitions but frankly, I think we have only scratched the surface on how truly valuable a business in this sector could be. Watch this space!


ATI: As the CEO of a growing company with 90 employees, what percentage of your time do you dedicate to creative vs. managerial responsibilities?

I am no longer a hands-on manager – we have an excellent team who manage the business – my time is focused on looking for new opportunities and new areas of growth which by its nature means that I work in a very creative role.


ATI: Given the opportunity to shift gears entirely with your career and dedicate yourself to another, entirely different endeavor, what would you choose to do?

In the last 7 years at Image Source, I have had the opportunity to shift gears several times – going from a one woman one dog business, zero revenue and zero images to where we are today with a collection that will comprise of 100,000 images by the end of 2007, 4 worldwide offices and a team of close to 100 people and the largest international network in the entire industry has required several changes of gear and of mind set. The things that got me excited about the business when I founded it still remain – Photography, Internationalism and Technology. Other things also motivate me such a Mentoring and Developing my Team, creating wealth for all the stakeholders at Image Source, driving a business that is brimming with bright very smart ambitious people, maintaining Integrity Values from Day 1 – I think I have been given many opportunities within Image Source and I cannot see another career space that I would rather be in – I actually feel quite blessed with where I am right now and believe that I have a duty to fulfill my vision of where I wanted to take Image Source when I set it up at the turn of the Millennium and there remains much to be done right here right now. So, in my case, the grass really does not seem greener anywhere else and I am doing exactly what I choose to do today.

Web: www.imagesource.com