| Adding value to stock
I run quite a large studio here in South Africa. Employ 20 people including 6 doing what we call image processing(getting images ready for print,proofing etc) and manipulations.
Up to now we have been pretty firm around the issue of whose images we work on. We wont work on any images that dont originate from our studio. We obviously want to encourage clients to give us the photography.
About 6 months ago I noticed that a lot of work we used to get is going to various stock companies and RF's. Not happy about it but there you go. Started thinking about how we could get something back and thought that perhaps we could add value to these images by making changes to them required by our clients.
Got my sales guy to make a few calls and test this idea in a limited way to see what the market reaction would be. The reaction was very good. Obviously we make sure the client has permission to use the images.
I was wondering if in other markets anyone has tested this idea? Is stock having an impact and how much and if so is it increasing leveling off or is it constant? How do you feel about working on other peoples images? What aboout using stock as a part of a shoot with a view to combining with others you may shoot.
Just looking for ways to intergrate stock into my business without shooting it myself. I hate shooting stock and would rather sweep the floor and tidy the studio.  | 
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