Flickr makes a living

Posted January 30th, 2008 at 11:40 am by Eric Lafforgue, Eric LAFFORGUE Photography

 10 Comments / Filed in: Our Users

When I started to post my pictures from Myanmar on Flickr in February 2006, I just thought it was a good way of storing my photos at a cheap price. But then I received one comment, two, three… and people even favorited my pics. Mon dieu, there’s someone somewhere who looks at my photos and takes time to leave some messages!

My ego was flattered. I felt like the most important amateur photographer on Earth. Then I received an email from The Economist asking me for an Oman pic to be used in an ad. (What? I can earn money with my pics??? And they even paid!) I went to Papua New Guinea, put my pics online, received comments, faves, you know the story! GEO USA called me: “Hi, we saw your Papua pictures on Flickr. We want 12 pages for GEO Germany, OK?” (Yes, sir!)

A French editor saw my photos and asked me if I was OK making a book. (No problemo!) My book was released this Christmas and was number 10 on Amazon.fr last week! Lonely Planet, National Geographic Russia, Get Lost, UNESCO Magazine, etc. bought my pictures thru Flickr. And then, the leading French photography agency Eyedea (Rapho, HoaQI, Gamma) contacted me and signed me few weeks ago!

So, YES, Flickr works and… well, now, I must leave you cuz I have to pack my bags and go to India for one month to shoot!

I keep posting on Flickr as it remains the most powerful tool to be seen on the Web and in search engines, and I do not want to lose the direct contacts I’ve got with the world jury that comments on my stream.

Thank you, Yahoo!!

Eric LAFFORGUE
http://www.ericlafforgue.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mytripsmypics

Tagged: Flickr, Our Users

Post a Comment Bookmark This Digg This

10 Comments Add your own

The girl | January 31st, 2008 at 5:30 am

Hi, Lafforgue that’s a good jod done. I will like to be like you too. Pleasant day.

gag | February 1st, 2008 at 3:02 am

cool BnW photo

Lucy | February 1st, 2008 at 6:08 am

fantastic pictures

aNu | February 1st, 2008 at 6:32 am

This is incredibly inspiring!!!

Dan Perry | February 1st, 2008 at 9:03 am

Great story. I absolutely love Flickr, and I think you’re a much more advanced “amateur” photographer than you may think.

A number of my pictures have been used by Wikipedia, and I didn’t even know it, which was fine (due to Creative Commons). It was a proud day indeed when I was visiting Wikipedia and saw my picture.

Thanks again for the post; great knowing I’m not the only big fan.

Serdar Kilic | February 1st, 2008 at 3:04 pm

What a fantastic, inspiring, story!

Denny | February 6th, 2008 at 9:24 am

I’ve been following your stream for a while now. You do amazing work, and your success is well deserved. Congratulations.

Jeff | July 5th, 2008 at 9:04 am

Congratulations on your success. Your work is truly inspirational.

Chris (your contact SemperNovus from Flickr) | September 16th, 2008 at 6:11 am

Awesome Eric!!! I was checking out your profile and came across the link to this page. I’m happy for you and proud. May many others stumble across your Flickr pages (many others that pay I might add) and enjoy your photos!
Cheers!

Eco Friendly Shopping | November 19th, 2008 at 3:21 am

Well done Eric! Some really beautiful images, have stumbled