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Selling Stock Photography Tips
Generating a Stock Photography Portfolio
Before attempting to sell photos through a stock photography company, you should gather together as many different images as you can. Nearly any type of image -- a person, an animal, a landscape or a building -- may have some stock photography potential. Some stock photography companies only deal with photographers when they have a large amount and variety of images. Stock photos most often come from a photographer's personal collection, previous assignments or photography taken with stock photography in mind. It pays to take some time to generate a lot of images before entering the stock photography market.
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Be Critical of Your Stock Photography Shots
iStockphoto Tip: So you're trying your hand at selling your vector art online. You've read all the books and tips there are for creating great vector images. You want to get some images out there online as quickly as possible so you can start earning cash. But, one rule of thumb when creating great vector images is to spend a little more time after you think you are done. Consider these ideas: *Programs like Illustrator are just a tool. It's the artistic mind that creates great vector images. Are there lines you haven't tried, something new and different to make the edges of the image pop? *Is there another idea you can find with the bezier tool? If you've avoided using it, re-consider. *Have you let your mind wander by drawing freehand for a bit? You might be surprised to discover some new spin on the image at hand. Always follow this rule of thumb: When you think your image is done, give it five more minutes!
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Be Critical of Your Stock Photography Shots
A successful stock photographer isn't afraid to edit his or her own work. Some experts even suggest being highly critical of one's work. Just collecting a huge number of interesting shots won't help you sell your photos as stock. For example, have you taken a landscape shot at a time of day that no one else has? Do you have a unique angle of a building or bird? If not, edit those photos out of your portfolio and keep trying. It's best to edit photos right after a shot when your intentions and goals for each shot are still fresh in your mind. Don't be afraid to edit your own work before you submit it.
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Getting Started Selling Stock Photography
iStockphoto Tip: Before the Internet, agencies represented stock photographers -- taking care of all the marketing and administrative aspects of a sale and freeing up the photographer to do his or her work. Now, this type of "representation" is available with online stock photography sites. These sites have seemingly endless numbers of web images created by a variety of stock photographers. These web images are available for purchase for nominal fees and are bought by individuals, organizations and marketing firms who are designing advertising material. Online stock photography sites can save buyers time and money. At the same time, the images they represent can be purchased online numerous times. That way, the stock photographer makes significant money, as well, even though the sale of one single image may only cost the buyer about $1.
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Getting Started Selling Stock Photography
There are a number of ways you can get into the stock photography market as a seller. Some photographers decide to represent themselves, which means they handle all the aspects of marketing their own stock photos. This may take more time, but it will allow you more artistic control as well as put more money into your pocket.
Other stock photographers choose to market with only one representative as as an exclusive agreement. Those who pursue this option have the capability of creating a "brand image" from their name and a regular client list who likes to buy their work.
Still, other photographers allow some other entity to represent them. This means they will make less money per photo, but they will have more time to shoot photos and will spend less time with administrative work.
There are advantages and disadvantages to these choices. The most important thing is to make a conscious choice that is right for you so you don't regret your decision later on.
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Research Before You Join a Stock Photography Website
iStockphoto Tip: Some people may mistakenly think that selling stock photography will be easy money. Lots of photographers are good at taking pictures of their kids and family. But, that doesn't mean a typical snapshot -- even if it's a cute image -- has stock photography potential. Here are some tips for taking people photos that have potential to be sold as stock shots: *Get the light right. You may have taken a great indoor shot of a young child with an interesting expression, but if you used an on-camera flash you might have lost the natural, warm light spilling through the window in the late afternoon. You may also have shots that have too many or too dark shadows. Even if the expression is cute, without the right light contrast, the photo is not likely to be accepted as stock. *Choose an interesting background. An example here is a long, winding staircase. This background image draws the viewer in and keeps the eye's attention. *Get a close up. The best people photos are those that make the viewer wonder, "What is that person up to?"
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Stock Photographers Work From Home
In recent years, many home-based businesses have sprouted up. The Internet has allowed people to work successfully from a remote location. Even though you travel outside of your home to obtain new photos and images, much of the work of a stock photographer is done at home. As a stock photographer listing your photos for sale, you may be able to claim tax advantages as a home-based business. You should check with a qualified accountant to determine which expenses may be deductible. Taking advantage of these home-based deductions can make you more profitable, even if selling stock photography is a part-time job for you.
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Research Before You Join a Stock Photography Website
You may be anxious to get your photos online and to start generating income from a hobby or business you love. But you should investigate thoroughly before you sign on with a stock photography website. As with other types of sites, some are legitimate and others are not. It's best to first research the online stock photography market and then investigate each individual site on which you list your photos. Here are some things to ask:
*Who will own the rights to the photo you list for sale?
*How does the site attract the right buyers, i.e. individuals and agencies who are creating advertising material and need stock photos?
*What policies are in place on the site? Do they clearly spell out the responsibilities of the stock photo owner, buyer and representative?
*What fees will you likely generate from each photo? How are they paid? What type of sales history does the site have?
*How long has the site been in business? Do they answer your questions in a timely and efficient manner.
By spending a few minutes investigating a site before you sign on to sell your photos, you could save time later on trying to untangle agreements that do not serve you.
