Stock photo agencies?

[mel]

I'm unfamiliar in this area but I was just reading this Photo magazine that had an article in it about selling your photos to stock agencies like iStock, Shutter Stock, Dreamstime and Bigstockphoto.com on the net.

Does anyone here on the forum do this? If so do you make any real money with it.

It seems like a pretty cool concept that with the thousands of photos I have sitting on my EHD I could actually be making some money :rolleyes: :D

Anyway as always if I have these types of questions (unrelated to PSE) I always come here and ask you guys........you have all become so trusted that I value your advice and opinion :)

[Andyd]

Mel,

I was just looking at istock on that. I was curious after I read Scott Kelby’s book where he mentioned it. Granted I don’t think any of my photos would generate any interest. Don’t think anyone would want a picture of my kids on a swing, let a lone the confidence I’d have in the photo itself.

Some of the photos I’ve seen in the galleries (including yours) could very well be sold. According to Scott, you will not make a killing selling photos (although you could.) It is a good feeling having a photo accepted.

In istock there is a section to “apply” to be a contributor. Registration is free, so nothing to lose. If it is something you go for, let us know. Who knows maybe one of your next shots will be on the cover of Time!:)

[gez]

Mel, Andy, et al

I'm studying and trying to make my way into the stock photography arena. It can be VERY lucrative. I know of photos that have produced tens of thousands of dollars in repeated sales over several years.

Eighty percent of stock sales are photos of people. People doing ordinary things like talking on a cell phone, involved in an activity, or even sleeping. The thing is these must be exceptional photos, not snap shots taken spur of the moment. Spur of the moment shots do happen, but rarely.

Often you will see a moment that would make what you think would be a great photo but.... the background stinks, clothing colors clash, it's mid-day and the light would be much better at dusk. These moments are then recreated with models. The photographer controls every aspect of the picture.

A picture of your child in a swing would be great. If it was designed and photographed well. Backlit with fill flash, only blue sky as a background (maybe a white puffy cloud) a yellow shirt (clean and pressed) that stands out from the sky and complements his/her blond hair blowing in the wind and of course a big smile.

I'm in training and haven't yet sold an image, that day is comming soon. The more I learn, the greater my respect for the PROS grows.

May the light be with you.

[mel]

I'm in training and haven't yet sold an image, that day is comming soon.

Now that's the right attitude to have!! :)

One of the 'stock' photo sites I read about is a Dutch agency called www.nationalebeeldbank.nl, and they are looking for the exact opposite of what for instance sells good on istock. They are not looking for photos of overly done up people who look like models and project something along the lines of 'perfection' (they are not looking for photoshopped-retouched people). They are in great need of photos showing the daily life in Holland. Maybe it's something for me to look into seeing that I'm in the right place for that :D If I do follow it up and get accepted I'll post a link with the photos I took........

.......and the dream starts :rolleyes: ;)

The thing that blew my mind is that they pay €35.10 for every photo downloaded!!! That's quite a bit more than the 0,25 cents they pay at Shutterstock.

Good luck with your photography George, I'm sure you'll be a success!!

[ME100FINN]

Mel, I think the BIG sites are hard to stand out from the crowd. Adding keywords to your images at the site is essential in order for them to be found. I have a few on fotolia.com and other than my family, I dont think anyone has looked at them. It's a long shot... but hey, they are just sitting there anyway. Maybe I'll make a dime or two someday from them - maybe more. It is important to read the fine print when submitted stock pics. Fotolia for example has options to submit images exclusive to them only. STock photography is huge - some make big bucks, others dream of hitting big. I'd love to get my hands on a sure bet... but it still remains a mystery how a person can find a needle in a haystack. Takes time and a need for a specific image. When I get more time on my hands (yeah, right, like when?? LOL) I'd love to dig into this deeper. I got the bug not long ago and wanted to go nuts with pictures in Japan. I had read that Asian stock images are few and far between... ok, but now what do I do? All that excitment went out the window with other priorities.

[gez]

I've posted a few (?) images taken at a stock photography workshop this past weekend. I took about 800 shots. Most went right into the trash. I will submit about 50 and hope to have a few accepted by the agency. Wish me luck.

[AngelicKim]

George, I was admiring your gallery earlier this evening and I love the beach shots you have added. I have also visited your web site before and your work is great. Good luck even though I doubt you will need it.

[mel]

George if the photos are anything like your gallery I'm sure they'll be selected. Your gallery is amazing!! I love the photo of the carrots.....so simple yet so striking :)

I wish you all the best with your stock photography and really hope that your photos make it to the 'top' :) ;)

[baycruisers]

A friend and colleague of mine in Vermont (Jan Tyler: http://www.tylerphotos.com/) has been selling on Istock for several years. It is hard work--Istock's standards for image quality are very high and there's a lot of competition (if you want to call it that) on the site. At the same time, if you're really good and are willing to work on images before posting them, you can make some decent money. She is about to retire (we're both forensic psychologists) and she plans to continue on Istock and in her other photo ventures as long as she can. I will never match the quality of her work, but I have learned a lot from her over the years.

[kimh]

George, have you taken many classes? Just wondering how you have aquired so much information. Besides practice, practice, practice of course!
Kimh

[gez]

Thanks to all for the kind words and well wishes.

I'm studying at www.pposp.com (http://www.pposp.com) . I'm in my fourth class there. Can't reccommend the school enough. Check it out if you haven't. The instructors are top notch and the interaction between the students is really helpful. No time for a class, buy a book. ALL Bryan's books are GREAT.

My goal is to make photography my day job. I'm about to send in my first submissions. I'm playing hardball here. My competition is the best in the business, Bryan and his peers. So, please keep your fingers crossed, I DO need it.