Comments on: Shooting for Stock Photography Sites

By: Yakov

Yakov — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:15:04 +0000

A newcomer in the microstock industry is http://www.kosherstock.com. Kosherstock focuses on the Jewish world. Photos of the Jewish culture and religion as well as photos of Israel landmarks.

By: one light music

one light music — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:58:52 +0000

Hi, my name is Dherek Abernathy and I’m with http://www.productiontrax.com. We are looking photographers that want to show their hard work to the world. Fill free to check us out online or Email us for any questions at DherekONL@Gmail.com.

By: George E. Norkus

George E. Norkus — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:15:40 +0000

Of the couple times tried to upload a few photos, I was told they weren’t correct. After contacting them, I found out they only want things in RGB. Another message was send to them explaining the massive amount of megabites I had and that I could provide sRGB, Adobe RGB, RAW, and TIFF. They still insisted it was wrong.

After several other “pros” told me they didn’t know what they were talking about, I just let them go and just forgot stock photos all together.

By: Carol Ramirez

Carol Ramirez — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:02:10 +0000

Will marking your pics “exclusive” result in greater possibility of making a sale? Also, why does the application (to a stock website) ask whether you are joining other stock sites? Will this deter in possible acceptance or exposure on their site? I am researching the stock industry myself and am interested in knowing whether I should be exclusive to one site or join them all.

By: Jay D

Jay D — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:57:59 +0000

I wonder, is it possible to submit the same photo to more than one stock image website at the same time? kinda like trying to maximize your chance of profit and getting it seen?

By: Enrolled Agent Exam

Enrolled Agent Exam — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:50:04 +0000

30% doesn’t sound bad at all. First of all your are viewed by an audience that you may never reach on your own. Mostly profit without the hassle of running a website yourself.

By: Ian Murray

Ian Murray — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:58:26 +0000

Have a look at Alamy. They pay 60% to the photographer and sell at proper ( non micro ) prices. They do not edit for content so the only barrier is technical and it really isn’t hard.

By: Ron Gibson

Ron Gibson — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:38:58 +0000

While stock sites is certainly not for me, there is a huge market for them. And some people can make decent money shooting stock- but very few do.

It’s funny that I won’t shoot stock, but I’ll buy it. I feel a little bad each time I go to a stock site and buy an image for a few dollars. I always think to myself that it’s so undervalued. But that is what has happened to photography- everyone can pick up a camera and post to a stock house. The best (who get paid the most) work for places like Getty Images, and the price of those images certainly show (I rarely buy from Getty).

All I can add is look for images that are underrepresented. Istock does a good job of letting people know what images are being requested so you can get out there and shoot to fill those voids.

And the better the image- the more likely you are going to sell (this is always true). However, when you shoot stock, think about what these images are going to be used for. Shoot with the thought that most stock images are going to be used in websites or business newsletter media and will be background images. Stock images are not art- they are going to have a purpose. Think about what you might need or want for a specific industry and shoot with that in mind.

By: Eduardo Pérez

Eduardo Pérez — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:06:12 +0000

Perhaps the author should talk about the referral system those (micro)stock sites have implemented, and how she will earn some money from the links posted in the article: when someone joins using one of those links, she will get some of the subsequent revenue generated by the newcomer.

So the author certainly has a monetary interest to create a good impression about (micro)stock sites and encourage people to join. While I am not implying that the article is biased, I think people should know.

By: Panya C.

Panya C. — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:58:56 +0000

Great topic! It’s just what I am looking for. Thank you.