 M.Christine Duncan |
How to get into stock photography? Though I'm presently just learning all I can about how to make a great photograph, I'm very familiar with the concept of stock images.... but how do you even get a foot in the door? Any tips or help from anyone else who's been through this? Thanks in advance!!!
|
|
|
|
||
|
Corinne M. Thompson |
Hi Christine, I'm not involved with stock altho I know many others here are. If you do a search in the Q&A on "stock" you will find alot of threads dealing with this, which you may find helpful.
|
|
|
|
||
|
M.Christine Duncan |
Thanks for the tip Corinne! I'll do that.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Carolina K. Smith |
Here is how I got into stock photography. I started by taking classes from BetterPhoto. I received great feedback and love photography, and then bought some books on stock photography (use 'stock photography' as a search term in Amazon.com books, for example). I actually joined a regular stock photography agency, but became disenchanted with how long things took, even to get approved photos online, so I bailed out and explored the microstock agencies and have never looked back. I started with 3 photos in April 2005 and now only have about 300 photos online, but have to dated earned Many of the photos on my BP website are stock sellers. Shutterstock is STILL my biggest earner, they market all over the world. The standards keep rising, but many BPers have what it takes. You can click on the link below for more information:
Good luck,
|
|
|
|
||
|
M.Christine Duncan |
Thanks Carolina. I've heard a lot of good things about Shutterstock. It seems to be the one that consistantly comes up in conversation in a good way. I will definitley check it out. In the meantime I'm snap happy, trying to build a decent portfolio and yes, I'm taking a course through BP in the near future... after this month my life settles down a little, lol. Thanks for responding to my question! Have a good one.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Carolina K. Smith |
Christine, Enjoyed your jello shots and After the Tea, which would do well, I think, at Shutterstock. I notice you shoot with a Nikon body (Woof!), so another great (and it doesn't cost anything to read their forums) place to learn is Nikonians.org, a super resource for Nikon shooters. Carolina
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jerry Frazier |
$.25 per download. OMG! You have to be totally joking about that. I would give them the crappy piece of paper that it was printed on. Seriously, you can't be serious about $.25 per. WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! I'm MORE than shocked. I hate to say it, but you're being sucker-punched right in the groin. Ouch!
|
|
|
|
||
|
M.Christine Duncan |
Firstly, is "Woof" good or bad! lol. And Jerry, you're right in that $.25 a pic is not serious money! I do know I don't plan on letting micro stock do all the leg work for me. If you have suggestions for other ways that have worked for you getting in to the photo business, pleeeeeaaaasssse share?! I plan on getting involved in some show case events, festivals, word of mouth... but I do think stock isn't a bad idea for pics that aren't necessarily "art" or "beautiful" but would just end up sitting in my files making me nothing at all. Meantime, I thank you all so far for the advice and encouragement... I'm sooo new to this it's not funny. Well... it's sorta funny. sigh. lol It's been a long day!
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jerry Frazier |
Sorry. $.25 is nothing, not better than nothing. That's seriously horrible. I can't believe people do that. Do you know how much those people would have to pay if they hired someone and licensed their work? My god, thousands upon thousands. It all makes sense now; all the influx of stock shooters into other fields. If that's any indication of the stick industry, don't do it. Just stay away from that. That's a joke. You should start by doing the other things you said. Stop that stock stuff. If you want to get inot stuff like that, shoot for local shops and stuff and make tons more than $.25 per image. Maybe there are stock agencies that offer better pay?
|
|
|
|
||
|
M.Christine Duncan |
So are regular stock agencies difficult to get involved with... I've heard you either need to be pro already, or exceptionally talented? (meaning I've got a ways to go!!!) Someone on another thread said they found it easy to hang their work on consignment or on display in offices, dentists and doctors offices with a business card tucked into the frame? Does this really work?
|
|
|
|
||
|
R K Stephenson |
Hi, Connie, Not to pound on Shutterstock, which fills a need. But people should be aware that posts such as Carolina's have a self-serving side. She is posting the exact same message every time there is a hint of stock photography in any forum thread. The reason is that if you follow her link to Shutterstock and sign up she gets a commission on any photos that you sell. IMHO this is something anyone posting an affiliate link should say up front when making these types of posts. It is certainly information worth knowing when evaluating the glowing report about Shutterstock results. Cheers, RK
|
|
|
|
||
|
Carolina K. Smith |
To RK, It is apparant that you have not read all of my posts, as they are not exactly all the same. I have mentioned, in the past, the SMALL possibility of referral earnings, but everyone these days knows (commonly understands that links to a commercial site may (or may not) benefit the poster. There is nothing wrong with this, since this in no way ever hurts the earnings of the photographer... not one penny. As I respond to threads involving microstock, I share the current thoughts on my mind, and simply what my earnings are. I have been a member of BP since 2004, often contributing comments on others photographs, taken classes here, etc. So, RK, you shouldn't be pounding on me either... as the forums are here to share, and this 'business of photography' forum is about sharing experiences, quesitons, answers on making money in photography. I have 5 Nikon bodies, over a dozen lenses, have won many photo contests, and chose to market my work through microstock, even though I was told by a respected instructor here (actually more than one) at BP that I have the vision and talent to make it in major stock agencies (and in fact I was invited to join a 'macro' agency, which I did for a while. I will continue to share my responses to others questions, even if I leave out the unneccessary (for reasons explained above)'I may/may not get .03 per download from a referral. I earn from my other full time profession in the mid 6 figures (yes, mid six figures) annually, so I hardly need the pennies a possible referral might bring to me... so please don't insult my motives or second guess (incorrectly) why I post. People may have their own opinions as to whether a microstock agency is for them or not... their are axes to grind from those who only see major stock agencies as valid... but look at all the major stock agencies buying microstock agencies up (Getty-iStock, Jupiter Images-Stockexpert, etc). So the lines are blurring... there is room for all. My reports on Shutterstock are not, as you put it 'glowing'... they are simple FACTS that help other photographers here make choices, whether it is worth their time to try out, explore, or choose not to get involved. I don't start threads on microstock, I share my perspective... that's what forums are for. So how about you play nice in the sandbox here.
|
|
|
|
||
|
R K Stephenson |
Hi, Carolina, My intention isn't to "pound on you" but, gee, I seem to hit a nerve. First of all, just because somebody makes an assertion it doesn't automatically become a "simple FACT". Statements, assertions, opinions all need to be looked at with a critical eye. You say your posts are to "help other photographers here make choices". Fine, I will accept that at face value. My comments are also to help people make informed choices. To further help them make choices, I am saying that your figures are unusual. I'm not questioning your veracity but there are very few people who are going to put 300 images up on any microsite and enjoy 1500+ sales per month unless they have a very specialized niche. My opinion is that an informed decision requires full disclosure of relevant facts. A relevant fact is that the link one provides is an affiliate link. To me, that would be playing nice in the sandbox. Cheers, RK
|
|
|
|
||
|
Carolina K. Smith |
Hi RK, I tally my earnings weekly, not by the number of sales (downloads), but simply by the dollar amount. While I do only have ~ 300 photos online, I pretty much submit these same photos actively to 9 microsites. Not every photo will be accepted by every microsite. But it is like replicating the marketing force by a potential of 9... that is not dilution, but working smart. Once you have worked hard on a particular file, the uploading, in my opinion, is easy and it Some photos will sell better at one microsite than another. One reason why is that some designers tend to search their 'favorite' agency, i.e., the agencies do have somewhat different buyers from other agencies. Or they may have a subscription package or deal on credits to use. Or they are after certain photographer's works where the photographer has decided to become exclusive to one microstock agency. In any case, I currently earn between $150-$250 per week, and I have just kept a running total. While I may have some shots with a medical flavor that some might consider a niche, I think it is more a matter of quality and understanding what designers Supposedly the best selling shots are 'people shots', which I don't do, because I don't really enjoy that genre. Perhaps this will shed some light.
Carolina
|
|
|
|
||
|
M.Christine Duncan |
Now, THIS is an interesting discussion! Gaining alot of valuable insight here. But could someone get back to the real question.... on average, is stock photog in general, difficult to get into?
|
|
|
|
||
|
R K Stephenson |
Hi, Christine, I don't do stock photography so this is FWIW. There are dozens of stock photography discussions on other forums on the 'Net. The general consensus is: Stock photography with the older, higher paying agencies is less profitable than it has been historically and the agencies are more selective. You must present them with a good sized portfolio of high quality images that fill a need for them and be a be able to produce regular, high quality additions. Micro sites are easy to get into, but you have to manage expectations. Unless you're producing abstracts, creating Illustrator images (vice photos), or producing quality studio shots advertisers/webmasters are interested in, your are likely to see very modest sales. (Check out the "Most Popular" at Shutterstock or any micro site for examples of their best sellers. You're going to see a lot of illustrators rather than photographers.) As far as managing expectations, the most common figures I have seen are an average of 50 cents to a dollar per image per year. Cheers, RK
|
|
|
|
||
|
M.Christine Duncan |
Thanks RK, that's exactly what I was wanting to know... I've got a lot more research to do and lot's of time to do it. I have checked out "most popular" at a couple sites, and I'm currently watching top winners here at BP closely too. I'm aware I have a long way to go still, in regards to my own skills.... and that's okay for now! Very cool to hear everyone elses take on this subject. Thanks everyone.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Sharon Day |
I am a microstocker and proud of it. When I was considering it I had people advise me to stay away from microstock and to hold out for traditional stock where I would make much more on the sale of a photo. After 4 months of my photos sitting at a site doing nothing I pulled them all and put them on Shutterstock with no regrets. Wish I had done it sooner! For anyone interested in microstock email me through my gallery. I have a Word doc I put together with a few tips and links to a couple of sites. It's free with my compliments!
|
|
|
|
||
|
M.Christine Duncan |
Thanks Sharon, this seems to be a hot topic! I've been on other threads since posting this one and the arguments for pro micro stock and con are equally compelling!
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||