| Selling stock photography is a huge business. There | | | | exposed. |
| are many agencies that need high quality stock | | | | - Don't use any photos that have harsh shadows. |
| photos but are unable to take them themselves or | | | | Using a light box will help you eliminate harsh |
| it's not in their budget to hire a professional | | | | shadows. You can either buy these or make them. |
| photographer. They have to turn to stock photo | | | | Make sure your stock photography pictures are |
| agencies to find the photo they need for their | | | | marketable. Go to some stock photography websites |
| project. These agencies are made up of thousands | | | | and find out what they are looking for. Many of them |
| of photographers who submit their pictures for | | | | have lists of images they need. Don't submit pictures |
| approval. The pictures are reviewed against many | | | | that look like snapshots, they will be rejected. Many |
| standards to make sure they are high quality. Once | | | | photo agencies specifically tell you not to submit any |
| accepted, the photo is added to their photo libraries | | | | pictures of flowers, pets and trees, they have too |
| and their photo search. The photographer earns a | | | | many of those. |
| percent of every sell for as long as the picture | | | | If you take pictures of people, you will need to |
| remains in the photo agencies gallery. | | | | submit a model release with your image. Because of |
| If you are going to make money as a stock | | | | this, people pictures are in high demand. Lifestyle |
| photographer, you are going to need a lot of photos, | | | | shots with people are one of the biggest sellers. |
| we're talking thousands! Take your camera with you | | | | When you submit your photos, make sure that you |
| everywhere and take pictures of everything. Look | | | | keyword your photo with as many words as you |
| through your current photo library and see if there's | | | | can. This helps people to find your photos. Without |
| anything you can use. | | | | good key wording, your picture will probably never |
| If you want to sell stock photography you have to | | | | be found in the photo libraries. Also, make sure that |
| make sure that your photographs are high quality. | | | | you put in a good title and description. Make sure the |
| To be high quality, make sure that you do these | | | | words you use in your title, description and keywords |
| things: | | | | accurately describe your picture. |
| - Use at least a 4 megapixel camera, the bigger the | | | | You can also create your own website for selling |
| megapixels the more money you can earn. Digital SLR | | | | stock photography. You can buy products that are |
| cameras are best but not necessary. | | | | designed specifically for selling your own photographs |
| - Make sure to look at your photo at 100% size. | | | | or by selling other stock photographer photographs |
| Remove any defects, artifacts and scratches. | | | | and take a percent of their image sells. |
| - You may need to correct the color, brightness and | | | | Selling stock photography is not a get rich scheme, |
| contrast. | | | | it's a long process. Most importantly, don't get |
| - Buy a tool that can clean up your photo, there are | | | | discouraged if you don't make money right away. |
| many good ones out there. | | | | Keep submitting high quality stock photos and you will |
| - Make sure the image is not over exposed or under | | | | eventually have a good cash flow. |