| Stock photography sites have made it easier for | | | | your potential subject is something people are looking |
| photographers to sell their photos online. However, | | | | for. If you see that there is a market for your |
| just because you take photos does not mean a | | | | subject, but there are not that many photos of it |
| stock photo site, like Istockphoto for example, will | | | | available for purchase (such as less than 10,000 |
| accept them into their marketplace. To be able to sell | | | | images) chances are it's a good subject to start |
| your photos on a stock photo website, the website | | | | shooting. |
| must believe your images can sell. Fortunately, photo | | | | Plan Your Shoots: Professional photography doesn't |
| blogs throughout the Internet are providing advice on | | | | just happen on it's own. Plan your shots in advance. |
| how to sell your photos. Here are some helpful tips: | | | | First scout a location or subject. Get an idea for the |
| Narrow Your Focus: Yuri Arcurs, a well known | | | | type of lighting you want by visiting it during different |
| professional stock photographer, writes a blog full of | | | | times of the day and remember to take notes. Don't |
| interesting facts on how to sell stock photography. In | | | | forget to bring appropriate releases for the models |
| his blog post "What Should I Shoot and What Sells | | | | or property owners to sign. |
| Well" he tells his readers to develop a niche of their | | | | Selecting Keywords: Make sure to appropriately |
| own, and pursue it endlessly. I think that this works | | | | keyword your subject so that other people can find |
| with anything that you do. I really love food | | | | it online. Use stock photo keyword tools to properly |
| photography and felt a lot better once I realized that | | | | describe your photos. Another handy tip is to test |
| that was where I wanted to direct my focus. And | | | | the popularity of keywords through the Google |
| guess what? My photos got better. The better you | | | | AdWords keyword tool to determine the most |
| are at your subject, the more of a competitive edge | | | | effective combination that buyers might search for. |
| you will have within the marketplace. And remember, | | | | Sell your photos on multiple stock photography |
| if you are to develop a niche, make sure you are | | | | websites: Most stock photography sites are not |
| honest with yourself. Is this something you really | | | | exclusive, and allow you to sell the same photos on |
| care about? Do you love shooting it? If you're | | | | more than one site. The more exposure for your |
| devoted to your subject, the more likely you are to | | | | photos, the better your chances are of selling your |
| invest the time it takes to make your photos | | | | photos and increasing your monthly revenue. |
| compelling and genuine. | | | | Many of these bloggers make it clear that |
| Add Some Edginess: Arcurs also suggests having a | | | | photographers need to gear their efforts towards |
| selection of photos in your portfolio that have an | | | | producing photos that will sell on these stock photo |
| edgier feel (for the full details check out his article 'I | | | | sites. Unfortunately, this does not always encourage |
| Spy With My Little Eye'). This edgier feel can be | | | | creativity. Most stock photo sites expect certain |
| attained in a way that still enables you to sell your | | | | types of photos to sell, and often reject many good |
| photo. Arcurs calls this adding a little 'mess' to your | | | | photos in the process. I think things would be better |
| photo. In the photos displayed throughout his article, | | | | for buyers and photographers alike if the stock |
| there is always a distracting element. A portrait is | | | | photo site's standards for selecting photos was less |
| taken through glass, or through grass for example. | | | | strict. As time changes, you never know what kind |
| By adding a little 'mess' to a photo you make it | | | | of images buyers will be looking for. I think it's |
| visually engaging and inspire curiosity in your viewers. | | | | problematic to assume that buyers are not interested |
| If done right this is a recipe for increased sales. | | | | in more creative photography. Why not try putting it |
| Research the marketability of your subject: Is your | | | | in the market and see if it sells? If you give buyers |
| subject in demand? Are there already a lot of people | | | | more choices, they may use them. |
| shooting your subject? Perform a search and see if | | | | |