Beginning Stock Photography

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20 Comments

Comment by Louise packham on June 23, 2009 at 10:49pm

Thank you for your advise. I will read the other comments and ask friends and family to give me a honest oppinion. once again thank you. I really like this site and the community here ;-)

Comment by Paul Wager on June 23, 2009 at 10:43pm

Hi Louise, you must first ascertain whether your photographs are of a high enough quality, uploading them here is a good start and ask for critical assessment, also ask friends for an honest appraisal and if possible seek the oppinions of professional photographers. Once you are satisfied you work is reaching the mark decide in what area of photography you want to work, there are many and once you have a name can be economically successful. Despite what all the adverts say selling micro is a disaster( read my previous comments). Selling through reputable libraries is difficult until you have a very good name and portfolio. You can sell prints at markets or through souvenire shops etc. but best of all financially is securing assignments such as local newspapers, local advertising, weddings, christenings etc.

Comment by Louise packham on June 23, 2009 at 10:28pm

Hi. I would like to start selling some of my pics but im not sure where to start. Im not sure they are good enough. Could some one give me a few tips?

Comment by Paul Wager on June 8, 2009 at 1:09pm

Hi Luis it is up to you if you give away your photos for a whole 25 cents each but think very carefully who is benefitting from your work by selling with micro, I can assure you it is not the photographer, would a sculptor or a painter sell their work for insanely low prices? NO. so why should photographers be so penalised and insulted? This system belittles and devalues photography and is destroying a profession.

Comment by luis on June 8, 2009 at 9:55am

hi guys im new in the micro bussines, i hope to learn from you
nice to meet you all

Comment by Paul Wager on May 28, 2009 at 9:09am

Hi Richard thanks for the welcome. Yes I have recently joined Photoshelter I was with Ozimages but found buyers were concentrating on mainly Australian images so made a change.

Comment by Richard Vincent on May 28, 2009 at 8:16am

Hey Paul,
Welcome too the group. Are you with photoshelter?

Comment by Paul Wager on May 28, 2009 at 12:23am

Hi Jova with stock some genres sell better than others but everything has a chance to sell. I know of a shot that sold and it was a wall with pealing paint baught by a paint company so if your serious photograph everything that may possibly be used by somebody but try to photograph as many of the more popular shots too.

Comment by Jova on May 27, 2009 at 11:38pm

whole $1 :)
more like 0.25$.

Comment by Paul Wager on May 27, 2009 at 11:35pm

Just jound this group and wanted to put in my 2 bobs worth. Micro stock is a con everybody wins except the photographer and because of microstock photography is constantly being devalued. A friend of mine recently sold a photo exclusive rights for $6000 if he had been with a micro stock agency he may have made $1 but these chances are disappearing fast. Sorry but micro stock should be outlawed they are preying on amatuers who are happy to earn a dollar and destroying the photography industry in the process. There are some reputable agencies out there but if you are having difficulty getting one to take you on then try a site like photoshelter but not their royalty free area.

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