Max Greene Loc: San Diego, CA.

Does anyone make a living by selling there photos thru an on-line
service (Shutter Point, I stock photo, AWAI)

Does anyone have experience using a on-line photo service ?

Picdude Loc: Ohio

I have never done it. I have heard on here from many members that it is an EXTREMELY competitive market and tough to sell in as pictures are judged on clarity, sharpness, content, post-processing, etc. I have seen posts on here from several seasoned photographers on here stating how difficult it is to sell in that environment.

If you go to the top of the forum page, click on Search, then type in Stock Photos in the search box you will find a number of posts that describe other members' experiences and guidlines for your endeaver.

Good Luck and hope you make a ton of money!

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

I've never done it - been tempted a few times but.......Like Picdude, I've read on here how extremely competitive the market is and I honestly believe if you get lucky enough to sell one on line - that's just what it is - pure luck. When a professional hesitates it makes you do a little thinking.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

Probably as rare as someone who has made a living selling ice to Eskimos.

billybob40

Your wanting to sell you work on line get into stock photography and lot of people make a good living at it. Sign up for the news letter here http://www.thephotographerslife.com/workshops/ she will show you how it FREE.
The best place to sell and display you work is smugmug my site http://snapshots2010.smugmug.com/ it cost me $40. a year and have 5 domains going to it. I've had 26 point to it over time.
I buy domains on ebay and have them direct to my site that way you get traffic to you domian and built you site rate.
Good luck and have fun with it.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Of course it can be done, but it is not easy and you better be REALLY good.

My guess is the fact that you had to ask the question means you are not anywhere NEAR good enough to make a living at it. Just a guess, though.

Don't quit your day job!

billybob40

Your out taking pictures of this and that you can get paid for it in stock sites. Heres a news letter I got.
You’re busy. So how much time does it really take to start making money with stock photography? Bonnie, here, still filling in for Lori while she’s on maternity leave. Earlier this year, we ran an article called “The Math of Stock,” which showed how to make it to six figures in three years by uploading 20 photos per week to four online stock agencies. But 20 new, stock-worthy images per week means you’ve got to be out there shooting pretty consistently (not to mention paying attention to what sells). Depending on how much spare time you have, that may be a lot for you. So, let’s cut that number in half and see what happens. Let’s assume you are starting from scratch with zero images in your portfolio. From there, you upload 10 photos per week to four different stock agencies. Assuming you’ll earn around $1 per image per month (a realistic figure, starting out), you’ll be earning $160 after your first month, $320 after your second month, and $480 after your third month. That’s a total of $960 for your first three months. Keep submitting 10 new photos each week, and by this time next year, you’ll have made $12,480. In your second year, you'll make $35,520. In your third year, you'll make $58,560. It just keeps going up from there. Notice how, even though you don’t increase your weekly workload (you’re still only uploading 10 new images a week to four different stock sites), your income keeps growing. It’s not six figures, but it’s pretty darn good for something you already like to do. Of course, this is assuming you can upload 10 new photos per week, that they're all accepted, and that you can maintain an average income of $1 per image per month. To do that, you'll need to consistently take good photos that sell. And you need to reserve some time at night or on weekends to learn how to edit your images before you submit them. But even if this is something you only do on the side, you can see how quickly it can start to pay off. Pour yourself into it full-time, and who knows how far you’ll go! -- Bonnie Bonnie Caton Editorial Manager, AWAI Travel Division Creator, Breakfast Stock Club P.S. Of course, to earn five... and eventually six figures, you need to take that critical first step, and just get started. With The 30-Day Stock Success Program, you can cut to the chase and start turning your photos into profits by as early as next month. In fact, I’ll guarantee you get accepted into a stock agency in 30 days or less when you sign up today. Go here now to save 50% -- and get a new bonus report packed with shortcuts to help you earn your first $10,000 in stock royalties: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/gss/prem/getstarted/. **************************** The Right Way to Travel is a FREE newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends. It is coming to you because you are either a member of The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program or Turn Your Pictures into Cash, or you have opted to receive information about getting paid to travel from the AWAI Travel Division. ** Find an upcoming workshop or photography expedition, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/our_next_workshop ** More get-paid-to-travel resources, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/get_started (c) 2012 American Writers & Artists Inc. 245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102 Delray Beach, FL 33483 Phone (561) 278-5557 Fax (561) 278-5929 http://www.awaionline.com/contact To LEARN MORE, visit: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com http://www.thephotographerslife.com
All it is is time, you thinking about it do it.
A lot of stock sites will tell you what they need. You don't have to be the best photographer in the world, just what they need at that time. Just search stock pfotos and start put your picture on there, it dose not 1/2 to be your master piece. Good Luck

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Sounds like an add for Amway. :)

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

I've been on Red Bubble www.redbubble.com/ since 2007. I do not make a living selling online. However, the online sites are a good place to get feedback on your photos and see what other artists like. That will give you a better chance of selling your work locally at shows or galleries.

Pulseight Loc: Charlevile, Au

I'm going to assume you didn't give much thought to this statement before posting. I had the opinion that someone posts a question, they want positive feed back. You walked all over Max before he's taken his first step, with no knowledge of his work or capabilities. Then there is your snide reply to BillyBob with your Amway remark. Makes you sound like a failure yourself, CaptainC in selling your work on line. Or is it just that you're naturally a vicious SOB? Because that's how you're portraying yourself, and it's not a pretty sight.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I gave it plenty of thought. A person skilled enough to constantly produce work that would sell online is almost certainly familiar with the situation in the stock photography business and how it has been ruined by iStock and firms like it. Photographers who used to do quite well are making a small fraction of their previous income. I stand by the statement.

I guess you found MisterWilson's comments OK - about selling ice to Eskimos. I rather liked it.

As to BillyBob, it was him quoting the Amway-like puff piece from that website. It DOES sound just like the wording from some multi-level marketing deal. BIG promise IF and IF and IF. So my comment was not directed at BillyBob at all - but at that website.

If posters just want "positive feedback" then why bother? So no matter what, we just tell 'em how great that underexposed image is. Great way to improve.

Well, one thing I never have done is make a personal attack. Unlike you, you vicious SOB. :-)

Your website link does not work.

Pulseight Loc: Charlevile, Au

Thank you for you clarification CaptainC. My statement stands.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

here it is:
http://www.puls8digitalimaging.me/

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

I don't make a living at it, but it more than pays for my hobby. A minimum of $100/month to $300/month.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Considering the state of stock photography today, I'd say that is pretty good. Sure hope that is not too vicious.