photosbyhenry Loc: Apple Valley MN

Has anyone had any experience in selling photos to a stock agency.

Lenslooker Loc: Vestal, NY

I deal with several stock photo companies. Most are very very picky about technical flaws such as artifacting and noise. The competition is intense but I have sold a few shots here and there. Don't expect a lot of money from sales. Most of the agencies offer the images as "royalty-free" and that's a disadvantange insofar as a shot that can be purchased for 25-cents can be used for any purpose. Also, the companies have different size requirements for submissions so be sure to check their submission guidelines before submitting images. If I can be of any further help, feel free to contact me.

CMSGT

I am on two stock photo sites. It is not worth the hassle,they are very picky for what you get paid. They make the big money. It takes all the enjoyment out of photography. Everyone has there on reasons for doing photography.They will reject a photo for the least little flaw to them,when the photo is very good.I stopped uploading about a year ago,now I am back to having fun again.I have said enough,hope this helps.

Joyfullee Loc: South FL

I'm on one of them. I absolutely agree with you.

When I started I was very excited that they accepted any of my photos and then some sold. The most discouraging part is what they pay and is the reason why I stopped submitting photos.

They make all the money, you do all the work, which includes a great amount of time. Taking the pics, deciding what to submit, choosing key words.

If one is a professional photographer, with a studio and all the bells and whistles, they will be able to make some "real" money, or is into photoshop and the creativity that can be produced.

It became very frustrating to me and lost my enjoyment of taking photos for a while. Being paid $1.00 for a photo when you've invested several hours is just not worth it, when the owners of the website are getting rich, off your work.

Something just not right about that.

NewSportPhoto.com

As a photo agency owner "sports" those sites like Istock and others have driven the price down so much, it has made it difficult for photographers to make a living. I used to sell a sports images for complete rights in the 10g range now do to the pricing of these cut rate agencies that has brought my pricing done 80%. I am considered a premium photo agency .. "that means premium priced" and I am being killed by istock and others who live off the hard work of others. they are about quantity not quality anymore. Thats how they make their money. sell 1000 images at 10 dollars a piece instead of one at 1000, and photographers allow it, because they as any artist what conformation of their work, and being accepted by these agencies gives them that. I can go on and on.. but it is up to the photographer to stop from being exploited.

billybob40

I spend about and hour a day on ebay and I see alot of people selling stock photos on there. But if you do water mark them heavy. Also go to this web site for info on stock photo look around this site great info on this. I just show you the email she sends me. GOOD LUCK

Dear Billy Bob,

On our last day in Venice, Rich recapped what we’d learned so far
about taking great pictures and selling them to magazines, newspapers,
stock agencies, and as fine art.

For fine art, he said, anything goes. If you like the photo,
hopefully someone else will, too.

The definition of fine art photography is really any kind of
photograph someone will hang on a wall. And the best way to sell
these kinds of photos, he said, is to start locally. Venice pictures
might sell well in an Italian restaurant and/or coffee shop (he taught
us how to get into that and print and price our work). But local
photos, within 30 miles of where you live, will likely sell a little
better.

For magazines, Rich said, the key is telling a story. If you’re
submitting only one photo, it should either illustrate a specific
travel article idea you have (a photo of a restaurant you’ve written
about, a gondola ride you took, a mask-maker you’re featuring, etc) or
it should be quintessential Venice (a photo of Venice’s many bridges,
waterways, gondoliers, sunsets, etc).

For stock, it’s about advertising something. You have to think about
why someone might buy that photo and what they might use it for. It
can’t have any identifiable people in it without a model release. And,
in most cases, it should include copy space so a buyer can turn it
into a banner on his website or a brochure for his Venetian masks.

I’m home in Virginia now and I can’t stop looking at my photos from
this trip.

I sent you a few of my favorites along with some pictures attendees
took. But take a look at these shots of attendees out enjoying
themselves, photographing the streets of Venice with a professional
photographer by their side to help them get the best pictures…

http://tinyurl.com/3n2blp6

Our next trip is to Thailand and we have just seven seats left, here:
http://www.thephotographerslife.com/phw/thailand/getstarted/

This Thailand expedition includes not one but two cities – Bangkok and
Chaing Mai -- and it was one of our attendee favorites from last year.


Your tour includes an elephant ride, temple tours, and a local Thai
cooking class – yum!

You’ll find details, prices, and a schedule, here:
http://www.thephotographerslife.com/phw/thailand/getstarted/

I hope you’ll join us on a trip soon.

- Lori

Lori Allen
Director, AWAI Travel Division

P.S. December is a great month to visit Thailand. Not only is the
weather nice, the shopping is outstanding and you can stock up on
gifts before the holiday that will save you a bundle. You’ll find
more details and a special $300 discount, here:
http://www.thephotographerslife.com/phw/thailand/getstarted/



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billybob40

I was on line the other day and was looking at NY fashon show and lots of people takeing pictures of model on the street. This was a video and they said some of the photos sell for a $1,000 a shot. And thats people the you and I. Well in Hollywood a still photographer can make $10,000 an hour. That can give you young photographer something to work for. Then you take photos of people and some things you will need a model release. On that go to www.aclu.org GOOD LUCK

Momsince1980

I uploaded 20 pictures yesterday. Two stock places shutterstock and big stock. Big stock accepted two. I now in one year have 3 photos total in stock. I don't understand really what they accept and don't accept.