Stock photo Outlets: Hi all, Short time member with my first post here. I’ve been a long time serious hobby photog recently retired, now with more time to shoot. I’m considering trying...

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

Hi all,
Short time member with my first post here. I’ve been a long time serious hobby photog recently retired, now with more time to shoot. I’m considering trying a stock photo house and would appreciate your thoughts on which one(s) have worked for you and pitfalls to be ware of. I’ve enjoyed the great information and pics.
Alan

The Watcher

Get a copy of the Photographers Market from Amazon. It has lots of information in it. consider buying used, a lot of times they look like new.
Search for stock photography here on the site. https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search-topic-list?q=stock+photography&sectnum=0&username=

https://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Market-2018-Noel-Rivera/dp/1440352534/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1539483982&sr=1-1&keywords=photographers+market+2018

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

Check out SmugMug. A friend suggested to me. It works for my purposes.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

Alan Wolslegel wrote:

Hi all,
Short time member with my first post here. I’ve been a long time serious hobby photog recently retired, now with more time to shoot. I’m considering trying a stock photo house and would appreciate your thoughts on which one(s) have worked for you and pitfalls to be ware of. I’ve enjoyed the great information and pics.
Alan

First you have to understand what stock photo sites are looking for, the stock photo sites won't tell you. Second, stock photo sites are looking for images that they think will sell, they also have certain requirements that have to met met to be acceptable to them, those requirement are both the quality of the photos and other requirements like model releases, no visible trademarks, etc.

Also, realize that stock photo agencies usually pay you only a very small commission on each of your photos that sell. I'm talking pennies in most cases, not dollars.

The people who make significant income from stock photo agencies typically understand what can sell, so they understand the market. They also will have submitted hundreds if not thousands of photos.

Being successful with stock agencies can be done, BUT it is not quick and it is not easy.

pwc Loc: Los Angeles

It's not true that stock photo agencies pay only pennies. Microstock companies do, but traditional companies (Alamy, Getty, etc...) pay dollars, sometimes many, many dollars.

I use Alamy after trying out a variety of others. It's a lot of work to do right and I've put in half-hearted efforts over time. Sometimes paydays are good (my largest license was for around $400 and I received 50% of that) and then I had a sale this week for $1.26. No, the decimal was mistyped. That one sucked.

I've tried Photoshot before and I would suggest avoiding them. I have had a number of images "show up" on sites with no record of a sale on my side from Photoshot, only to be shown an invoice from the end user saying they paid for it properly.

OneShotOne18

This is my opinion but it is not typical for everyone who has used stock agencies. I hope you don't find pitfalls as I did and you can find it rewarding. After many many attempts, I have given up on listing any of my photos. It's just not woth the time nor effort ( for me ). Esp since the reward is so little. Just as the previous post said. They are picky. You stand the risk of them publishing your items w/o your payment and possibly your knowledge. Yeah, I'm sure there are legit agencies but it will take a lot of time to build up to the point where you can get top or at least close to top money for your shots. Bottomline, ( 4 me ) at 75 I have bigger fish to fry. Good luck to you if you decide to embark on this endeavour.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

These folks send me e-mails about stock photography quite a bit, would probably give you some answers, if you just read the e-mails , don't send any money until your sure, they are trying to sell courses, trips , etc. but do give tips, stock photo agency names, requirements etc. Might Help you, I'm not so interested after I read about it, Bob.

https://www.greatescapepublishing.com/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some choices -

http://digital-photography-school.com/7-tips-to-help-sell-your-images-with-stock-photography-agencies/
http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/selling-stock-photography.shtml
http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/selling-stock-photography/

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

I will do that, thanks.

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

I will check them out.

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

Not being easy is fine I have the time now lol, great feedback, thanks.

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

I sincerely appreciate your comments and, great info.

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

Kind of what I was expecting to hear actually. Thanks.

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

Awesome, thanks

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

bobmcculloch wrote:

These folks send me e-mails about stock photography quite a bit, would probably give you some answers, if you just read the e-mails , don't send any money until your sure, they are trying to sell courses, trips , etc. but do give tips, stock photo agency names, requirements etc. Might Help you, I'm not so interested after I read about it, Bob.

https://www.greatescapepublishing.com/

Thanks for the resources, I appreciate it.