Joe 88

ME TO

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

I ve had it for 8 years love it.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

Don't quit your day job, lots of luck.

scg3

I've been in stock since 1971 and even wrote a book about it in 1980. The field changed radically when digital and the internet came along. Now it's a worldwide business with prices ranging from less than a dollar to many hundreds. I don't make the kind of money I did years ago but it's still an important part of my professional life. As ever, it's a level playing field where names and reputations mean nothing, only talent and discipline. That said, getting into the big agencies like Getty, Corbis and Alamy is virtually impossible -- they have all the photographers they want and more! I got into Alamy in '05 and was grandfathered into Getty...lucky me, although Getty snares 3/4 of their fees (it used to be 50/50; those were the days!). A suggestion: Picfair (.com) is a British outfit where they don't take a commission per se, only a surcharge on a price you set yourself -- lots a luck guessing what it should be! They seem open to new contributors but I'm only just getting involved with 'em and have no tales to tell. Whatever you do, check out reactions on the 'net to any agency you're contemplating. I've had a couple of dozen agents over the years and I never liked any of them but they run the business and you can't do without them. Another suggestion: look into Jim Pickerell's stock photo newsletter -- he's as close to a stock photo sage as there is; a very good guy. Oh and finally, remember that complete captions and lots of keywords are absolutely necessary. Me, I use a program called Keyword Perfect. It takes getting used to but sure beats dreaming up the synonyms. Best of luck!

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

Thank you for your excellent feedback. My intent with the stock photo is primarily to see what the interest would be in my photo’s and hopefully make a little to support my “habit” so I’m not expecting a lot

scg3

That's a wise attitude. At its best, stock's not a big moneymaker and it takes a long time to build up an agency inventory and have it make an impact. The good part is that if you pay your proverbial dues, eventually you develop a certain momentum and money does begin to show. Stock's definitely a long term commitment. I pursue it for the money -- of course! -- but also for the opportunity for my work to be seen by a worldwide audience, some of whom will hopefully buy some if it. Alamy boasts of thousands of photographers and tens of millions of pictures but on a 10,000-picture inventory I usually make a dozen or more sales per month, which is very heartening comment on my work even if some of the sales -- e.g. $6.35 -- are laughable if you have a sardonic sense of humor.

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

Actually I did quit my day job...I retired lol

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

I know it is a long process but a dozen sales monthly seems like more than most which must feel good that folks like your work.

scg3

It feels very good indeed!