Stock Photography: Hello Everyone, I've been reading all your valuable insights and advice but have never signed up. Now that I have a question, I thought it's long over due to become...

Shereen

Hello Everyone,
I've been reading all your valuable insights and advice but have never signed up. Now that I have a question, I thought it's long over due to become a member.
So I needed your advice. What do you think of stock photography--selling your photos to those online sites such as iStock, Fotolia, Shutterfly, etc???
Is it worth it? Are there any pitfalls?
Do you have any personal experience in doing this?
Who maintains the rights to the photos?
I have thousands of photos that I think would sell well, but Im not sure how to get started. I also dont want to be taken advantage of.
Any advice or suggestions that you may have would be most appreciated!

Thank you all for all these years of help.

NiagaraJim Loc: Niagara Falls, ON

Checkout the websites to see what is wanted. Make sure to update the exif data for your photos. Do some reading at each site to see if you maintain your rights to your pictures once submitted.

Just a note I did not have much luck as I did not have anything in the subjects they seemed to want.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

I tried one with photos I thought deserved attention. THey came back with so many demands on the photos, I gave it up.

Sarge69

katbandit Loc: new york city

i was going to try to sell mine too on some stock photo sites ..a friend of mine who was in graphic designing had advised me not to sell them as they become very demanding of you ..they make more money than you do..and it isn't worth the trouble..i looked into some of the stock photo sites and read some of their requirements and got discouraged..it really wasn't worth it to me ..

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

Shereen wrote:

Hello Everyone, br I've been reading all your valu... (show quote)

Hi Shereen first, a good welcome to the hog. Now, the field of stock photography is so well saturated its almost impossible to break into it. You have to be so unique. yes, there are many demands put on you, and the pay scale is very inconsistent. You have to find out, is it for local, regional, state, national or international use, etc.....If they take you on, you have to make sure that you give them what they want...ALL the time or they drop you. In my opinion, send some shots to these companies and forget you sent them until and if they get back to you. I have found out I sell more of my work at weekend art and craft shows, than in stock shots.

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

Shereen wrote:

Hello Everyone, br I've been reading all your valu... (show quote)

Hi Shereen first, a good welcome to the hog. Now, the field of stock photography is so well saturated its almost impossible to break into it. You have to be so unique. yes, there are many demands put on you, and the pay scale is very inconsistent. You have to find out, is it for local, regional, state, national or international use, etc.....If they take you on, you have to make sure that you give them what they want...ALL the time or they drop you. In my opinion, send some shots to these companies and forget you sent them until and if they get back to you. I have found out I sell more of my work at weekend art and craft shows, than in stock shots.

Shereen

Thank you all for your input!

I also noticed that some of the sites are too demanding with little return for profit. Having said that, there are other sites that seem to have very little requirments (basically submit your photos and if they sell you make money), with 60% - 85% goes to the photographer. I'm not sure if these are gimmicks or real.

I just wanted a means to turn my passion for photography into a small profit generating machine. I don't mean that I'm expecting to retire on this, not have a second income. I would be happy if I sold some of my pics for $10 or $20 each.

Are there other avenues to persue my goals?

Thank you all again for your feedback.

CamObs Loc: South America (Texas)

1. It's a pain
2. Can't make a lot of $.
3. Everybody is in it.
4. The people who run them are not very nice.
5. You could do better with niche photography. Find your passion.

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

Shereen wrote:

Thank you all for your input! br br I also notice... (show quote)

Yes, like i mentioned earlier, Look up some outdoor art shows. Make a booth (requires an initial investment) and tour the art shows in your area. People will come, and you will sell.

katbandit Loc: new york city

I have seen folks selling their photos at flea markets for a few dollars each with matting...most of the time you need to pay for a table so be sure that the spot is reasonable and that the photos are displayed nicely..I would think that if you don't go overboard with a markup and the photos are marketable you should do ok...
Flowers would appeal to gardeners ..tools could appeal to a man for his workshop ..you get the idea...

Shereen

Thank you all for your suggestions.