Selling Stock Photos Online - Good or Bad?

[djmorgan]

The customers who use stock photos are, advertising agencies, printers, web designers, publishers, craft, writers etc. flowers and macros sell but in the minority, what sells in the majority are posed shots with models at say a dentist, shopping centre, market, home, etc. then food shots.

most stock agencies allow you to view their offerings so would be a good idea to go and have a look at whats on offer, http://www.istockphoto.com/browse/latest/ also don't assume just because you take a photo it will be on sale, most inspectors are brutal photographers and agencies only want the best of your work, this means rarely getting anything accepted higher than ISO 100, and size is also a factor. And key wording your images is also an important factor

My sole reason for getting into stock was to see if I was a good enough photographer to get my images accepted, and then to see if anybody would like them enough to pay money for them, in both accounts I am now satisfied, the money I don't need, but I do get a buzz knowing there are publications, books and magazines that have my photos in them.

David

[ddt0725]

The customers who use stock photos are, advertising agencies, printers, web designers, publishers, craft, writers etc. flowers and macros sell but in the minority, what sells in the majority are posed shots with models at say a dentist, shopping centre, market, home, etc. then food shots.

most stock agencies allow you to view their offerings so would be a good idea to go and have a look at whats on offer, http://www.istockphoto.com/browse/latest/ also don't assume just because you take a photo it will be on sale, most inspectors are brutal photographers and agencies only want the best of your work, this means rarely getting anything accepted higher than ISO 100, and size is also a factor. And key wording your images is also an important factor

My sole reason for getting into stock was to see if I was a good enough photographer to get my images accepted, and then to see if anybody would like them enough to pay money for them, in both accounts I am now satisfied, the money I don't need, but I do get a buzz knowing there are publications, books and magazines that have my photos in them.

David

From what I have seen, vector files seem to be very popular amongst sellers, not sure how much they sell of them.

I would think that with today's craze being with texture overlays and backgrounds that those would do well. I have seen some really nice ones for sale. I get mine free though so maybe that is the route most people would take before buying.

Wouldn't pet photos do well for calendars and such? Like my purebred cocker or say Steve's blue eyed white cat or his dogs or Dave's blue merle Australian shepherd for a few examples? I know I would buy a wall calendar with their photo on it along with a number of pet photos in our pet thread in a heartbeat!

Is it better to submit to various publishers directly after reading up on their guidelines?