How to Sell Your Photos at Stock Photo Sites

Many of your avocations can be turned into business ideas that can create you money. As a digital photographer you will be able to sell your best images online. Here are a few ways to do that.

Digital photography allows you to capture an assortment of images and then modify them into a variety formats. For example, remember when you used to visit the carnival or funfair and they took those old-fashioned looking pictures of people? The pictures looked faded but that was simply a sepia tone. You can create the same impression with your photo processing software when you edit a photo. By applying a variety of different filters and selective editing you can spin the same image into several saleable variations.

Stock photography is one of the best ways to break into the online digital photography market. You will be able to sell your photos to others who need pictures for websites, newsletters, brochures, magazines, ezines and other media. By listing your unique images on stock photography sites you can add a fresh flavor to what is currently being offered.

Locales, people, especially celebrities, news shots and other shots that only you are able to capture may lead to enormous future profits. It's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. And having your camera handy of course.

First, understand how the stock photography business works. On these sites, buyers normally purchase a use license rather than an exclusive right to the image. This means you can sell the same image over and over again without any further work on your part. Sometimes a buyer may require exclusive rights which will be considerably more expensive.

As a photographer, you'll make more money if your photos are leased as opposed to being sold. The one time sale may net you some immediate payment but the lease will provide a continuous source of income off each photograph. Many people can pay to lease the photograph at once. Through the leasing process, your work will be viewed by a large audience.

Start by researching current stock photography sites. Find one that offers the leasing option to customers and also has an easy-to-navigate site. Begin here and test the waters with your work.

Now, all you need to do is produce some quality work. View other stock photographs. What do they have in common? Are the pictures clear? Can you discern all of the features of the photo? At least, your photographs need to be clear with the subjects in the foreground.

Another consideration is the type of digital photos you're trying to sell. More of the same that already exists won't be received well. The stock photography companies are intent on making money too. Don't be afraid to try some new ideas for holiday photos or for day-to-day photos. They will let you know what does and does not sell.

As you create a body of work, start a website or blog with links to the stock photography sites featuring your work. This will send more people to consider your photographs and may lead to other opportunities in the future.