Stock photography is a huge market that never seems to be satisfied. Companies and agencies are always looking for fresh content. Agencies comment that they don't have enough photographers on file and usage rates are high. So how do you take advantage of what stock photography can offer you?
Photography that sells successfully as stock tends to be either generic with human interest or technical in nature. Generic imagery means that the photos can be used to illustrate different concepts or sell a variety of products. A successful stock shot could be used on the cover of a magazine or book or even a web site. It could also be used in a promotional brochure for an architect's practice or a point of purchase display. Typical stock shots include a couple at the beach, a family having a picnic in the park or a young executive working at the office.
Images that feature a symbolic element also tend to sell well. A photograph of a camera mounted on a tripod on a business card is a symbolic element that says the business card belongs to a photographer. Photographs of various dishes of food can be used to represent a restaurant.
Stock photographs that sell illustrate something as simple a situation or may be as complex as a mood. Backgrounds also need to be considered so they naturally tie in to the main subject matter of the photograph.
People in photographs for stock need to be attractive, smartly dressed, interesting and doing something related to the setting. Try also to include as many ethnic groups as possible with people; if you don't it won't go unnoticed. People should be the subject of the photograph, interact with each other or something in the scene. Stock photographs need to be up-to-date with clothing style, hair or detract by focusing on timeless subject matter such as nature.
There are two ways to market your stock photography; work for yourself and do your own marketing (the most difficult path) or have an agency represent you. Having an agency is certainly the easiest path to tread, particularly when starting out but the percentage of the fee is high, usually 50%. However a single sale can still net you a $1000 or more.
Usually most stock agencies will be happy to review your work. Contact them to identify their procedures and requirements. As agencies deal in volume you will be expected to submit at least 200 photographs, the more the better. But use this as your rule for submission; the photographs must be of the highest quality standards and marketable. Reputable online photography courses will cover stock photography and show you how to take advantage of this market.
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