How to sell your images???

Do you own a digital camera and like to take photos? Do your friends sometimes tell you that your photos look good and that you would be able to make a living taking photos? And have you ever thought about selling your photos? If yes, please continue reading carefully.

I have been thinking for a while, if I should try to sell my photos on the Internet as it was tempting to earn money easily, which would help me to reimburse the investment for the expensive photographic equipment. On the other hand, I was afraid, what some stranger would do with my photos and if they would be abused. I finally decided to take a chance.

I started searching websites, reading discussion forums and consulting with professional photographers. Shutterstock photo bank, iStockPhoto, Dreamstime and few other microstocks seemed like the best ones out of the massive quantity. I was quite astonished by the price I would get if I sell my photos ranging from 20 cents to a few dollars. This price seemed to be undervalued for my photography, which takes a lot of time and effort. On the other hand, micro stocks have a huge number of visitors, so I should be able to sell something. I already know that after a few months of constant uploading of my photos to microstocks that it was a good step. You can indeed earn quite a nice amount of money. If you are diligent and choose the topics properly you can make a living out of it.

The truth is you might only get 30 cents per photo, but the photo can be sold every day (and often not just once). So one single photo can earn you more than $ 100 within one year in one microstock ! Of course it is better not to just rely on what you know will sell the best. Do not expect your first photo will be a thriller.

Simply do not be scared to experiment, try different techniques, images and ideas. The market will dictate what photos are wanted, it just takes time to find out what shots are the biggest sellers.

The first step - Registration

There are several systems that offer the sale of your photos to newspapers, magazines, advertising agencies and individuals. Same initial procedure applies at all of them. You need to be registered. Registering to multiple systems all at once is the best (meaning one registration after another but all in one day). Then just wait for a confirmation email to arrive in your mailbox and you can start uploading your first photos.

Registration is usually very easy, but not at ISTOCK PHOTO photo bank. This seller will not allow you to continue until you pass their test! It is better to carefully read manuals, which preceded the inspection questions.

Uploading photos to the systems

Upload images or Upload files section for inserting photos is everywhere. In most cases you have more options.

Inserting to website
This is the original method, nowdays old and mostly very slow. You select a specific file from your computer, click on add and a long upload procedure through web page will start. This takes several minutes even on faster lines. This way you can upload a few pictures at once. The system is usually even slower and you do not know how many photos has already been uploaded and how many of them are still pending.

Flash
Some photo banks have their own specific solutions through FLASH, it is more convenient, you can insert any number of photographs at the same time and you can mark them comfortably with CTRL + click the left button mouse. Upload of photos is as slow as the input via web, but you have a greater comfort and control over the dispatch.

Ftp
This transfer is characteristic for its transparency, speed and maximum comfort. You can get Ftp access at every photo bank when registering. Ftp is mostly identical with the entry on your account via a page in a browser.


Your work does not stop after the successful transmission of photos to the photo bank site. You need to describe your work adequately. The name, description, the categorisation and mainly keywords are an essential part of good sales. This is a process that each photo bank must undergo . If your insert your photos to a few banks it will be better to save your information. If you use Photoshop for picture editing, it's very easy (File - File Info).

Waiting for a reconciliation of your bid

If you have done everything described in the previous steps, you just have to wait patiently for an answer. Your work with photos is temporarily ended. Identifier PENDING or clearly explanatory icon will appear next to the photo if it is safely stored in photo bank. Then comes the verdict ...

The verdict and reaction varies. Lets take a look at the major micro stocks in what they can do with your film. Of course, if it appears that it has been accepted (some Photobanks will send it to your registered address via mail, others do not) then everything is alright. If your photo will not get accepted , which does happen at the beginning of this process to half of the applications at the very minimum, this means that your photo is not meeting their required standards. You just have to be patient and try again and again.

Here is a description of several major microstocks, to whom is worth offering your photos to:

Shutterstock.com - the time for acceptance - about 1 to 3 days

The most difficult hurdle to get over at this photo bank is to get your foot in the door. If you do not pass the first time, you get another attempt in a month. Shutterstock.com throws away mainly the images, which repeats within the series, so if you have one theme photographed ten times, send these photos gradually and mix them with others. They specifically have no use for penetratively adjusted images. When editing, do not SHARPEN, software accentuate colors and pay attention to noise. Also pay attention to a total depth of image sharpness. They prefer photos with greater depth.

Dreamstime.com - the time for acceptance - about 4 days

Basically same rules apply as at Shutterstock.com.

Fotolia.com - the time for acceptance - about 1 day

They are not so demanding at Fotolia, but sometimes they refuse you regardless.

Stockexpert.com - the time for acceptance - about 2 days

They are quite demanding and earnings are not so profitable, as at the previous ones.

123RF.com - the time for acceptance - about 1-2 day

Also not too demanding, as the Shutterstock.com or Dreamstime. com. They are particular about noise and bad light. This is the place to go, if you do not have totally professional images.

iStockphoto.com - the time for acceptance - about 7-10 days

Very demanding, for strictly professional photography only. Send only the best of the best.

Bigstockphoto.com - the time for acceptance - even two weeks!

Less demanding than Shutterstock.com or Dreamstime.com. Beware of good composition and noise.


If your photo is successful at one photo bank, the same photo can be denied by the other. But if you are patient, you will figure out what does each photo bank prefer and what they dislike or mismatch. Make sure the interference in the photos created by graphical programs is not too strong. Photo bank people will investigated your photos to the smallest detail. On the other hand, do not be over-concerned. You have nothing to loose, only to gain.