When starting out selling your photos to stock photo websites, the big question is what photos do you submit to these sites? The ebooks and courses that tell you how to make cash from your camera say that you should upload anything, especially those images sitting around on your computer.
As wide a variety as possible.
Wrong! Photo buyers are looking for specifics and if you want to make money you need to listen to them.
They will ignore your images no matter how great they are if they don't fit into their image requirements.
The debate rages on about what you should be submitting to stock photo sites.
This is a complete no-brainer.
There is no real debate or rather I don't know why the debate continues.
The answer is a very simple one.
Go to the stock sites and see what they specifically want, what is selling well and which images have the best download statistics.
If you follow this road, shoot quality images and submit only your best work and the chances of you selling photos increase dramatically.
So what are the stock buyers looking for? Before we get into the details let me give you a tip.
Subscribe to the newsletters of all the major stock sites.
I've just received one from Shutterstock and it has some great information in it which cuts down my research time on their site dramatically.
They have specifics based on trends and buyer feedback both positive and negative.
By following their guidelines you will not waste hours submitting images that are unsuitable and won't make it through their review process.
Here are a few of the points raised by Shutterstock which are probably also valid for other sites as well: 1.
Ethnic diversity For some reason photographers tend to shy away from ethnic images.
Maybe it's a socio-economic issue with ethnic minorities and this is reflected in the numbers of photographers from these groups.
So there is a big need for images on this theme.
Clients need images of different races and cultures, of both genders and of all ages, but particularly seniors.
Let's not worry what the reason for this is.
Get shooting and submitting this type of image.
2.
People This is linked to the point above.
Good quality images of people in a variety of situations are always popular especially in the teen and youth category with multiple race representation.
Always be sure that their fashion is trendy and up to date.
They should look natural and not as if they are performing for the camera or advertisement.
3.
Food and drink Good quality food and drink images are always popular especially when reflecting a healthy and balanced diet.
Make sure that they reflect simplicity and freshness.
Focus on single dishes or items and not a huge spread.
As you'll see by the points above buyers want specific issues addressed in the images they are prepared to buy coming out of ad campaigns they are working on.
Unless your images meet their criteria they will look somewhere else and buy there.
Be prepared to take time with all your photos thinking with these points in mind.
Opportunities come up all the time and be prepared to take your camera with you everywhere.
You might just see the perfect dish on a table at a friend's dinner party that could make you money.
Begin with the end in mind and know what your potential buyers want.
But, the basic principle of all my articles remains the same.
Learn to take good images by learning the basics of photography so when you have to take an image you're not breaking the rules but creating great compositions.
If you're not sure enroll in an ecourse, buy a book or visit photography websites but ensure that you are on a sharp learning curve.
Photography should remain fun and not just a job you make money from.