Stock Photos

[Joshua Bowden]

Hey Guys :)

I am starting to learn photography and as I get better I would like to start selling my images :D

I found a few sites that buy images, one I recall was http://istockphoto.com.

What's the go with these companys, and how does it work? :)

Lastly, does anyone know any other good photo stock sites?

Thanks


Thanks ;)
Joshh

[daugirdas]

Basically, you give away your copyright and in the best case get $1 a photo. I refused to deal with them, but haven't found anything better yet. Photographers direct didn't get me anywhere in a years time.

It would be interesting to see some success stories now.

[jra]

Check out Alamy ( www.alamy.com ) It's pretty popular around here and yields better pay per sale. Just be warned, it take lots and lots of high quality images to actually make some dough. Good luck!

[daugirdas]

Check out Alamy ( www.alamy.com (http://www.alamy.com) ) It's pretty popular around here and yields better pay per sale. Just be warned, it take lots and lots of high quality images to actually make some dough. Good luck!

It looks interesting. How much do people make on average per photo per year? I mostly do macros and portraits, but could extend to chemistry (that is my real job) and food.

[jra]

It looks interesting. How much do people make on average per photo per year? I mostly do macros and portraits, but could extend to chemistry (that is my real job) and food.

There's no exact forumla but I've heard to expect about 1 sale per month per 1000 images. Of course, you may get far more if your portfolio is outstanding or far less if it's not so outstanding. You also must also take into account the subjects you're shooting. Subjects such as dogs or cats have thousands and thousand of other images competing for sales. Other subjects are far less represented and are better bets for sales.

[Harry Settle]

I realize that it costs about $300, but I suggest you pick up "fotobiz" software. I checked out Alamy and see that they are using the same basic rate format. Fotobiz is for your personal use to sell your photos and services to businesses. It will show you what others are charging for the same products and it had coaching that is really helpful. The prices they list are higher than my local market, but in-line for areas around me and you can adjust the rates to reflect your personal situation.

Biggest benefit I have found with fotobiz, so far, is the coaching section. It has allowed me to talk to some commercial accounts in a credible manner and be able to explain my pricing schedule.

I have been looking at the stock photo barns, just like you, and I'm not impressed. I see really crappy pictures, or boring pictures, starting at $49 for a web format, up to $3-800 bucks for high res. We are selling to them for nothing and they are raking in the cash.

I am considering running an on-demand/stock photo type of operation and see how that runs. Don't have a handle on all involved with this yet.