Key Takeaways:
- Stock photography is a great way to earn some extra cash on the side.
- One of the best ways to get an idea of what people are looking for is by studying the top-selling photos on different sites.
- Your photos should be clear and easy to understand. They should tell a story.
ave you ever wondered how to become a stock photographer?
If so, you're in luck. Today, it's easier than ever to sell your photos online and earn some extra money for doing something that you love to do. But before you can start selling photos online, there are several things that you'll need to know about this business.
What is stock photography?
Stock photography is a great way to earn some extra cash on the side. It's also a great career if you're just starting out and don't have the funds or connections to get into the traditional jobs of photography, such as event photography or wedding photographer.
Stock photos are pictures that are licensed for use by other people, companies and publications as part of their own content. This can include things like websites, advertisements, brochures and even social media posts (like Facebook ads). Stock photo agencies sell these images via online galleries to clients who need them for their own projects — it’s how they pay for your work!
How do I make money from stock photography?
The process of selling your photos online through stock agencies isn't difficult but there are a few steps involved. Let's dive in:
Research the top-selling photos and subjects on current stock photography websites.
One of the best ways to get an idea of what people are looking for is by studying the top-selling photos on different sites.
Here’s how:
- Visit a few stock photography websites and look at their most popular images, photographers, subject categories and sizes.
- Take note of themes that are repeated in each category. Do you see any commonalities?  For example, if you visit Shutterstock and see that their “People” category has lots of photos with water drops on faces or hands; this may be a good sign that waterdrops will sell well too!
.png)
Learn more about copyright law and pick out a safe place to upload your photos.
If you’re going to be a stock photographer, you need to know the basics of copyright law. It’s your responsibility to make sure that people who use your photos are doing so legally.
That means understanding what fair use is and how it affects how people can use your photos in their projects. A good rule of thumb: if someone is using one of your pictures, they should have permission from the owner (that means you!) first.
Also learn about licensing so that when someone wants to use one of your images, they will know exactly which license applies in each case. This might seem confusing at first but once you get used to it, it gets much easier!
Finally, pick a safe place where people can download or purchase rights-managed images from you (like Shutterstock). You don’t want everyone stealing them from Facebook because there isn't any way for anyone else besides yourself or maybe another photographer with whom there's no real relationship between them or their work except through social media sites like Instagram where there are no guarantees against this happening regularly enough that any potential losses would be worth worrying about due at least partly depending upon how long ago said theft occurred before discovery took place!
Learn more: Know Your Rights About the Photos & Videos You Share Online
Know what to take photos of and how to take them.
Your photos should be clear and easy to understand. They should tell a story, even if it's not the one you intended.
Make sure your subject is in focus and that the lighting is good—you don't want shadows or glare obscuring important details. If your subject is moving, make sure there are no blurs or motion blurriness in the photo. In other words: take your time!
Learn more: Take Your Next Image to the Next Level
Build a portfolio.
This is the most important step for any stock photographer to take, and it's the only way to prove that you're a pro. If you want to sell your photos online, you need to have samples of your work so potential clients can see what your style looks like and how well you capture moments. You should also include some details about yourself, like how long you've been shooting and where your work has appeared.
This can be a fun and profitable adventure with the right knowledge, tips and tricks.
I hope this article has provided you with enough information to help you take those "first steps" toward becoming a successful stock photographer. Good luck and have fun!
.webp)
.png)
