So what is Stock Photography?

Stock photography is the business of supplying photograps to a large number of buyers, providing them with specific licenses for different uses. In other words, it means creating a collection of photographs (a stock of photographs) which is available for the buyer to consult and to choose images from.

In the old days, this was rather complicated as photographers would have had to send their images, almost always their negatives, to a stock agency. The buyer would have to get a stock agency catalog or go to the agency itself to go and choose the images.

Nowadays, all this has changed. Microstock sites such as Dreamstime, iStock, ShutterStock and Fotolia have completely changed this business. Photographers can submit their digital images through their websites while buyers can access the site to browse an enormous amount of images and buy the ones they like. Most importantly, the price an image sells at has dropped dramatically. You can find images at less than a dollar which is a huge incentive for publishers to buy this kind of images. The larger demand that these low prices have generated more than compensate for the loss of revenue due to the low prices.

Who can sell images? Anyone can! That's the great thing about it.

Microstock sites have set very high standards and not all images will get accepted. Only high quality images will make it to the site but there is no limit on who can submit. You register to the site and the rest is up to you. Some photographers have become extremly successful and have made millions of dollars with it, others are able to make a decent living with it. Most will just generate some additional income while pursuing their passion without actually depending on microstock for survival.

Microstock is a long term investment. It may take a long time for you to have your first sale, it might takes years for you to get any income worthy speaking of. In the meantime you will have to invest time and money and, depending on where you live, you will probably have to pay taxes on that little income you do generate. But in the end, if you persist, you will get to a point in which you will say: it was well worth it.

I can assure you that it's a lot of fun and somewhat addictive. You can check your earnings online and I can tell you, that F5 key will really be worn out after some time. If photography is your job or if it's just a hobby and you are convinced that you will not give up, go ahead and give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

Where to upload? I personally love Dreamstime, I think it's the best site with the best earnings in the business. To start uploading, just click on the following link which will allow you to register and start your new microstock career.



Other leading sites are: Shutterstock, iStockphoto and Fotolia.