Basic information about microstock photography sites, their requirements, and how you can make money from your photography hobby.
What Is "Stock" Photography?
Stock photography is a collection of images created without a specific purpose and catalogued for review and purchase by someone needing illustrations for ads, books, articles, and other uses.
Stock photography agencies, such as Corbett & Getty, are often difficult to get into, often requiring you to be a professional photographer, but they pay much more than microstock agencies do per image.
Stock photography agencies, such as Corbett & Getty, are often difficult to get into, often requiring you to be a professional photographer, but they pay much more than microstock agencies do per image.
What Is "Microstock" Photography?
Microstock photography is a more affordable option for stock buyers, and it's possible for semi-pro photographers to get accepted as image providers. The quality standards are still high, but the image size required is smaller.
I Work With A Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS 30DMy first new 35mm camera was a Canon EOS that I bought while working at a camera store. I had plenty of feedback from customers and other salespeople about what cameras were best for my needs, and the Canon EOS got great reviews for picture quality and ease of use.
My next camera, and first digital, was a Nikon, also very high quality, and I took the first professional photos I sold (to Locus Magazine) with that camera. However, when the time came to upgrade to a digital SLR, I felt my heart beat a little faster when I looked over the Canon EOS...
So that's what I got. You can't fight love.
DPReview.com on the Canon EOS 30D
The Basic General Requirements
General requirements that all the microstock agencies agree on.
- You MUST be the creator & copyright owner of the image.
- The image should focus on a single object or concept.
- Sharp focus, clean lens, good lighting, no noise.
- Well thought out - no snapshots!
- Model releases for any recognizable faces - even yours.
- Minors must have a special model release signed by their parent or guardian.
Lighting Tools
WhiBal White Balance Reference Card - Pocket Kit (2"x3.5")
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009) 
Ezcube ® 20" Light Tent & DVD
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
Photoflex DPFSPDKT First Studio Product Kit Lighting Kit
Amazon Price: $218.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
~ TIP ~
Always go over your photos at at least 100% resolution to check for flaws.
MicroStock Photography Agencies
This is not a comprehensive list by any means; however, they're the ones with which I am familiar.
- Big Stock Photo
- File requirements:
File size 6 MG (6000 K) or less JPG file format only.
At least 600 pixels across or high, 72 dpi minimum(but preferably 1200px or more, 200 dpi or higher resolution is better).
Model release required for images with recognizable human faces. - ShutterStock
- File Requirements:
File size must be at least 4.0MP (4.0 Million Pixels), 72 dpi. To determine the size of an image, multiply the length (in pixels) by the height).
JPG is preferred, but TIFF is acceptable.
Model release required for images with recognizable human faces; however, ShutterStock does accept editorial photos (newsworthy photos without a release).
Also accepts vectors and footage. - Fotolia
- File Requirements:
Upload photos with normal proportions
Files must be at least 1600 x 1200 (2 million pixels) and less than 20 Mega bytes.
JPG format.
Model release required for images with recognizable human faces. - Can Stock Photo
- File Requirements:
Images must be at least 1500x2000 pixels and no larger than 8MB.
JPG
300 dpi
Model release required for images with recognizable human faces. - 123 Royalty Free
- File requirements:
Images must be photographed with a minimum 4 Megapixels camera, at least 2200 pixels x 1700 pixels, and not bigger than 5MB.
JPEG
High quality(80%) compression
Images must NOT contain any company names, product names, or trademarked designs.
Images must NOT contain recognizable brand named products.
Model release required for images with recognizable human faces. - StockXpert
- File Requirements:
Images must be at least 800 x 600 pixels and no more than 8 megabytes.
JPG
Model release required for images with recognizable human faces. - Dreamstime
- File Requirements:
Images must be at least 3MP in size.
JPG, Highest quality.
Model release required for images with recognizable human faces.
Images cannot contain any company names, product names, or trademarked designs.
Keywords
Grab a thesaurus.
Potential customers find your image out of all the others by searching via keywords. Keywords are single words, terms, and phrases that accurately describe your image. It's important to use as many keywords as possible, but each one must be a word or phrase that actually describes the image.
Let's say that you have a blue marble photo, backlit, with blue reflections on the white surface...
Start listing the basics:
blue, marble
Now fill the list out:
Blue - what shades of blue do you see?
Marble - sphere, toy, ball
Don't forget the shadow (list the colors in the shadow, too), what type of marble it is, what it's made of (glass), any imperfections (bubbles, air bubbles), the background ("isolated" if it's against nothing but white), and so on.
Now your list might look like this:
blue, marble, glass, sphere, toy, aggie, bubbles, isolated, shadow, reflection, cyan, azure, turquoise, clear
Add phrases (usually in quotes):
"blue marble", "glass marble", "blue glass marble"
Remember: Spelling is critical.
That's how you do it. You'll get better and better over time. It's a learnable skill, just like photography.
Let's say that you have a blue marble photo, backlit, with blue reflections on the white surface...
Start listing the basics:
blue, marble
Now fill the list out:
Blue - what shades of blue do you see?
Marble - sphere, toy, ball
Don't forget the shadow (list the colors in the shadow, too), what type of marble it is, what it's made of (glass), any imperfections (bubbles, air bubbles), the background ("isolated" if it's against nothing but white), and so on.
Now your list might look like this:
blue, marble, glass, sphere, toy, aggie, bubbles, isolated, shadow, reflection, cyan, azure, turquoise, clear
Add phrases (usually in quotes):
"blue marble", "glass marble", "blue glass marble"
Remember: Spelling is critical.
That's how you do it. You'll get better and better over time. It's a learnable skill, just like photography.
~ IMPORTANT TIP ABOUT KEYWORDS ~
Do not spamdex your keywords; it's unethical and you'll likely get banned from the site, regardless of how good your stock photos are. Sex may sell, but if there's no "hot bikini babe" in your shot, don't pretend that there is through mis-using keywords just to get people to look at your work.
Canon Cameras Suitable For Microstock
Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
Amazon Price: $1,199.00 (as of 07/13/2009)
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 16.7MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Amazon Price: $5,499.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Amazon Price: $1,999.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
What Do Microstock Agencies Want?
A general overview of what microstock agencies are looking for.
Objects isolated against a white background.
People interacting in personal and business situations (with model releases).
People isolated against a white background (with model releases).
Seasonal images.
Business & computers.
Contemporary life situations.
Portraits (with model release).
People interacting in personal and business situations (with model releases).
People isolated against a white background (with model releases).
Seasonal images.
Business & computers.
Contemporary life situations.
Portraits (with model release).
What They Don't Want
A general overview of what microstock agencies don't want and can't use.
Text, timestamp or watermark.
Framed images.
Copyrighted material.
Images of people without signed model releases.
Snapshots.
Blurry, badly lit, or otherwise amaturish shots.
Upsized images (size increased in PhotoShop or another program).
Framed images.
Copyrighted material.
Images of people without signed model releases.
Snapshots.
Blurry, badly lit, or otherwise amaturish shots.
Upsized images (size increased in PhotoShop or another program).
Nikon Cameras For Microstock
Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm & 55-200mm Nikkor Lenses
Amazon Price: $2,399.00 (as of 07/13/2009)
NIKON D2X SLR 12.4 Megapixel Digital Camera
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
What They Have Too Much Of, Already
Types of images that are done to death and must be extraordinary to be accepted.
Sunsets, clouds, sky shots.
Landscapes, mountains, trees.
Flowers & insects.
Pets.
Landscapes, mountains, trees.
Flowers & insects.
Pets.
The Wrap Up
Can I Really Make Money Selling My Photos?
Can I sell the same photo at more than one agency? Yes, most microstock agencies allow you to do that. Be sure and check the terms or agreement. Some agencies also pay more if you give them exclusive rights to sell a photo.
Can I make money as a microstock photographer? Yes, in tiny increments that add up.
A lot?
Possibly, if you work hard enough get those increments coiming in more often, and faster.
Enough to live on? Yes, even that, IF you treat it as a profession rather than a hobby. Like anything else, successful microstock photography takes knowledge, skill, the right tools and a lot of hard work.
Can I make money as a microstock photographer? Yes, in tiny increments that add up.
A lot?
Possibly, if you work hard enough get those increments coiming in more often, and faster.
Enough to live on? Yes, even that, IF you treat it as a profession rather than a hobby. Like anything else, successful microstock photography takes knowledge, skill, the right tools and a lot of hard work.
Free Pro Photography Magazines
Get inspired and see what professional quality stock, portraiture, & art photography looks like.
- Subscribe to Rangefinder Magazine, a free monthly magazine for professional photographers. Professional profiles, Photoshop how to, problem solving & equipment articles.
- Subscribe to AfterCapture Magazine, a new monthly focusing on post-production photographic work. AfterCapture premiered as part of the January 2007 Rangefinder double issue and will begin monthly publication in March 2007.
Helpful Books On The Stock Photography Business
When It's Time To Go Big Time With Your Photography
Eventually, you'll have learned enough from microstock to feel ready to move up to regular stock photography. Before you make that decision (and possibly even invest in an even more professional camera), do your homework - like you did for microstock.
Stock Photography Business Forms: Everything You Need to Succeed in Stock Photography
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
People Shots that Sell: How to Succeed in Stock Photography
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
The Photographer's Market Guide to Photo Submission and Portfolio Formats
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
Sell & Re-Sell Your Photos
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 07/13/2009)
Pricing Photography: The Complete Guide to Assignment & Stock Prices
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/13/2009)
~ MicroStock Photography Guestbook ~
11thStudio wrote...
Excellent lens, thanks. Am getting into microstock at the memony, amd using 2 online places. Thanks for the post.
Chris Ridley - 11thStudio Photography
Posted January 09, 2008
Guitar75 wrote...
5 Stars! Lots of information and straight to the point. Nice job.
Posted August 09, 2007
tallegretti wrote...
Sold slides and prints to small publications,the old way,in the 90's.
Your info has inspired me...Thanks
Posted July 27, 2007
flowski wrote...
Thanks for covering so much. What a great overall picture. I learned so much about stock photos I think I'm going to start selling them on line via one of the services. 5 star lens!
Posted June 23, 2007
by JaZilla
Hillbilly, photographer, poet, artist, mom.
See my designs and art on t-shirts and gifts at JaZilla ~ Pop Culture Clothing & Gifts.
