The launch of microstock companies has opened its doors for amateurs and hobbyists to enter the stock photo industry. An expensive camera is not a requirement, but basic photography knowledge and an artistic flair is definitely a plus. Almost any photographer can sign-up with a microstock company and submit their photos for potential sale.
Each microstock company has specific technical requirements that must be met in order for photos to be accepted. Thus, it is important to read their submission guidelines carefully before submitting photos. Most have a minimum pixel size, and are strict about focus and noise. Composition and lighting are also important. Any photo containing people or property will need to be accompanied by model and/or property releases.
Beyond the technical submission guidelines, subject matter is most important if you want to gain sales. Photos showing a concept, or idea, tend to be popular. Lifestyle, business, and seasonal themes also sell well. Microstock companies tend to be flooded with photos of generic subject, such as flowers and sunsets, so if your photo concentrates on those subjects – they must be outstanding.
It’s worth doing some research to find out what subjects are in-demand – look around you to see what types of images are commonly used in print ads, brochures, websites, etc. The key to success in microstock is to produce images that sell again and again. Don’t forget that you are competing with many other photographers, so make sure you submit top quality photos!
Photokore offers step-by-step guidelines on how to sell photos as microstock.
Read our guidelines here – en.photokore.com/help/stock_photos
Filed under: Stock Photo Articles Tagged: image search, microstock photography, microstock photos, Photokore, sell photos, Stock Image, stock images, stock photo, stock photos
