pesphoto
Veteran
Just thinking of ways to possibly make some money with some of my photos. Anyone have any experience selling thru stock agencies, card companies, etc. Other ideas?
kaiyen
local man of mystery
Stock photography is a tough business. You have to produce a ton of photos that probably don't interest you, then fight against like 10,000 other photographers doing the same thing. I know one photographer who gets about $100 a year or so for this one photo he took. It's a field of corn. That's it. I don't find it interesting at all, but it's what pays. And that's only $100 a year, and it's used all the time.
I've personally given up on the idea, but if you take a lot of photos that you truly think will make it, then go for it.
I've personally given up on the idea, but if you take a lot of photos that you truly think will make it, then go for it.
pesphoto
Veteran
yeah, my first thought is that it might be more trouble than it's worth $$$ wise. Maybe doing something like producing my own cards with photos and trying to sell them in local shops makes more sense. But still have to wonder if it's worth it.
Peter G1G2
Established
The other day I read in a book on Stockphotography that revenue is about 1 (one) Dollar or Euro per year per photo. Maybe people who have expierence in this field can confirm/deny this?
pesphoto
Veteran
so if true, it really doesnt pay unless youre really committed to submitting and getting hundreds or thouands of photos submitted
kaiyen
local man of mystery
You are more likely to succeed with the card idea than with stock photos. However, you also have to put in a LOT more work, advertising/selling/walking the paths with cards than with stock photos.
allan
allan
kbg32
neo-romanticist
I make over 1/3 of my income from stock - in 5 figures.. Yes, you have to pay attention as to what is saleable or not. It is a great way to make a living. I know many photographers who do nothing else and produce over 6 figures per year in income. I could make more, but I have my niche that I am happy with. Cards don't make a lot of money nor book covers. My sales are spread over many usages - advertising, editorial, travel, brochures, etc., that include these but are not specific to those industries. My income from stock is generated on a few hundred, not thousands of images.
pesphoto
Veteran
Keith,
Thanks for the reply. Do you have any recommendations as to where I could get some info about selling stock photos? Or where to even begin(links) if I wanted to learn more about it? Do you sell thru one agency or thru several? I heard that most agencies require thousands of images to veen get in the door.
Thanks for the reply. Do you have any recommendations as to where I could get some info about selling stock photos? Or where to even begin(links) if I wanted to learn more about it? Do you sell thru one agency or thru several? I heard that most agencies require thousands of images to veen get in the door.