Photographers here... please step inside.

[island14]

Question..

I know a lot of you take some really good photos and wondered if any of you sell them online at one of the photo stock places?

How has that worked out for you, did you make anything?

Here is one place I found, there are quite a few more..

Shutterstock - Earnings Schedule

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Never tried. Though about it from time to time though.

As you all might have noticed, I take a lot of dog pics. Since I'm around so many dogs in my dog training gig, I get a fair amount of requests to take pics of people's dogs. I typically don't charge people for this which drives my wife insane. "You're giving away your work idiot"

That horse shoot for example. I initially told them $100.00. When I learned the situation behind those two little boys I waived the fee. My wife was OK with my decision in this case, but typically she's not.

Same thing with the macro watch shots. Some of them are much better than what I've seen published. I end up posting a few here and there and they sit on my hard drive.

[Sea Six]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Never tried. Though about it from time to time though.

As you all might have noticed, I take a lot of dog pics. Since I'm around so many dogs in my dog training gig, I get a fair amount of requests to take pics of people's dogs. I typically don't charge people for this which drives my wife insane. "You're giving away your work idiot"

That horse shoot for example. I initially told them $100.00. When I learned the situation behind those two little boys I waived the fee. My wife was OK with my decision in this case, but typically she's not.

Same thing with the macro watch shots. Some of them are much better than what I've seen published. I end up posting a few here and there and they sit on my hard drive.

So what? So long as you enjoy what you do, and you know your photos are appreciated, why not?

I have been an occasional professional musician for decades. I charge $200 for a four hour gig. However I never miss an opportunity to bring that guitar to a friend's party, especially when asked. I have been known to play and sing for hours on end, because I absolutely love it. It wouldn't dawn on me to gripe about it, try to weasel out of it or charge for it.

And if anyone tried to tell me I'm wrong for doing it, I'd laugh right out loud.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

It wouldn't dawn on me to gripe about it, try to weasel out of it or charge for it

That's pretty much my opinion also. I LIKE taking pics. It's no burden at all.

My wife's gripes are not unfounded however since I have rumbled from time to time about getting a small business started. Ya know, wedding's graduations, and the like.

[Sea Six]

Originally Posted by Thomas

That's pretty much my opinion also. I LIKE taking pics. It's no burden at all.

My wife's gripes are not unfounded however since I have rumbled from time to time about getting a small business started. Ya know, wedding's graduations, and the like.

What's stopping you?

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Originally Posted by Sea Six

What's stopping you?

Honestly? Time. I work 50+ hours a week and train two nights a week. Weekend get pretty busy in the spring and summer months showing.

I could shoehorn it in I suppose, I'd have to cut back on the dog hobby a little. Even the few graduation and weddings I have done are very time consuming. The shooting is easy. It's all the post work editing that gnaws through the hours.

It's the same issue I had when I was trying to get my private pilots license. I wasn't flying but once every couple weeks. That's not the way to learn. And if I'm that busy, how how would I keep current?

[Sea Six]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Honestly? Time. I work 50+ hours a week and train two nights a week. Weekend get pretty busy in the spring and summer months showing.

I could shoehorn it in I suppose, I'd have to cut back on the dog hobby a little. Even the few graduation and weddings I have done are very time consuming. The shooting is easy. It's all the post work editing that gnaws through the hours.

It's the same issue I had when I was trying to get my private pilots license. I wasn't flying but once every couple weeks. That's not the way to learn. And if I'm that busy, how how would I keep current?

I know what you mean. It's hard to find time for everything I'd like to do. I really need a day with about thirty hours in it. Forty-eight would be better.

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by Thomas

That's pretty much my opinion also. I LIKE taking pics. It's no burden at all.

My wife's gripes are not unfounded however since I have rumbled from time to time about getting a small business started. Ya know, wedding's graduations, and the like.

Pics of wife !!

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

Pics of wife !!

[island14]

I found a site earlier that offers some good info.

http://www.dphotojournal.com/sell-photos-online/

From what I see, you upload your pics, and get paid every time someone downloads them.

This would be good for someone like Thomas that already has tons of photos just laying in his computer doing nothing.

Once you have them uploaded, they do all the marketing and payouts for you.

[island14]

From the link above..

Take note of this guys earnings over time, when he first started out it was small but as he slowly added more photos over time it has built up into a nice auto pilot income..

January’13: $ 6,435.05

Total Revenue from Microstock in 2012: US$ 57,137.02

December’12: US$ 5,991.20
November’12: US$ 5,669.37
October’12: US$ 5,905.74
September’12: US$ 5,305.24
August’12: US$ 5,225.14
July’12: US$ 4,805.82
June’12: US$ 4,325.35
May’12: US$ 4,502.22
April’12: US$ 4,254.23
March’12: US$ 3,954.23
February’12:: $3,711.87
January’12: $3,487.36

Total Revenue from Microstock in 2011: US$ 33,945.69

December’11: US$ 3,248.77
November’11: US$ 3,706.74
October’11: US$ 3,466.25
September’11: US$ 3,350.27
August’11: US$ 3,347.27
July’11: US$ 3,599.17
June’11: US$ 3,264.83
May’11: US$ 3,022.54
April’11: US$ 2,936.25
March’11: US$ 2,752.54
February’11:: $2,134.43
January’11: $2,245.73

Total Revenue from Microstock in 2010: US$ 41,953.83

December’10: US$ 2,641.31
November’10: US$ 3,152.54
October’10: US$ 3,255.59
September’10: US$ 3,623.22
August’10: US$ 3,985.98
July’10: US$ 3,199.33
June’10: US$ 3,423.12
May’10: US$ 3,323.34
April’10: US$ 3,911.59
March’10: US$ 3,723.9
February’10: US$ 3,745.39
January’10: US$ 3,968.52

Total Revenue from Microstock in 2009: US$37,538.91

December’09: US$ 3,224.12
November’09: US$ 3,968.52
October’09: US$ 3,842.32
September’09: US$ 4,203.05
August’09: US$ 3,637.00
July’09: US$ 3,537.00
June’09: US$ 3,663.35
May’09: US$ 3,098.32
April’09: US$ 3,094.72
March’09: US$ 3,141.53
February’09: US$ 2,899.51
January’09: US$ 2,766.47

Total Revenue from Microstock in 2008: US$30,521.71

December’08: US$ 2,609.72
November’08: US$ 2,615.78
October’08: US$ 2,622.24
September’08: US$ 2,614.5
August’08: US$ 2596.61
July’08: US$ 2248.64
June’08: US$ 2546.61
May’08: US$ 2874.93
April’08: US$ 2687.79
March’08: US$ 2381.30
February’08: US$ 2455.02
January’08: US$ 2241.39

Total Revenue from Microstock in 2007: US$25,662.79

December’07: US$1707.33
November’07: US$2035.89
October’07: US$2124.36
September’07: US$2034.24
August’07: US$1966.26
July’07: $1987.43
June’07: $2048.15
May’07: $2278.92
April’07: $2354.59
March’07: $2561.99
February’07:: $2194.88
January’07: $2368.75

Total Revenue from Microstock in 2006: US$23,725.79

December’06: $1840.20
November’06: $2025.67
October’06: $1722.91
September’06: $1876.76
August’06: $2038.33
July’06: $1921.87
June’06: $2060.23
May’06: $2286.5
April’06: $1924.50
March’06: $2120.35
February’06: $2062.70
January’06: $1845.84

Total Revenue from Microstock in 2005: US$5,004.14

December’05: $1216.83
November’05: $1421.92
October’05: $1384.59
September’05: $980.80

[beadist]

I worked for several years as an editor at a major stock photo agency. Pre-digital. If your photos are accepted by the agency, and you're comfortable having them sold by someone else, go for it. You'll get the occasional check.

Freelancing for people other than friends and family can be an absolute nightmare. Unless you're charging enough to make you smile while giving up your weekend, the evening with your wife, social events and lots of sleep, stick to having fun with it and collecting costs.

Have an ironclad contract with all specifics spelled out and collect half up front. Be aware that if you shoot a wedding and something goes wrong, you can be sued to pay for the entire wedding and reception to be reenacted. That's why the pros always have at least 2 camera bodies with them and enough batteries for a week.

I suggest putting together a price list with an hourly rate, mileage, editing and print cost. When people ask you to shoot something you're ready with the info for them. Be prepared to hear "My cousin has one of them digital cameras that takes great pitures and he'll do it for free!". Then you can say "good luck" and walk away.

[Jeff '79]

$60k per yr on auto pilot sounds pretty nice...

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

That's why the pros always have at least 2 camera bodies with them and enough batteries for a week.

I'm solid on equipment.

[island14]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

$60k per yr on auto pilot sounds pretty nice...

Sure does..

I like online income that allows you to work from home, at your own pace, and hours.

After hearing about this from a friend, I decided to look into it more and am trying to learn how these sites work.

It sounds like this is worth looking into more!

I'm sure it was not easy or fast for that guy to build up a large inventory of photos to market online, but once the work is done, it's done!

You can always keep adding more later to build income up larger as you go.

Most of my photos are crap, and taken with budget cameras.

But over time I have had a few flukes that turned out nice.

There are quite a few sites that have this service, but I think I have narrowed it down to the best ones to deal with, and most will allow you to list the same photos at other places.

So posting the same sets of photos at 5 different places would give even more chances to make sales.

Also they have a payout to anyone else you sign up later, and get paid a small commission on their sales also.

[beadist]

Originally Posted by Thomas

I'm solid on equipment.

Shit happens and cards go bad

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Originally Posted by beadist

Shit happens and cards go bad

Hasn't happened to me yet, but I've heard of it. my camera holds two cards, and I have a bunch of spares.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Beadist, what were your on duties as an editor?

[beadist]

Without quoting the list of payouts, I can tell you why that person has the income coming in.

They set up and shoot models. Young couples, middle age couples, and elderly couples pretty girls, etc. doing every day things from every angle in perfect lighting conditions. They also update every year to reflect changes in clothing, cars, computers, etc. Kids, pets in every generic event in life. They also do product shots in the studio.

Photos with people bring in the most money and all photos with humans need solid signed releases. That pretty girl posing on the beach will not be happy when she sees the billboard of herself advertizing a new medication for herpes.

That person likely has 30-40 thousand images at every stock photo agency.

[island14]

Originally Posted by beadist

Without quoting the list of payouts, I can tell you why that person has the income coming in.

They set up and shoot models. Young couples, middle age couples, and elderly couples pretty girls, etc. doing every day things from every angle in perfect lighting conditions. They also update every year to reflect changes in clothing, cars, computers, etc. Kids, pets in every generic event in life. They also do product shots in the studio.

Photos with people bring in the most money and all photos with humans need solid signed releases. That pretty girl posing on the beach will not be happy when she sees the billboard of herself advertizing a new medication for herpes.

That person likely has 30-40 thousand images at every stock photo agency.

Good info



I didn't think it would be easy, but do see a small stream of income to possibly be made on the side.

Thomas has all the equipment, and tons of dog photos already, no model release needed.

Along with more he says. for him it would be easier, but still time consuming to upload them all at least the good ones.

For me I would have to start from scratch.

I have been looking through some of my many old photos, and so far have only found a few that might even possibly be of any interest to others on a commercial level.