The only way to make money selling your pictures was with your own studio.Stock image sites allow anyone, amateur or professional, to find a buyer for their photos.You can get started making money fast if you learn how to develop your products, promote your photos, and choose a buyer.
Step 1: Pay rates can be found on several different sites.
Basic stock photo sites like Dreamstime, freedigitalphotos.net, and Shutterstock are popular with amateur and professional photographers.Most of the sites offer at least 30% commission.Before you sign up, be sure to check each site's commission rate.The most popular sites pay the smallest commission.It's up to you if you want to sell quickly for less money or wait longer for more money.Don't undervalue yourself.Charge if you love what you do and are good at it.
Step 2: To avoid rejected images, check the site's requirements.
Every site has a different focus on themes and requirements for download quality.If you don't follow the site's specific requirements, your images will not be accepted.Before you submit your photos, make sure they fit the site's theme and meet the requirements.Dreamstime requires a minimum of 3 megapixels for download size, and they prefer business-oriented photos.
Step 3: You need to register for an account.
You can register with the site that you choose for free.Unless the fee is cheap and a one-time payment is available, you may want to reconsider using the site.Important information about payment and copyright issues are included in the site's instructions.
Step 4: The payment portion of your account needs to be reviewed.
Check through the mail is a possibility for a few sites.You will need to give them the email address associated with your account.Set up a Paypal account if you don't have one.When you're paid varies from site to site.Some pay you when you request a cash-out, and others only pay on a specific day of the month.Before giving your account information or home address, make sure you register with a legit site.
Step 5: Register for more than one site.
You can make more money if you register for multiple sites.If you sell an image on one site, you may have to remove it on other sites.If you only sell your photos to them, some sites will offer exclusive contracts that pay you more.Register to multiple sites if you don't read the fine print.
Step 6: A portfolio of digital images.
If you only have a few main subjects in your images, they will not appeal to everyone.It's better to have a diverse collection of images, because you can still make money this way.The more people you appeal to, the more money you'll make.Don't be afraid to try new things, that's how you'll discover the style that works best for you.
Step 7: Generic images make the most money.
Generic images sell more often than niche or unusual images because they appeal to the largest audience.Pick out generic images with mass appeal from your digital portfolio.Images of flowers and landscapes work well.A bookcase of old books, a windmill, or a wine bottle are examples of single-subject shots that work well.Anything business or office-oriented does well.Generic tones sell well on stock sites.There are images that look vintage.
Step 8: For the best results, choose images that are high quality.
Rules about resolution, size, file format, and so on can be found on most stock sites.Make sure your images are in line with the rules.Customers are more likely to purchase high quality images with good resolution if the site you're using doesn't have set requirements.Only use your best work.Balanced color and crisp detail are what you can choose.It wouldn't be appropriate to choose images that are blurry or high contrast.
Step 9: Take your photos to the stock site.
Make sure your images follow all of the site's rules, such as image size, resolution, file type, and so on.Make sure your photos match the categories on your site to increase sales.
Step 10: If you tag your images with relevant tags, they will show up in site searches.
Photos will be among thousands of other pictures when uploaded to websites.They will come up first in searches if they think of tags for each picture.Pick tags for each picture.For example, if you uploaded a picture of the beach, your tags might include words like "sand," "surfing," or "tropical."
Step 11: Use a mix of generic tags and specific tags.
Generic tags are the most searched for.Generic tags will get your photos in front of people.It is possible to get your images in front of a group of people.People searching for something specific can find you if you use a mix of both.If your beach picture is of a boardwalk in New Jersey, use generic tags like beach, boardwalk, ocean view and so on.Specific tags like "New Jersey," "Asbury Park," and "South Point Boardwalk" should be included.
Step 12: Images with recognizable brands should not be used.
You will be making money off of someone else's brand without their knowledge or approval if you use images like these.There are rules against using images like this on most stock photo sites.Don't run into problems if you avoid them altogether.An image of a Ford mustang or Campbell's soup can't be uploaded and sold.Don't use images featuring corporate logos, stills from movies, or anything else originally made by something else.
Step 13: Images with people or properties should not be used.
Before your stock photos can be sold, a person must sign a release form.Images depicting someone's personal property, such as a storefront or barn, should be avoided.You would need to track down the correct legal forms and get them signed each time you use an image like this, which would be a hassle.It may be impossible in some cases.You can get model release forms online.
Step 14: You can get an automatic copyright by taking all your photos.
The photographer owns the rights to anything they take themselves.If you were the one operating the camera, you don't have to register or sign up.There are photos taken while you were employed as a photographer.The photos you take on the job are owned by the newspaper.It isn't required to register your copyright, but it is a good idea to prevent people from stealing your work.