How to Become a Stock Photographer

Stock photography can be a great way to supplement your income as a photographer, or a great way to earn some money on the side. Stock photography consists of pictures that are available for use in printed or electronic publications. These photographs can be sold either directly by the photographer or through a stock photography company.

Things You'll Need

• Camera
• Portfolio of photographs

Instructions

1. Take pictures. The first step isn't always the hardest. In order to become a stock photographer, you have to have pictures available to sell. Since these pictures can be used in high-quality full color publications, it is important that stock photographs are razor sharp. Use your camera's highest resolution setting to insure that your images can be resized according to your client's needs.

2. Organize your photographs into a portfolio. Purchasers of stock photography expect to be able to see your work and decide on which shots, if any, they want to purchase. This is different from a client asking you to shoot a picture specifically for them. Clients will expect to look through a portfolio of shots you have available. This can be done online either via your own website or through a stock photography website. Clients can also look through a book or other format in person. Either way, your photographs need to be viewable.

3. Make your stock photography available to purchasers. More and more people are turning to Internet-based stock photography websites to find the shot they are looking for. This allows for convenient searching at any time from any location. As a new stock photographer, this can be your best option to break into the business. Upload your available photographs to a stock photography site or your own website.

4. Continue to shoot more photographs. You can never be sure what someone will want tomorrow. Shoot interesting subjects from multiple angles and in different lighting. Make several versions of each photograph available.

5. Always think about what kind of publication your photographs could be used in. Stock photography is not where to be cutting edge or freaky. People who pay money for stock photos are business people selling professional publications. Underground publishers, fringe website, and the like don't bother to buy stock photography. So, focus on "businessy" pictures like people wearing suits shaking hands, or people around a conference table, and so on.