Stock photography explained
This site has two main functions: it showcases our stock photography, and it provides a way for people to register their interest in obtaining part-time work as a stock-photography model.
If you're new to stock photography, we encourage you to take a minute or two to read some of our background information.
To answer questions such as "What is stock photography", "How much does it pay?", "Do I get to keep the pictures?", "Where will my photos be used?" and "What if I change my mind?", we have now included a Frequently Asked Questions page.
Graphic designers — the people who create much of the visual material you see every day — are always looking for high-quality photographs of people to illustrate brochures, display ads, packaging, articles, album covers, screen savers, packaging ... just to name a few examples.
Instead of paying a photographer to go out and take a photograph, it is more convenient (and far less expensive) for graphic designers to purchase royalty-free images online.
Royalty free images have been available for decades. In essence, "royalty free" means that, after the initial purchase, there are no ongoing costs for the buyer (provided they abide by a few simple guidelines).
The people who appear in stock photos are often people with a day job earning extra money part-time, photographed in everyday situations, out shopping, in a café, at work or at the beach. For scenarios that don't require an outdoor setting — and for those which demand better control of lighting (and weather) — studio shots are best.
Sounds like the sort of pictures almost anyone with a decent camera could take? Admittedly, a good camera is a pre-requisite, but there is much more to stock photography than the dollar value of your camera.
Popular stock photography is generally of a higher standard than your average happy snap. Often stock photos have 'copyspace' or some special theme that communicates an idea or a message. "Success" and "happiness" are probably two of the most common themes. Commercially viable stock images also exhibit good lighting, are well-composed, sharp and — most importantly — must be an attractive commodity to graphic designers.
Most good stock photography comes from hours of planning and careful preparation.
While some high-quality 'classic' images retain their value for years, stock imagery has a certain ethereal quality to it as well. Something that looks 'hip' today might look decidedly passé next year. Changing fashions can and will affect the value of any stock imagery portfolio.
You don't have to be a super model
to be a stockphoto model!
Since October 2003, I have been the supplying the Canadian company www.istockphoto.com with images taken at variety of locations (see our portfolio ). To date, our images have been downloaded more than 17,000 times for a variety of publications in the USA, Canada and Asia.
Worldwide, there is a growing demand quality lifestyle images, which includes everything from happy couples on holidays to a person sitting back watching television — and everything in between.
Unlike most royalty-free stock image libraries, iStockphoto works on the basis of multiple downloads at reduced prices (AKA: micro payments). The images are inexpensive to purchase, and the photographer relies on multiple downloads to generate a moderate income.
This does not mean that iStock images are inferior. Far from it. In fact, many of the images are of extremely high quality — and some of the world's best, most creative, photographers contribute to iStockphoto.
