Jump to content
Akinix
Sign in to follow this  
Quarter

How to make money selling stock photos and videos

Recommended Posts

How can you make money selling stock photos or videos?

I'm a complete newbie in this, and I'm looking for any good advice as I know here on forums are some very experienced people who make their living on it for years.

Thank you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, welcome to the forum. Selling stock photos and videos can be a great way to make money from your passion for photography or videography. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. You need to have a good understanding of the market, the quality standards, and the best practices to succeed in this field.

Here are some tips that might help you get started:

  • Choose your subjects carefully. You want to create images or videos that are in high demand by buyers, such as lifestyle, business, health, travel, etc. You also want to avoid subjects that are oversaturated or have low commercial value, such as flowers, sunsets, pets, etc. Try to find a niche that suits your style and interests, and focus on creating unique and original content that stands out from the crowd.
  • Pay attention to lighting and composition. These are the two most important factors that determine the quality of your photos or videos. You want to use natural or artificial light sources that enhance the mood and colors of your scene, and avoid harsh or flat lighting that creates unwanted shadows or glare. You also want to compose your shots in a way that follows the rule of thirds, creates depth and perspective, and eliminates any distracting or irrelevant elements.
  • Use relevant keywords and descriptions. When you upload your photos or videos to a stock platform, you need to provide accurate and descriptive metadata that helps buyers find your content. You should use keywords that describe the main subject, theme, emotion, location, and style of your image or video, as well as any specific details that might be relevant. You should also write a short and catchy description that summarizes what your image or video is about and why it is useful for buyers.
  • Promote your photos or videos using social media. One of the best ways to increase your exposure and sales is to share your work on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, etc. You can use hashtags, tags, captions, stories, and other features to attract followers, engage with your audience, and showcase your portfolio. You can also link your social media accounts to your stock platform profile, so that buyers can easily access your full collection.
  • Diversify your portfolio. To maximize your chances of selling your photos or videos, you should upload them to multiple stock platforms that cater to different markets and audiences. Some of the most popular ones are Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, iStock, Getty Images, etc. Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of pricing, commission rates, exclusivity options, etc., so you should do some research and compare them before choosing the ones that suit you best.
  • Upload new photos or videos regularly. The stock market is constantly changing and evolving, so you need to keep up with the trends and demands of buyers. You should upload new content at least once a week, if not more often, to maintain your relevance and visibility on the platforms. You should also update your existing content with new keywords and descriptions if needed.
  • Enhance your pictures. Before you upload your photos or videos to a stock platform, you should edit them using photo editing software such as Photoshop, Lightroom, etc. You should adjust the exposure, contrast, color balance, sharpness, noise reduction, cropping, etc., to make your images look more professional and appealing. However, you should avoid over-editing or applying filters that alter the natural appearance of your images too much.

I hope these tips help you sell your first stock photo or video soon. Good luck! 😉

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...