Websites like www.istockphoto.com are starting to gain a popular following with freelance photographers. The reason is that this allows them to reach a wider audience that might be interested in using the pictures on these sites for their website. But before you simply join a site and begin submitting photographs, you will find there is an approval process to go through.
Most of these websites will begin with a simple test that you will need to take. This test is designed to see if you have a good understanding of photography and what your overall experience has been with it. Generally, there isn’t too much involved in this process and even the most novice user should be able to pass the simple test if they are producing work that has a level of quality to sell.
From this point, you will then be asked to submit three of your photos to be reviewed. You will get to select the photos that you are submitting, with the understanding that there are some key elements that they will be judged on.
First, the clarity of the photo will be inspected. Your photo shouldn’t be out of focus and should display the image you are focusing on without a doubt. If it is for example a fly on the wall, you can zoom in on the fly and have it crystal clear, with the wall blurred behind it. The opposite would not be correct.
Placement of your object in your photograph is important as well. While you might be looking to make a statement, they are looking to ensure you will be following their rules. Center an image or have a reason for why the specific shot was taken when you submit it.
All original photography should also be clean and clear as well. This means if you are taking a photograph of a series of items, you define what the items are. So if it is a pile of laundry, be sure that is the clear focus and not the hamper or the other items that surround it.
When you submit your three photographs, be sure you give them a variety of shots you can take. The websites aren’t looking for a photographer that can do just one type of shot. A good mix would include a still life, a facial portrait and an action shot as well. This combination will give them a full feeling of what you are capable of and in turn lead you to having a chance to make more money down the road as users become impressed with your work and buy it from the different websites.
Remember that quality will need to remain high on the stock photo websites you choose as well. Even after you are approved, they will continue to review all work that you submit to them. Be sure to keep delivering your top work and you shouldn’t have any problems interacting with these websites and getting picked up to submit to them.
You could make a fortune over the years if people download your photos over and over. It might only be a dollar per photo but over time it can accumulate to a lot of money. Even if many marketing professionals will give you reasons Why Original Photography is Better Than Stock Photos, most of the time they will end up using stock photography because of budget reasons.