{ Stock Photography

Stock Photography: the supply of photographs licensed for specific uses, often used instead of hiring a photographer. Most stock photos are produced in studios using a wide variety of models posing as professionals and stereotypes, expressing stereotypical emotions and [gestures]. (

Images are submitted by a photographer to an agency that acts as a go-between (between photographer and purchaser). Some agencies buy the copyrights from the photographer; some agencies take a percentage of the sale or license; and some (few) agencies are non-profit. How It Works

Image pricing depends on the size of audience, the length of time and region the image will be used, the exclusivity of the use, and the photographer’s reputation. Typical earnings for photographers are $ per image licensed. The Money

 Getty Images  Corbis  ShutterStock  iStockPhoto  Dreamstime  Stockxpert  Fotolia  MorgueFile Agencies: A Sampling

Check out available images, and add types of images that are not represented. Look at sites’ “wish lists” as well as their guidelines. Start out with a free sharing site, like MorgueFile ( - get feedback on your images by seeing how many people download them (for free). Don’t expect to make money fast—you will have to fund your own projects for awhile How to Get Started

Guidelines on iStockphoto (2012)

You are your own boss. You have the freedom to take any photos, any time, any where, any style. It can easily be done “on the side” or as a hobby. The Benefits

Income fluctuates and is unpredictable. You need a strong grasp on copyright and licensing issues. The Downside

 (Royalty) Free:  (Royalty) Free: a “flat fee” to use the image multiple times for multiple purposes (with limits)   No time limit on when the buyer can use an image   The photographer retains exclusive rights to the image Copyright Terms: Royalty Free

  License value determined by the use of the image   Terms of the license are clearly defined and negotiated   Provides assurance that an image will not be used by another buyer in a conflicting manner   “Editorial” is a form of rights-managed license: when there are no model releases for the subjects, the images can only be used for noncontroversial news or educational purposes Copyright Terms: Rights Managed

  As far as photography is concerned, “public domain” is the category for images in which the photographer has clearly forfeited intellectual property rights   These images can be used by anyone, anytime, in any way Copyright Terms: Public Domain

Most popular images are ones that contain people You must have model releases for any identifiable people in your images Do not include images of corporate logos or trademarks, and avoid recognizable products Tag your photos carefully Include a short description, including the name of the location if it’s significant Tips