Stock photography is all about universality and versatility of use. The images need to be versatile enough to be used in a variety of places, but specific enough to convey certain ideas or emotions.
Stock photographers specialise in creating images that can illustrate popular concepts such as teamwork, success, family or a healthy lifestyle.
Types of Stock Photos
Commercial Images
Commercial stock photos focus on business applications. They include photographs depicting the workplace, business meetings, technology in use or professionals at work. The key here is the authenticity and professionalism of the situations depicted, while still allowing for a variety of image interpretations.
Lifestyle Photos
Photographs showing everyday life, interpersonal relationships and different lifestyles are particularly popular in image banks. They depict natural situations such as family gatherings, sporting activities or moments of relaxation. Authenticity and emotion are the main characteristics of good lifestyle photos.
How Much Do Stock Photographers Earn
stock photography can vary greatly. The average revenue per single image in popular image banks usually ranges from $0.25 to $2.5 for a royalty-free licence. However, actual earnings depend on a number of factors and it is worth looking at the different options.
Key factors determining earnings in stock photography:
- Size and quality of the portfolio – the more quality images, the greater the chance of a sale
- Regularity of publishing – systematically adding new material increases visibility
- Effectiveness in describing images – the right keywords and descriptions have a significant impact on sales
- Choice of subject matter – some subjects sell much better than others, it is worth checking this on an ongoing basis
A budding stock photographer with a portfolio of 100 to 500 images can expect a relatively modest start.
With an average of 5-20 sales per month, his or her income often fluctuates between PLN 50 and 200 per month. The main challenge at this stage is to build recognition and expand the portfolio.
The situation changes significantly for intermediate photographers. With a portfolio of between 1,000 and 5,000 images and an average of 50-200 sales per month, it is possible to achieve an income of between €100 and €400 per month. The key to success at this level is to regularly add new, high-quality images.
The most stock experienced photographers, with portfolios in excess of 10000 images, can achieve much higher revenues. With 200-1000 sales per month, their earnings can range from €400 to even €2500 per month or more. Success at this level is based on consistently delivering unique, high-quality content and effectively describing and categorising images.
Hide the Pain Harold – the Most Popular Stock Model
The story of ‘Mr. from stock’, or András Arató, is a fascinating example of how stock photography could unexpectedly gain huge popularity on the internet. This Hungarian electrical engineer, born in 1945 in Kőszeg, became a worldwide internet phenomenon known as ‘Hide the Pain Harold’.
András Arató started his foray into stock photography quite by accident. In 2011, a professional photographer spotted him on holiday and offered him a photo shoot. The stock gentleman agreed, not even imagining that his distinctive smile, masking a kind of melancholy in his eyes, would become one of the most recognisable elements of internet culture.
Arató’s photos quickly became popular in stock photo banks, where he was presented in various business and life situations. His image was used to illustrate articles about success, retirement, office life or technology. But his real fame came when internet users noticed a particular expression on his face – a smile that seemed to mask inner pain or discomfort.
The stock gentleman was initially surprised by his online popularity. However, instead of dissociating himself from it, he decided to accept it and take advantage of it. Today, András Arató is an active participant in internet culture, speaking at conferences, giving interviews and taking a humorous approach to his extraordinary fame. His story shows how stock photography can unexpectedly impact a model’s life and become part of global internet culture.
Interestingly, the Mr. Stock phenomenon has also contributed to a greater awareness of stock photography among people. András Arató has become not only a meme, but also an ambassador for stock photography, showing its more human face.
FAQ
Is stock photography profitable?
Stock photography can be profitable but requires high-quality content and consistent uploads. Most photographers earn between $0.25-$5 per image download, with successful photographers making $500-$2500 monthly through multiple platforms.
What does a stock photographer do?
A stock photographer creates and uploads commercial photographs to stock photo platforms. They shoot various subjects, edit images, add relevant keywords, and manage their portfolio to meet market demands.
What is a photo stock?
A photo stock is a collection of photographs licensed for commercial or personal use. These images are available through platforms like Shutterstock or Getty Images, where customers can purchase usage rights.
How to create stock photos?
Create stock photos by shooting high-quality, well-lit images that serve commercial purposes. Focus on trending topics, use professional equipment, ensure proper composition, and edit images to meet platform standards.
How do beginners sell stock photos?
Beginners should start by signing up with major platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock. Create a diverse portfolio, learn keyword optimization, and understand licensing requirements. Start with versatile, high-demand subjects like business, lifestyle, and technology.
Is selling stock photos free?
Uploading and selling stock photos is usually free on major platforms. However, some platforms may require initial quality tests or portfolio reviews. Photographers only pay fees when their images sell, typically as a percentage of the sale.
What stock photos sell best?
Business-themed photos, lifestyle images, and technology-related content typically sell best. Popular subjects include people working, family activities, healthcare scenarios, and contemporary lifestyle situations.
How do I get paid for stock photos?
Stock photographers get paid through platform-specific payment systems when their images are downloaded. Payments are usually made monthly when earnings reach a minimum threshold, typically $30-100, via PayPal or bank transfer.
How does Shutterstock pay you?
Shutterstock pays photographers based on their earnings level and license type. Contributors earn $0.10-$5.00 per download, with payments released monthly when balance reaches $35. Payment options include PayPal, Skrill, or bank transfer.
Stock Photography – Requirements
Each stock platform has its own technical requirements, which are worth knowing before starting a collaboration. Regardless of the stock chosen, there are some universal standards that must be met.
Basic technical requirements common to most stock photo banks:
- Minimum resolution – usually no less than 4 megapixels
- File format – usually JPG in the sRGB colour space
- Technical quality – adequate sharpness, no noise, vignetting or aberration
- Correct exposure – well balanced highlights and shadows
Stocksy, distinguished in thestock photography market by its artistic approach, requires photographers not only to meet technical standards, but above all to have a unique artistic outlook. Technically, the platform expects images with a minimum resolution of 3,000 pixels on the long side, saved in JPG or RAW format.
Stocksy is known for its rigorous selection of both photographers and material – it only accepts original, authentic photos of high artistic value, avoiding typical stock shots.
The platform operates on a cooperative basis, offering photographers profit-sharing and higher commissions than standard image banks.
Shutterstock, one of the most popular image banks, requires a minimum resolution of 4 megapixels. Images should be saved in JPG format, in the sRGB colour space, with minimal compression. Special attention is paid to the sharpness of the photos, absence of noise and correct exposure.
Adobe Stock has similar basic requirements – it too expects a minimum of 4 megapixel resolution and JPG format.
This platform pays particular attention to compression quality (level 8-12) and the absence of compression artefacts. Correct white balance is also very important.
Getty Images, regarded as one of the most prestigious image banks, has slightly lower resolution requirements (minimum 3 megapixels), but much higher quality standards. The selection process here is stricter, with a particular emphasis on the uniqueness and artistic value of the photos.
IStock, owned by Getty Images, can be a good starting place for budding stock photographers. With similar technical requirements to Getty Images, this platform has a slightly less rigorous selection process, making it easier to start your stock photography adventure.
What Cheap Camera for Stock Photography?
Stock photography does not require the most expensive equipment available on the market. For those on a budget of up to £2,000, the Canon EOS 2000D or Nikon D3500 may be good choices.
Both cameras offer 24-megapixel APS-C sensors and provide very good image quality, especially in good lighting conditions.
In addition to the camera itself, a good accessory can be useful.
Accessory equipment for the stock photographer:
- A sturdy tripod for sharp images in all conditions
- High-capacity, fast-recordingmemory cards
- Minimum two rechargeable batteries with charger
- Basic lighting kit for studio photography
For a slightly higher budget, in the £2,000-3,500 range, consider the Sony A6100 or the Canon EOS 250D. The Sony A6100 is a mirrorless offering great autofocus and compact dimensions, while the Canon EOS 250D stands out as the smallest DSLR on the market, offering a rotating screen and very good image quality.
In terms of lenses, the budding stock photographer should consider a kit consisting of a standard 18-55mm zoom and a fixed-focus 50mm f/1.8 lens. The latter, despite its unaffordable price, offers great image quality and low-light capability.
What’s more, it’s worth remembering that it’s often a better investment to buy a good lens rather than a more expensive body – even a cheaper camera with quality glass can produce excellent results in stock photography.
How Do You Take Stock Photos?
1. Planning and Preparation
Stock photography requires careful planning. The photographer needs to analyse market trends, demand for certain subjects and visual styles. It is crucial to understand the needs of potential buyers and create images that respond to these needs.
2. Executing the Shoot
During the photo shoot, pay particular attention to:
- The quality of the photos
- Universality of the photographed situation
- Variety of applications
- Compatibility with current trends
- Legal correctness (model approvals, property rights)
3. Post-Production and Publication
The shoot is followed by careful selection and processing of the photos. Each photo must meet the high technical standards required by the image banks. The process includes:
- Colour and exposure correction
- Cropping for various formats
- Preparation of metadata and keywords
Legal Issues
Legal issues are particularly important in stock photography. Any photo with an image of a person requires a signed contract with the model (model release). Likewise, photography on private property or images of copyrighted objects requires the appropriate permissions.
Copyright and Licences
Stock photographs are sold under various types of licences:
- Royalty-free – the most common type, allowing multiple use of the photo
- Rights-managed – more restrictive, specifying the exact conditions of use
- Exclusive – granting exclusive use of an image
Trends in Stock Photography
Stock photography is constantly changing, reflecting current social and visual trends. Currently, there is a move away from artificially posed, corporate photos to more authentic, natural shots.
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This is why portals such as Stocksy are gaining in popularity. Also popular are:
- Variety
- Sustainability and ecology
- Technology and innovation
- Healthy lifestyles
- Remote working and digital nomadism
5 Tips for the Budding Photographer
For those starting out in stock photography, the key is:
- Knowing the technical requirements of image banks
- Understanding the needs of the market and current trends
- Building a diverse portfolio
- Being systematic in creating and publishing new images
- Accuracy in describing and categorising material
Stock photography is a demanding field, combining artistic and business skills. It requires not only photographic talent, but also an understanding of market mechanisms and visual trends.
For photographers able to meet these demands, however, it can be a source of stable supplementary income and the satisfaction that comes from a kind of freedom in creating a shoot.
