This article covers the basics of selling stock photos-- the who, where, and what. It is easy to get started, and there are plenty of competing photographers, but if you are persistent and produce quality photographs, selling stock photos can be a rewarding experience and can earn you a little bit of extra cash.

Who can sell photos
Anyone with a decent camera can try to sell their photography. You don't have to be a professional photographer or have an expensive camera and studio setup, but you do need a little knowledge and experience. More important than the gear are the artistic and technical skills necessary to compose and take quality, compelling photographs.

The stock photography industry has opened its doors to amateurs and hobbyists with the introduction of so-called microstock companies. These companies offer stock images at extremely low prices. Traditionally, designers had to spend up to several hundred dollars for stock images, but microstock has created another pricing level, in the sub-$50 range. Any photographer can register at a microstock company and submit their photography for review and potential sale.

However, you can't just sell any old snapshot. There are various requirements for image quality and subject matter.

What photos to sell
Most microstock agencies have strict approval processes for the photographs they sell. Each agency has its own specific requirements, but most share the key issues of technical quality and subject matter.

Since stock photos are often used in printed marketing materials, images must be large enough to be reproduced in print. Four (4) megapixels is the standard minimum size requirement for stock photo use. In addition to size, the visual quality of the image must be very high. This means no dust, scratches, noise, or other blemishes. Proper composition, lighting, and focus are critical.

Subject matter is another key component of stock photos. Most agencies are looking for creative approaches to capturing an idea, emotion, or concept. Quality images featuring people, groups of people, activities, sporting events, and seasonal themes are in-demand. (Remember you will need a model release for every picture that features an identifiable person). On the other hand, pictures of sunsets, flowers, landscapes, and your pet ferret will not get accepted, unless they are outstanding.

Photographers who are new to the stock photo selling game can get carried away and try to take on too wide a variety of subjects. Do some research to find out what subjects are in-demand and pick a few areas to tackle before you take your first picture. Browse various stock agencies' galleries and make sure your images are up to par. Concentrate on creating the best possible images you can within your chosen niche. While quantity is important in making money selling stock, quality is still key.

Where to sell photos
Once you have photos worthy of being stock, you need to know where to sell them and what you can expect to earn. The main venue for selling stock photographs, especially for beginners, is online microstock agencies. You do not actually sell your images to an agency, rather the agency hosts (stores and displays) your photos and facilitates sale (licensing) to buyers. The photographer receives a commission or flat-rate payment each time his or her photos are licensed by a buyer.

There are several major 'traditional' stock agencies -- Getty, Jupiter, Corbis. It is unlikely you will get your work into these high-end companies. However, there are many smaller 'microstock 'agencies, like Dreamstime, Fotolia, Shutterstock, and iStockphoto, where you have a much better chance of getting your photos accepted. Find one that caters to your photographic interests.

What can you expect to earn? Selling stock photos is a game of numbers. Photographers earn a commission or flat rate each time an image is licenses. Commissions range from 20% to 60%, or $0.20 to $1.00 per image. How much you make depends on the demand for your images and how many images you have available. The more images you have available to sell, the more you are likely to make. You could make anywhere from a few bucks per month, to several hundred (or even thousand).

While you may not aspire to be a professional photographer, if you take great photos and follow a few guidelines, you can earn money from your hobby by selling your images as stock. You might even earn enough to buy that new lens you've had your eye on!

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