Shoot Stock - Technique
Amateur Photographer 2 Nov 2019
Interview with Matthew Horwood
Professional photographer and stock library contributor.
Contributes editorial stock images to news agencies
1. He supplies Alamy and Getty. Getty has good reach. 11,000 with Alamy and 8000 with Getty. See
www.bapla.org.uk lists more than 100 agencies.
British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies
2. Variety and quality more important than numbers.
Uploaded 1,000-2,000 before he sees regular monthly sales.
3. Images exclusive to the agency - Alamy pays 50:50, but 40:60 for non-exclusive.
4. It takes time to make a good income. Most of his photography income is from commissioned work for PR clients and news agencies. Usually commissioned work leads to stock images.
5. A lot of time using the mirrorless Nikon Z7 - the small size and high resolution makes it perfect for stock when you want to pack light.
6. What sells well? Rights-managed editorial images mostly with a news theme. Political conference to images highlighting environmental issues. Also images related to ongoing issues sell well e.g. high street closures.
7. Do you write the keywords yourself? Yes. use software Photo Mechanic to keyword images. Incredibly fast, autocompletion of keywords, keyword libraries, structured/nested keywords etc. Keywording is one of the most important parts of the process. If a customer can't find you, they can't buy the images.
8. Is it a good idea to include people in your pictures? Yes, if the person's identity is central to the image - politician or celebrity. Close-up of hands on a walking stick, doctor holding test tubes.
9 A strong stock image - whether it tells a story quickly and directly. Anything new or different is a bonus. More obscure , lesser photographed pic seem to sell well cf. sunsets or beaches e.g. hand filling up a car with petrol.
10. Current trends in stock? Brexit, sugar tax, high street shop closures, environmental issues, gig economy worker, social and housing issues.
Many stock libraries list 'picture needs' on their websites---alamy 'What should I shoot'. Read up on latest photography trends for inspiration and ideas.
11. Listen to news/read papers for leads?
Yes. Read online news. Make list of potential stock images. Some need planning.
MATTHEW'S TOP TIPS FOR SELLING STOCK
1. Spot trends - market not saturated with stock- sells better
2. Be efficient. Try to keyword, caption and upload your stock shots asap. Make it a routine. Newer images - Buyers often search for images in the order they were taken.
3. Keyword carefully. Details matter. Use keywording software like Photo Mechanic.
4. Watch the news. Online news. News outlets buy stock images every day. Make list of ideas for stock images. useful.
5. Quality over quantity.
---------
AP'S TO TIPS FOR MAXIMISING SALES
1. Keep costs down. Shoot stock during work/travel.
2. Stay local. Better than Eiffel Tower or Santorini. Local landmarks, towns and villages - imagine you are a tourist in your own neighbourhood.
3. Remain flexible. Do research, use google map. If scaffolding in building, this could be a unique opportunity for valuable stock
images
4. Display as thumbnails. Look at everything as a thumbnail. If it does not stand out, tweak it or don't submit it.
5. Make connections. If you don't ask, you don't get.
6. Aim high. Achievable goals. e.g. one image a month. Be patient. Take camera out everywhere you go.
3. Images exclusive to the agency - Alamy pays 50:50, but 40:60 for non-exclusive.
4. It takes time to make a good income. Most of his photography income is from commissioned work for PR clients and news agencies. Usually commissioned work leads to stock images.
5. A lot of time using the mirrorless Nikon Z7 - the small size and high resolution makes it perfect for stock when you want to pack light.
6. What sells well? Rights-managed editorial images mostly with a news theme. Political conference to images highlighting environmental issues. Also images related to ongoing issues sell well e.g. high street closures.
7. Do you write the keywords yourself? Yes. use software Photo Mechanic to keyword images. Incredibly fast, autocompletion of keywords, keyword libraries, structured/nested keywords etc. Keywording is one of the most important parts of the process. If a customer can't find you, they can't buy the images.
8. Is it a good idea to include people in your pictures? Yes, if the person's identity is central to the image - politician or celebrity. Close-up of hands on a walking stick, doctor holding test tubes.
9 A strong stock image - whether it tells a story quickly and directly. Anything new or different is a bonus. More obscure , lesser photographed pic seem to sell well cf. sunsets or beaches e.g. hand filling up a car with petrol.
10. Current trends in stock? Brexit, sugar tax, high street shop closures, environmental issues, gig economy worker, social and housing issues.
Many stock libraries list 'picture needs' on their websites---alamy 'What should I shoot'. Read up on latest photography trends for inspiration and ideas.
11. Listen to news/read papers for leads?
Yes. Read online news. Make list of potential stock images. Some need planning.
MATTHEW'S TOP TIPS FOR SELLING STOCK
1. Spot trends - market not saturated with stock- sells better
2. Be efficient. Try to keyword, caption and upload your stock shots asap. Make it a routine. Newer images - Buyers often search for images in the order they were taken.
3. Keyword carefully. Details matter. Use keywording software like Photo Mechanic.
4. Watch the news. Online news. News outlets buy stock images every day. Make list of ideas for stock images. useful.
5. Quality over quantity.
---------
AP'S TO TIPS FOR MAXIMISING SALES
1. Keep costs down. Shoot stock during work/travel.
2. Stay local. Better than Eiffel Tower or Santorini. Local landmarks, towns and villages - imagine you are a tourist in your own neighbourhood.
3. Remain flexible. Do research, use google map. If scaffolding in building, this could be a unique opportunity for valuable stock
images
4. Display as thumbnails. Look at everything as a thumbnail. If it does not stand out, tweak it or don't submit it.
5. Make connections. If you don't ask, you don't get.
6. Aim high. Achievable goals. e.g. one image a month. Be patient. Take camera out everywhere you go.
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Jul 28, 2019
TIPS FROM NICOLE GLASS
Zdenka Darula spoke on Nicole Glass website
1. Videos earn more. Learn how to do it.
2. Can make a full-time if research trends, effort and skills, and create more of the in-demand images for shutterstock.
-----------------------------------
2. Uploading branded products to shuttlestock - illustrative editorial images
ILLUSTRATIVE Editorial image (need really amazing and good quality), high demand but not supersaturated categories..
Smaller brands
Famous Combine with other products or unique ways.
MUST KEY in "Illustrative" "Editorial".
Cannot add or remove ie.. NO ALETERATION. Can colour enhance
v. regular editorial image (document event e.g. politics, protest, no need so sharp and high quality)
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