Stock Photography: June 2008 Archives

It seems there's a how-to book for everything -- including selling stock photos. Scott Stulberg identifies the must-have resource, the "bible," that everyone attempting to get into stock photos should have.

I also asked him what is the one thing he most wanted people to remember from this interview.

Scott Stulberg mentioned earlier in the interview that you must get model releases signed by your subjects if you intend to use them in selling stock photos. I understand the need for that. Yet, approaching strangers may seem daunting to many listeners. How do I get over that? Are there any tools you can use?

Scott Stulberg suggests some exercises you can do and provides some great tips to help you be more successful.

In another part of this interview, Scott Stulberg explained that photographs of people with a laptop are sure sellers. This picture of Samburu warriors dressed in traditional garb with a laptop seems like a great example. Scott talks about how much thinking ahead was required to get images like this.

This photograph of a Samburu warrior tells a great story. He seems completely unaware of the photographer. Scott Stulberg describes how he made this all seem so natural.

This photograph of lions is quite unusual - there are four of them in a tree. Scott Stulberg explains why he finds it important to look for the unusual to create stock photographs that sell.

Anyone who has traveled to Paris has photographed the Eiffel Tower. This photograph by Scott Stulberg is different. The twilight and the use of a wide angle lens make for a very interesting picture. Scott explains how he created such an unusual -- and stunning -- image of an iconic landmark.

The face of the child in this photo from Burma is interesting, and this is a best-selling stock photograph. She's wearing traditional makeup, but she's facing away from the camera. Scott Stulberg explains the story behind this photograph.

The next of Scott Stulberg's images is a gorgeous shot of horses. Scott reveals how he uses animals like horses in photo shoots, and what he does to get great, natural-looking results.

Photographing lightning isn't easy. I guess I should say that taking good photographs of lightning isn't easy. Scott Stulberg explains how he managed to get this photo of lightning over downtown Los Angeles.

This photograph of Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur is really something. It's truly awe-inspiring. Scott Stulberg explains how he encountered something that was so beautiful it made his jaw drop.

I'm looking at a really fun photograph of a sea lion. He seems so calm, and disinterested in the photographer. Did Scott Stulberg have any trouble getting the sea lion to "pose?"

This is a charming photograph of a Mexican girl in a mall. Her hair and clothing are just right. Scott Stulberg explained why this is the perfect shot for a stock agency.

I'm looking at a wonderful image of a beach sunset, with a young man playing football. He's in silhouette, and it's just amazing.

Did Scott Stulberg capture this shot with just one exposure?

Scott Stulberg is a master of stock photography, and he brought examples of his work to share with our audience. The first one is an unusual shot of a woman in water. I asked Scott to explain how he managed this stunning photograph.

Successful stock photographers must have some secrets that set them head and shoulders above the rest of us. Selling stock photography isn't easy, as Scott Stulberg has pointed out.

I asked Scott how he became successful. He was generous enough to share his secrets.

I asked Scott Stulberg what exactly is the ideal stock image for an agency. Even if I'm a great photographer, if I take pictures that no one wants to see in advertisements, then I know I'm not going to be successful at taking a stock image. So what should I take pictures of?

I asked Scott Stulberg what subjects agencies buy. And I asked him if listeners should beef up their travel budgets so they can travel to exotic locations to find those subjects. Here's what Scott had to say...

It seems pretty clear you have to be a good photographer to be successful at selling stock photos. Scott has also taught us about the benefits of hard work and good equipment.

But there must be ways to go that one step farther -- to be a great stock photographer.

I asked Scott Stulberg what would be the one thing our listeners should work on more than anything else to be successful.

We've heard Scott Stulberg say that selling to a stock agency isn't easy. Not only do you have to work hard and be relentless, but you also have to be talented. How do you figure out if you're good enough?

Are there ways to compare your photographs to the sort of photographs the agency typically buys? Should you stick with the bigger stock agencies? Does the kind of camera gear you own make a difference?

I asked Scott Stulberg to explore the question of 'good enough.'

I asked Scott Stulberg what mistakes people make when they want to get into stock photography, and if it's possible to make a living selling microstock. He talked about how the business is changing and explained that the big agencies aren't the only players in the game any more.

I asked him how much money one could make selling to microstock agencies, and if he thinks it's worth it.

The allure of selling stock photos to the big agencies obscures the fact you have to be a great photographer to be successful. Agencies aren't just buying anything that comes over the transom.

I asked Scott Stulberg how to avoid the biggest mistake people make when they consider getting into stock photography.

Find out what Scott Stulberg believes is the single biggest people make when they want to earn money selling stock photos.

Low-end microstock agencies have changed the stock photography world. They have made selling stock more accessible to more photographers, but they've also changed the way the great photographers work.

We asked Scott Stulberg if he's felt the effects of the move away from the big agency policies to the less exclusive policies of the microstock agencies.

Read on to find out more about microstock agencies...

Question: As an amateur, I have no idea how to get started in selling stock photos. I know they're the beautiful pictures I see in magazines, but how do they get from my camera into the publication? Do I need to use a stock agency to do this? How do I find one? What am I forgetting to ask?

Scott Stulberg has mastered the art of stock photography. I asked him to explain the world of stock photography and how to get started in it.

This week I interview Scott Stulberg, a very successful stock photographer who is represented by five of the top stock photography agencies. Hear the questions you asked and he answered.

Learn a little about his background and what made him become a stock photographer. We'll give you links to the resources we discuss during the interview, and you can view the stunning photographs Scott describes during the show.

Ever thought you could make your fortune in stock photography? Do you think you're good enough? Do you have any idea how to get started? Listen to master photographer, Scott Stulberg, as he answers seven of your biggest questions about stock photography.

Scott's expert answers will teach you what stock photography is, give you insight into whether or not your photos are good enough to sell to the best stock photography agencies, and he'll instruct you on the nuts and bolts of how to earn money by selling your photographs as stock. He'll demystify the process and show you how to become a successful stock photographer.

How we picked the 7 stock questions to answer...