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Hi, I'm Lori! I'm a beginner/intermediate-level photographer and exploring my options career-wise. The portrait photography market is pretty much saturated where I live, so I think that's out. But microstock photography sounds, to me, like it could be fun! And I'm not looking to make millions, so the "will it sell, or won't it" aspect is not that huge a deal to me. I guess I should have said I'm interested in a "paying hobby", lol!

We use shotspy.com.  Saves lots of time...

When I started years ago, you not only could get almost anything approved, but it would sell also.  It's different now days.  I recommend picking one site to start with (see this page) and working that one site until you get a decent size portfolio.  By then, you will have images to submit to other sites and know more about what will work/sell for you.

I think it is relative to what you feel is "questionable small print".  I know it takes time, but I read them all.  You will probably be surprised in the differences you find.

I belong to 4 microstock sites and 3 traditional ones.  I really have a thing about keeping my microstock and traditional images serperated.  The only problem I have is not really a problem.  Corbis owns Veer.  Corbis dipped into my Veer account for images and then paid me the full Corbis commission.  So, a problem like this I can tolerate.  i do a lot of scientific photography, especially using the microscope.  They end up in textbooks, etc.  Pretty limited niche but I do OK.

To get back on topic, I like Shutterstock because I can count on them to be steady income earners.  It's just that I haven't been with most sites long enough to develop any trends.  I have been with Alamy and Shutterstock the longest (since '02 & '04).  Shutterstock has been the most consistantly accepting of my science stuff.  The others can't seem to decide.  One batch of images will get 100% acceptance and another will get 100% rejection.  So, additionally, I signed on to 2 traditional, science-only sites and things are starting to move nicely.  These traditional sites are accepting 70-80% of my submissions.  Most rejections are images that I have presented at several different magnifications, and then they choose only the ones that most suit their needs.

Jubal Harshaw

I don't use any yet but but I would like to know which (if any) stock agencies have questionable small print in their terms and conditions that we should be aware of, and perhaps should avoid.

Hello all,
Nothing terrifies me more than starting a project that could take a big chunk of however many years I have left. But I have almost decided to give microstock a go. Almost but not quite. Before I jump into that cold ocean I want to find out about how many people sink or swim.
What I have learnt already from other sources is that my existing images are not likely to be worth much because of the subject matter, so I need to develop a good eye for seeing what sells and a good nose for finding it. I hope you guys and gals are going to help so when JustaMinute asks a question, I want you all to fall over in the rush to answer.

Well, another one is closing this year.  Here is the email I received:


Dear Member:

We regret to inform you that as of 21 March 2010, www.thephotostorage.com will no longer continue operating as a stock photography agency.

On or before 21 March 2010 all files and accounts will be removed from our servers.

We thank you for your support and patient all these months.


ThePhotoStorage Team


They tried I guess, but never really brought in any stock buyers.  I wonder who will be next?

As a user and contributor of stock, I have my favorites.  If I had to pick only one for both, it would be Dreamstime.

As a seller, I like that they are one of the fairest sites for microstock contributing artists.  I also really like the tiered system they have created for our content.  I think it allows for a more even playing field.  You can have 2 or 2000 images, but both portfolios and members get relatively the same treatment.  I guess as you get more and more files, you may start to think it's not so fair.  Many sites tier systems are based on user downloads which separates the members into group levels.

As a buyer, they have fair prices and a decent website with the features I use.  I have used other sites and have my favorites for this or that; but if I had to pick only one it would be Dreamstime.

Who do you like the most and why?

As a user and contributor of stock, I have my favorites.  If I had to pick only one for both, it would be Dreamstime.  As a seller, I like that they are one of the fairest sites for microstock contributing artists.  As a buyer, they have fair prices and a decent website with the features I use.  I have used other sites and have my favorites for this or that; but if I had to pick only one it would be Dreamstime.

Who do you use and why?