We’ve been talking a LOT about selling your photos through online stock agencies this week because it’s one of the easiest ways to start selling your photos… and it can create a nice passive income stream for you.
But really, the coolest thing about selling your photos as stock (besides the passive income) is that you get to photograph what you like. You upload it at your pace. And then you’re done. No one is breathing down your neck, expecting anything of you.
Throughout the week, you’ve heard a bunch of great tips for selling stock photos as stock from our stock photo experts. They’ll definitely help you get ahead.
Today, here are three additional tips from stock photographer Shelly Perry that I think are actually more important than anything you’ve read about stock so far – especially the last one:
1. Shoot subjects that are fun and positive. Most advertisements (no matter what they are selling) want an element of positivity.
For example, take a look at these two photos of a mother and child. Which one do you think is more likely to sell an insurance plan, a daycare, a school program, laundry detergent… or anything?
2. Regardless of trends, focus on strong, clear subjects. The viewer should be able to look at your photo and immediately identify the subject. Whenever you can, think simple.
3. And most importantly… shoot what you love! The greatest advantage of selling your photos as stock is that your hobbies, adventures, favorite places, and people in your life can all become part of your income.
Try it out – it only takes an afternoon to get started. And who knows how far you’ll take it. Some of our members now have thousands of photos up for sale on stock agencies and cash checks every month.
The sooner you start, the better.
[Editor’s Note: Learn more about how you can fund your travels and make an extra income with photography, travel writing, blogging, and more in our free online newsletter The Right Way to Travel. Sign up here today and we’ll send you a new report, Five Fun Ways To Get Paid To Travel: A Quick-Start Guide, completely FREE.]