Jobs such as photographers are required to always be creative so that they can always produce coffers. What’s more, competition in this industry is quite tight. And photography, which always develops all the time thanks to technology makes it easier for many people to claim themselves as photographers. Armed with a smartphone or an entry level class photo camera, you can develop capabilities in this field.
The next question, along with intense competition, is how to make money from the world of photography. There is one method that is widely used by photographers, namely selling their work on online platforms that are scattered on the internet. So you must know the tricks how to sell photos on the internet.
- Establishing niche or genre of photography
The first concern is finding your photography niche. Some people call it a genre. By mastering a particular niche, it will be easier for you to focus and find your characteristics compared to other photographers.
Every successful photographer is generally very consistent on one theme or genre as his work. People will tend to follow characters who share the same interests.
Finding the right photography theme for sale is synonymous with finding the main style of your photos. But you also don’t have to be rigid on just one theme. You can evaluate the request of the theme you present.
- Build an audience
For people who work in the creative field, a photographer really needs to form his own viewers. These are the people who will enjoy every photographic work of the photographers. This audience will become not only connoisseurs, but also good critics for the progress of your works.
- Make income variations
A photographer should not only rely on one source of income. Many photographers do sell their ability to make money. For example, being a wedding photographer or certain events. Try to start selling your photos to the online platform. So, your stock photos do not accumulate on the hard disk, which is ready to be deleted at any time when the memory feels full.
How to Sell Photos on the Internet
Out there, there are many places or platforms that you can use to sell your photos. Some are familiar like Getty Images Shutterstock, and Adobe Stock. Out of the three, there are many more, which will be explained in the next section of this article.
Licensing is a popular way to sell photos online. You can sell your photos to brands, publishers, or anyone interested in using your photos for any purpose. And the key is, you have to pay attention to whether your photo is versatile enough when used as an illustration. Especially those featuring human subjects.
Here’s a collection of platforms where you can sell photos online:
1. Getty Images
It’s hard not to get the name Getty Images in the first place on this list. That said, Getty Images is the biggest player in the photo licensing business. Getty Images can attract brands or publishers who are looking for exclusive photos to be licensed.
The standard set by Getty Image to accept contributors is higher than other photo stocks. The rate for each photo licensed on Getty Images starts at 20{40778e52b7835c4e9e01f50184ac0465d116816c5b81e1e85438069c23bdfddd}.
2. Shutterstock
In second place is Shutterstock. Shutterstock is a micro-stock site, which means photos are not exclusive and are priced cheaper. Indeed, the income to be received will not be as large as compared to number one. But this is the right place for beginners to learn.
Payments are based on your income from time to time, ranging from 20{40778e52b7835c4e9e01f50184ac0465d116816c5b81e1e85438069c23bdfddd} to 30{40778e52b7835c4e9e01f50184ac0465d116816c5b81e1e85438069c23bdfddd}. There is also an affiliate program, where you can get extra income if a new photographer joins using your link.
3. Adobe Stock
On the next list there is the name Adobe Stock. From the name alone you would have guessed, that this site is owned by digital imaging giant, Adobe. Adobe Stock is one of the best places to sell photos online. Because every photo you sell on Adobe Stock will appear in Fotolia, another micro-stock site bought by Adobe.
4. iStock
It’s not just Adobe that has a micro-stock website, iStock. Commissions given range from 25{40778e52b7835c4e9e01f50184ac0465d116816c5b81e1e85438069c23bdfddd} -45{40778e52b7835c4e9e01f50184ac0465d116816c5b81e1e85438069c23bdfddd}, depending on which photos are exclusive or not.
5. Alamy Stock Photos
Next is the name Alamy Stock Photos. Alamy pays its contributors on a monthly basis and has a variety of payment options. By selling photos to Alamy, you as a photographer get a commission of 50{40778e52b7835c4e9e01f50184ac0465d116816c5b81e1e85438069c23bdfddd}. Payments are deposited on a monthly basis, with a minimum withdrawal of USD 50.
6. Fotolia
On the sixth list is Fotolia, which is now owned by Adobe. Fotolia has two subscription models for its users. Namely Pay As You Go and Subscription. Photos sold by Pay As You Go, you will get a commission ranging from 20{40778e52b7835c4e9e01f50184ac0465d116816c5b81e1e85438069c23bdfddd} -63{40778e52b7835c4e9e01f50184ac0465d116816c5b81e1e85438069c23bdfddd}. While the subscription is several percent larger.
7. 123RF
Another microstock platform that pays its contributors based on the number of downloads or purchases is 123RF. 123RF gives a commission of 30{40778e52b7835c4e9e01f50184ac0465d116816c5b81e1e85438069c23bdfddd} -60{40778e52b7835c4e9e01f50184ac0465d116816c5b81e1e85438069c23bdfddd} to its contributors.