An Introduction to Picture Libraries
by Angie Sharp LRPS www.sharp-photographs.co.uk

What is stock photography?

The term "stock" refers to any image or set of images readily available for a picture buyer to purchase, either direct from the photographer or through a stock library. The buyer purchases a licence to use the image(s) and is charged according to use.

Stock images are used for many purposes:- magazines, books, newspapers, calendars, postcards, posters, greetings cards, CD covers, corporate brochures, websites, advertising… the list is endless!

How the process works

You will need to register as a contributor and submit a few sample images which will be checked for quality and content. If accepted you will be asked to sign a contract and can then make further submissions.

The library offers images for sale using their own set pricing structure, and take a commission from each sale. Contracts, terms and commission rates vary, so it's important to read all wordings carefully before committing yourself.

Nowadays most libraries operate electronically, requiring digital submissions or uploads. Images are viewed and purchased via their website, and are available for immediate delivery to clients.

"Microstock" libraries offer RF images (see below) for sale at rock bottom prices ($1 or less). Buyers purchase "download credits", and download the images they require, using up a certain number of credits per download depending on image size. Photographers make money from volume sales - due to the low price images can sell many times over.

Licencing Types

Before releasing images for sale you must decide which of the two main licence types to apply to each image - Rights Managed (RM) or Royalty Free (RF). Each image (and any similar ones) should be sold under a single licence type and once set the licence should remain.

Rights Managed
Images are licensed according to use (size, placement, print run, territory, etc.). If additional use is required a further fee will be payable. Advantages to a picture buyer are that usage of the image is carefully controlled, sales history is available to clients, and there is some degree of exclusivity. RM images generally attract higher fees.

Royalty Free
Images are licensed for sale by unit (a unit being one or more images), with the fee based on the size of the image purchased. The buyer has virtually unlimited usage rights and can use the image repeatedly without further payment. Whilst this offers a low cost option, the downside is that any number of other buyers could also be using the image so its appearance will be less exclusive.

What sells?

Anything and everything! Landscapes, abstracts, travel, nature, food, etc. Lifestyle and business images are always in great demand, as is anything topical or environmental. I've included some of my sample images in this article showing sales and net earnings to date for each.

Preparation

Check that your images meet the required technical specification in terms of size, file types, embedded profiles, etc. If your camera does not capture large enough images you can upsize them in Photoshop or other specialist software.

Check the quality of each image carefully at 100% magnification, and only submit images that are technically perfect and free from dust spots or other blemishes.

Before submitting your images you will need to attach relevant keywords and captions to them. This step can be the most time consuming task in the whole process… BUT IT IS ALSO THE MOST IMPORTANT. Buyers will search for images on the library's website by entering keywords into a search box. You may have some superb images available but if they don't have the right keywords attached they will never be found!

Keeping records

Make sure you have an efficient system in place for logging and tracking your submissions and sales, so you can produce statistics to analyse what works best for you (which libraries/subjects are earning you the most money).

Useful resources

BFP (Bureau of Freelance Photographers) - www.thebfp.com
BAPLA (British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies) - www.bapla.org
SAA (Stock Artists Allicance) - www.stockartistsalliance.org

Angie Sharp