The Ann Arbor District Library accepted my proposal to give a presentation on “Getting started in stock photography” ! It’ll be on Wednesday October 16, 7:30 – 9 pm in the downtown library. So excited to share what I have learned with others… :) The current outline is below. I’d appreciate any questions you might ask at such a presentation or anything obvious you see missing so I can make sure I’m covering all the bases. Submit them and any other suggestions in the comments section, thanks!
- Introduction
- What is stock photography? With visual examples
- General definition
- Editorial vs. non-editorial
- Royalty-free vs. Rights managed
- Examples e.g. Shutterstock, Alamy, Dreamstime
- Equipment needed
- DLSR camera (or really good smartphone)
- Tripod
- Access to editing software – Photoshop, Lightroom
- Requirements for good stock photography – would show examples, walk-through
- Perfect focus at full size (100%)
- No noise
- No watermarks
- Good composition
- Cleaned up photo
- Right size
- No logos or copyrights if not editorial
- Credentials if needed for events
- Title, caption, keywords, categories
- Model and property releases
- But first have to be accepted by a stock photo website – requirements
- Use Shutterstock as example
- Exclusive or non-exclusive?
- Branding – optional
- Photogallery
- Website
- Business cards
- Artist statement
- Tearsheet
- Legal considerations
- “Doing business as” license
- Protecting your own photographs
- Event and travel photography suggestions
- Suggestions to get started
- Determine your goal
- Become a better photographer (Shutter speed, apertures, ISO)
- Invest in a good camera
- Take a lot of photos
- Read stock photography blogs
- Set up home studio (optional)
- Network
- Ann Arbor Women Artists – http://www.annarborwomenartists.org
- The Arts Alliance – a3arts.org
- Watch for impostor syndrome
- Acknowledgements
Susan Montgomery Photos 