First of many, Welcome to Microstuck!

Welcome to Microstuck! The blog that helps you get stuck on Microstock photography.

Content will be divided into different categories as they become necessary. Since today is day one, I would like to start with basics.

What is microstock?

Microstock is (as defined by Wikipedia): Microstock photography, also known as micropayment photography, is an offshoot of traditional stock photography. What defines a company as a microstock photography company is that they:

(1) source their images almost exclusively via the Internet

(2) do so from a wider range of photographers than the traditional stock agencies (including a willingness to accept images from "amateurs" and hobbyists)

and (3) sell their images at a very low rate (anywhere from $.20 - $10) for a royalty-free image.

That definition is right on the money. That is exactly what you will find when you enter the world of microstock photography: A company selling your pictures to clients and paying you (the photographer) a percentage of the income.

It does not stop there, however, as microstock companies are a recent development (within the last 10 years or so) and are still expanding rapidly into new and diverse fields. Take video footage, company logos, and even sound clips as perfect examples of how microstock is growing.

This business model makes selling your images a snap and simplifies one of the biggest issues photographers face, finding buyers. Microstock facilitates that issue by uniting a large portion of the buyers market under "one roof" so to speak. These gathered buyers can then pick and choose images for a fee. Imagine, if you will, a buffet type setting. Buyers look around, sample the delicacies and take what they like, and the chefs get paid a commision for each of their delicious items that get chosen.

Bad analogy aside, I am sure you can see the next question forming... How do you make them choose your images instead of your competition's?

And that we will leave for the next entry :)