We’ve hit the halfway mark in my Microstock course and my brain is on overload. I’ve taken a peek at Lesson 5 and it doesn’t look like Pete is going to let up on us. Each week he has challenged everyone to research the business and make choices about what to shoot based on what we learn. We’ve all taken something from the lessons and tried to make it work. Here are a few things I can share with you.
People Count The biggest hurdle for many of us is that to separate our images from say the 6.5 million images and +150,000 photographers on Shutterstock, we should include people. For me, the obstacle is two fold and I suspect this may be the same for others in the class. First we may not have access to models or family and friends who would fill the breach and it doesn’t pay to use professional models as on average you only make $4 per image or less. We have had to be creative coming up with ways to include people for example, I have asked co-workers and tapped into staff working for my family to serve as models. Second many of us play in an area normally devoid of people say landscapes or animals. Not only are we learning what images will work best in MS, we have had to learn to work with a whole new photographic element. Photographers who love and know how to take pictures of people will find it easier to include the MS market in their business. The rest of us just have to work a little harder.
Supply and Demand The MS market is like any other business; there are niches that are under serviced and many of them make sense. Take for instance the medical field. Demand for images in this area is high in part because supply is limited. Not many photographers have access to a medical facility or medical equipment. If you do, see if you can find a way to leverage your position to secure those hard to obtain images. Demand is also driven by growing markets and the good news is access to some of those markets isn’t terribly difficult. With the aging population, businesses are looking for images of Seniors and apparently they are a huge category within MS. If you are looking for models, visit a Seniors home and probably you’ll find lots of volunteers. While you’re there, spend some time making someone’s day as many Seniors would love to have the attention and to make new friends. Don’t forget your model releases!
Size matters When shooting for MS, you need to remember that buyers are looking at a one inch image. Think about your composition and what you can do to grab their attention. Some MS websites now have a preview function which shows the image at three inches when you place your mouse over it. I think you are better off composing your images with the one inch principle in mind. If your image doesn’t catch their eye, they won’t bother previewing it. The tomato above was previously shot at a much wider angle but Pete’s suggestion was to go tighter and I agree. Now it is a stronger image compositionally and I believe it will appeal to a wider audience. By the way today’s title is courtesy of Pete who apparently has an affinity for tomatoes 
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