iStock
Details:
Industry: Microstock Agency
What they are looking for: Royalty Free Stock Photos, Royalty Free Illustrations, and Royalty Free Footage, Royalty Free Audio
Pay: Commission
Alexa Rating: 370
iStock is the microstock industry leader. Some people make a living by only selling photographs on iStock. iStock also offer a large range of products, most recently adding RF audio files. Unfortunately, iStock does have some pretty serious problems. Their uploading process is complete garbage, they cap your uploads at a seriously low amount of files per week (except audio), and they are more picky in their review process than any other microstock agency. It’s not all doom and gloom with iStock though. Once you have your files accepted they go into a beautifully designed interface. The iStock, site from a buyers perspective, is gorgeous and that will help sell your work. iStock also has some great statistics tools built right into your profile page. All in all, if you can handle only being able to upload 15 shots a week and having to upload them one at a time, then iStock will treat you well.
Submitting to iStock
iStock is not an easy site to get accepted to in comparison to any of the other microstock agencies. You first have to sign-up, then go to Upload on the left and click the Apply button next to the type of content you wish to submit. Royalty free photography is what made iStock the powerhouse it is today. They now have over half a million photos and illustrations for sale. With that in mind, I’m going to talk about submitting as a photographer. The application for photographers consists of uploading three files for review. Make sure your photographs are noise free and very sharp focus. All three must pass the review process for you to get in. If you do not pass the first time, you can just change out whichever photos did not pass and try again.
Cool iStock Features
Here are some of the things that made iStock the number one microstock agency:
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iStock sells a lot of photos. No matter how frustrated I get uploading to iStock, I know in the end it will be worth it. They will make me money.
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Since iStock takes so many different types of media, you can create a very unique portfolio if you have the skills.
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The iStock Vetta program allows some of your photos to be sold at a much higher price.
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iStock has a great article base where you can learn tons of great tips about how to make money on the site. These tips translate easily to any microstock agency.
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iStock also has a very active forum, although it is heavily moderated.
