The number of images received from photographers the first working week of 2011 has decreased by 6.16% compared with the same week in 2010; however, the number of photographers sending images has increased by 61.61%. In other words, we see more photographers sending smaller selections of images, more frequently. Is something changing?

Our acceptance rate has also increased, growing from 36.05% to 47.17% during the same time period. Clients want to see new content everyday and among some photographers, quality is increasing. If the acceptance rate for any submission sent to us is over 47.17%, you are actually doing very well. Congratulations!!

However, one wonders, how can photographers possibly think that selections of dull and uninteresting images like these below have good sale possibilities? The old rule in stock photography has always been “Color, color, color, and more color.” Are certain photographers suffering from color blindness?

There is another kind of color blindness that we observe among other photographers. Time and time again, they send us underexposed images like the ones below.  Are they working with the correct screen gamma?

Understand that if your images don’t have well-photographed and interesting subjects with strong color and saturation, they won’t sell. A surprisingly high number of photographers don’t take the time to finish and polish their work.

I think it’s time to wake up, Friends, because I must say: many of the photographers sending images for age fotostock, and surprisingly, for easyFotostock, understand color very well. Their images are highly saturated and colorful, probably something that some of them have learned in the highly competitive microstock market. 

Well, Photographers, not all is lost, at least many shooters have learned to create bright and highly colorful images. Why not all of you? 

Have you ever taken a photo that you were absolutely positive would sell like hot cakes… and it didn’t sell…at all?  But then a random image you took of the back of an old box, broken glasses or some odd thing, has sold.  And keeps selling.  And you’ve wondered: What are those clients looking for?!

Well, we don’t promise a miracle, get-rich-quick, wish-list of ideas… but we would like to share some ideas, based on the requests of real age fotostock clients. 

If you are interested in receiving these photo ideas, follow age fotostock on twitter where you’ll find this first Production Tip: images in demand... a large pile of clothes on a white background (still).  We will be sharing these tips through Twitter only, not the blog, so click on through today.

Now the fine print.  It’s not just the idea or subject; it’s your creative interpretation and competent execution of that idea which will produce a good sellable image. Are you up for the challenge?

Choosing and directing your models in a lifestyle shoot is only half of the game in stock photography.  You must also find a good location and props for the images.  If you try to work in conditions like those detailed in the "Love it not..." list below, you´ll be fighting an uphill battle.  Make it easier on yourself by preparing the most advantageous setting posible, following these tips from our own experience.  

Here are some examples of luminous, domestic settings that we love.  Notice the absence of distracting elements and also notice how a few simple props can create a feeling of "home."

Love it!

Luminous locations and natural light complemented with minimal flash fill and reflectors. 

Continuous source lighting such as cool lights (fluorescent) or LEDs.  When you need a little more light to open up shadows and to create volumes, these lights allow you to see the light available to you and don´t heat up like other lights do.

Natural environments with simple details to create an atmosphere, without excessive clutter in the scene. 

Even, balanced tones and pastel colors in your models' clothing which can be easily distinguished from the background but which do not appear dark in the luminous setting. Clothing that is more neutral in style (something that will not go out of style next year).

The newest models of technological devices if used as props.

“Neutral” props that could be found around the world (a houseplant is better than an expensive looking Italian vase). Props that are incorporated into the scene in natural, non-distracting ways.

Lots of angles, frames and photos to give our editors more choices, rather than long elaborate preparations which result in few, static shots.

Actively explored negative (copy) space above, below, to the left and to the right of the subject.

Spontaneous ideas and moments that a location inspires. Don’t limit yourself to a strict schedule and linear way of thinking.

Love it not…

Locations that are unknown or not easily available to you… will you know how to direct your models properly in the environment you are shooting?  If you don’t, you better bring a guide or find an environment that you do know.

When a photographer has rushed through a list of topics and/or locations at the expense of exploring each idea with different angles, lenses, models, props, etc.

The same lens and point of view during the entire shoot. 

Sweating the "small stuff."  Don’t obsess about very little things like plugs, cables, etc. that can be corrected in Photoshop, at the expense of progressing in the shoot.  We are more interested in your ideas.

Dark or extremely distracting backgrounds that make it difficult to easily and clearly see the model in the photo.

Elaborate lighting setups that limit the photographer´s mobility and slow down the entire production.  We aren´t a fan of tungsten/halogen lights because they get very hot and consume a lot of energy. 

Strobe or studio flash lights are more difficult to work with because you can´t see the light that you must use. This increases the possibilities of overly bright spots and renegade shadows, and slows down the work pace considerably.

Lighting that creates dark shadows and areas on the model’s face and body.  

Clothing with obvious logos or distinctive designs such as Adidas shoes or objects that are protected by copyright or trademark, such as the Rubik cube.  Big no-no.  

Women (or men) in unnecessarily revealing clothing that will offend more conservative markets and limit the photo’s overall marketability.

A model wearing the same clothes during the whole shoot.  If clothing is not your thing, check out the styling links below or hire a stylist.

There´s a lot more to know about location, lighting and styling, so we´ve included this list of additional resources.

Lighting Lifestyle Stock Photos!

What are Continuous Lighting Sources?

Portrait Photography using continuous lighting (video)

Styling tips by Yuri Arcurs

Production Values: How to Shoot Commercial Quality Images (on styling and props)

One of the first steps in preparing a shoot is to find the models.  Depending on your background and your budget, these might be professional, amateur, family, friends or even people off the street.

Should I work with professional models?

The value of a professional model has less to do with their good looks and more to do with the ability to pose naturally and communicate different emotions clearly.  Working with a professional will ensure that you get the good images quickly and frequently, since their experience enables them to anticipate what you want, avoid unflattering positions/expressions and come prepared to work hard during a shoot.  Modeling fees vary by country/city, so you can contact a local model agency in your area to find out the cost.  If you are just starting to shoot model-released people pictures, you might prefer to practice first with friends or family.

What if I can’t afford to pay a professional?

Working with free or low cost models is something that some stock photographers have made into an art form, by dedicating specific sections on their websites to attracting and instructing potential models to be.  Generally, photographers that work with amateur models will offer free images/prints for portfolio, the promise of payment after a certain number of successful test sessions or some other exchange.  To avoid future hassles, be sure that the model clearly understands what they will receive and what is expected of them (more below).

What to keep in mind with amateurs?

If working with amateurs (including family members and friends), you must explain clearly that they will need to sign a model release.  A model release (our standard releases here) is a legal agreement between you and a model that you may use their photos for commercial/editorial purposes around the world.  They should understand that their photos will be seen on the internet and sold for any use (excluding sensitive, derogatory, pornographic, or illicit uses) both now and in the future (even if they are no longer your girl/boyfriend/wife/husband!). 

Also keep in mind that amateurs might not know how to pose for photos.  YouTube has a number of videos on “Model posing” or “modeling tips” that might give them ideas, although be aware that there’s a big difference between fashion modeling and stock modeling.  You should be prepared to direct them during your photo-session.  To do that, you´ll need to know what photos you´d like to make and how to communicate that to your models.  For example, maybe you want a photo of an senior couple on a sofa that communicates security and comfort.  You should tell them where to sit, explain the feeling of security that you´re trying to get, encourage them to smile, look at each other/or the camera, and keep talking to them until they relax and begin to seem natural in the situation you´ve created. To achieve this with amateurs/nonmodels, a photographer must have the ability to connect easily with people, put them at ease and inspire confidence. 

If you´re still not really sure how to choose your models, don´t worry, we´ll be posting a top 10 dos and don´ts for models list next...

Really, it's not so scary.  Before you run for the street to take yet another unreleased image of "The Window Shopping Old Lady in a Red Coat" or "The Large Woman in Bikini at the Beach" or "The Hungry Looking Street Child in the Third World"… listen for just a moment.

Models are people too.  The difference between them and the characters mentioned above is: they know that you’re taking their photo, they want you to and most importantly of all, they sign a release which gives you permission to license that image.

Why bother to shoot model-released images of people?

Good images of people will sell. The general consensus across the industry is that people, lifestyle, and business/industry are stock’s all-time, consistent top sellers.    That is the positive reason.  The negative reason is that nowadays, photographs of random people without releases are becoming more and more risky for stock agencies to show, even when marked for editorial use only.

What do clients want and buy?

Clients want model-released images of people that convey a message and thus help sell a product, be it a vacation, a retirement fund, a heating system or a magazine.  And usually (but not always) they want the image to be a good photograph, well composed and with good copy space for the client’s message.  Logically, it’s easier to sell with a positive message than a negative message, so generally the images should communicate positive ideas such as happiness, confidence, peace, health, etc. 

Are you up to the challenge?

Could you make a model-released image that communicates an idea like the following? Senior enjoying golden years.  Connected teens.  Good customer service.  Those images could be used to advertise medicines, investment plans, phones, universities, insurance, hospitals and much more.  If you don’t think you could make an image like this, but you would like to try, stay tuned to the blog.  In upcoming posts, we will talk about how to photograph (people) models.  We will give you shoot preparation do’s & don’t, talk with a lifestyle photographer, examine the ever elusive client request for “real people” and give you lots of ideas.