Taking Stock of Stock

I've been looking into stock photography a bit more lately and while the idea of shooting what I want and making money at it is exciting it is also pretty scary and intimidating to be honest. Right now I have two images on iStockphoto.com. No sales and just 400 or so views together. Those kind of numbers aren't exactly inspiring. 


I think the biggest obstacle is me right now though. I want learn how to do the research into what sells so I can produce marketable images and maybe raid my existing shots for potential candidates too.  I have shots that could make me a bit of money and maybe once I make that first sale I'll be confident enough to try to sell some more. In that vein, I am going to try to submit ten image to iStock by the end of the month. Its an attainable goal and it will be a step in the right direction.


I think stock photography will fit in with my overall game plan. (I have one of those???)  One of the things I've read and heard from pro photographers is to diversify. I think selling stock, doing some weddings and family shots, and selling the occasional fine art print would be a great start. 

Photography? What photography?

Its almost been a month since I posted anything here. I think its been almost a month since I uploaded any pictures to my computer. Aside from a few snaps from my iPhone I don't recall actually taking any pictures since November 10th.

I attended a workshop done by Joe McNally in the middle of November. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Joe as he went through setting up his lights and creating great images but I also learned a lot even when he failed. It made me realize that I just have to get out there and try things. Take some risks. Sometimes things blow up. A lot of times they don't. And that's OK.  I was motivated and I was inspired.

And I did nothing.

Back in June I posted a link to a video that Zack Arias did called Transform. Its powerful and I'll load it up once in awhile to inspire me. But its not a lack of inspiration that's struck me. Check that. Its not only a lack of inspiration that's struck me.  I've also been busy with work, with hockey, with catching up on editing on previous photo projects...heck with just life in general. I've been run down and run around and I just don't have the energy. Its been cold and dreary. My desk is a mess and my shooting space down in the basement is a disaster area.  I haven't even really looked at pictures done by other people.

Just looking at that paragraph you can see what I've been doing. I've sabotaged myself. I've come up with all these reasons why I shouldn't or can't or won't shoot. Throw in some thing that aren't in that list.
"I'm not good enough."
"Its too much work to get a good image."
"I don't have ____ so its not worth trying."

Just excuses. And just more reasons not to shoot.

Today I got off my ass and went out shooting. Maybe 15 minutes of photographing the ducks near Prince's Island Park here in Calgary. I've probably shot between 500 and a 1000 snaps of ducks and geese since I got my first dSLR so its not like I was covering new territory here but it was something simple and uncomplicated. I put my telephoto lens on my camera and started shooting. I just took the images as they were presented to me. Nothing fancy but it felt good.

Once I am done writing this post, I am going to watch Zack's video again and remind myself that it is a privilege to be lucky enough to enjoy photography.  I will remind myself that I should, I can, and I will shoot.