I've been working at building my presence in the stock world.

It began innocently enough - a way to familiarize myself with the process this group of photographers go thru to prepare and submit images. But as I've grown my stock collection, I've found that it has become a part of what I do as a photographer. I've added it to the repertoire, as it were.

Furthermore, I've quite enjoyed the process - editing specifically for stock, adding metadata, uploading, submitting and finally getting those images live. It is a time consuming process (as expected) and hopefully one that will bear some fruit going forward. I've been contributing to two big sites so far: Alamy and Photoshelter Collection. I have the largest set on the latter, and I've just added a link to said photos in the sidebar:



Initially, shooting stock was a very different way of thinking. I find that I'll shoot somethings differently knowing it will be directed to stock rather than the more traditional fine art world I've worked in for years. That isn't necessarily bad, and as with most things, its teaching me something new that I can use. Good things come to those who take the time to immerse themselves and learn.

Today I was reviewing the big hit search terms on one site and realized I'm in a unique position to fill one specific niche that is in high demand: dance/dancers/stretching. I've been shooting dance for the past couple of years, and I'm going to spend some time in the next week or so to do a couple of shoots (in studio) specifically targeting this area. Of course, I'll be using my daughter as a model - she's such a joy to work with - one can't ask for a better young model.

Better yet, she exudes a love of dance in her every move. Lovely.

Stay tuned.

Have a great day.