Stock Photography FAQ

What advantages do photographers have representing themselves?

There are quite a few advantages for photographers interested in selling their own work.

• No Commissions to Pay: Photographers get to keep one-hundred percent of their earnings, less any business costs.

• Higher chance of selling images with each inquiry: A photographer who manages to attract inquiries into the availability of their photos has a higher chance of selling with each call, since they have no internal competition.

• Potential for more assignment work: Photographers can usually offer to shoot the image on assignment if they don't happen to have the requested photo on file.

• More Contact with Clients: This also allows photographers to have more personal contact with their clients. 

• Responsibility: Those photographers who choose to represent themselves can take full responsibility for their own income (Pickerell, 1992a).