MicrostockGroup

Hi all,

I'm new to the stock game.
I've registered and uploaded a few pics to quite a few agencies already.
I've been into this now for just over 2 weeks.
My portfolios are tiny, yet I've made just under 30 DLs in 2 weeks at SS (which I think is pretty good).
Fotolia have made one DL for me (that's  probably because they keep rejecting the photos that are top-sellers at SS) 

Anyway, this is not a soap-box session.

I was just wondering - I have applied twice now at iStock and they have rejected both my applications.
I used my best (top sellers) photos to apply, both times.

I get the opinion that they don't like me or something because I pressured them into processing my application with a support ticket or two.
There was a whole thing about my ID not being suitable and my names not matching (which was nonsense).
So I uploaded the same file again and then my membership was approved.
Then after uploading photos they rejected it.
Then 3 days later I uploaded again and they rejected those too.

So now I'm wondering - do you guys have any tips for me?
I really would like to get into iStock - I've heard great things about them!

Thanks a ton in advance!

Hey Chris

Imo iStock is a total pain in the butt. Their image quality requirements are very high, their approval and review processes are intense, and their submission process is slow.

Having said that...

Yes it's worth it. I have only 50 images on iStock, and they make the same income as the 1000+ images I have on another agency. Sadly the 15 images a week limit and the very high rejection rate keep me from really taking advantage of it, but if your work is good, it's a must-do

Congratulations. Just don't allow someone to fool you. There are sites which give high preference to new images combined with customers paying a fixed amount to download lots of images. So customers tend to get all the images they are allowed to if they can use them immediately or not. The true test of your talent will be with the Pay-Per-Download sites.


Yes, definitely. Go to iStock's Critique Request forum, read the "Read This First" entry on the top, figure out how to post samples of your images and get feedback from other contribtuors who made it. iStock is a bit tougher than the other microstock sites but you get as much as help as you need and can handle. And if you are open-minded and willing to learn, you will find out a lot about photography, lighting, post processing etc. that you didn't know. Enjoy the ride.

I remember that I could not post on the IS forum before my application was accepted. One can only read the forums. A friend of mine who was a fellow contributor there, posted my images there for me and I got feedback I needed.

Chris, don't' give up, IS is definitely worth it even with all the drawbacks that other people have mentioned. And it might be a good idea not to apply again until you got some good feedback on IS forum on 3 pictures. Good luck!

I was not able to post even after failed applications. Actually, even after my application was approved I wanted to thank the members on the forum for critiques, I was not able to do it until I uploaded the first picture for sale. This was back in November, I am not sure if things have changed since then.

Woops... that's new... we have talked through many new applicants in the past. I'll have to check later...

I'd propose you send a support ticket to Contributor Relations at iStock and get an explanation yourself. Usually people at HQ are pretty helpful if you ask nicely.

You can also just link to your images here for critique.

When you get accepted, read this:
http://seanlockedigitalimagery.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/youve-been-accepted/

It is not new. Please check the forums for new applications. The only way one can post without having photos online is if they buy credits so they are considered buyers.

Yeah I agree.  Patience there WILL pay off.

IS is now my number one monthly site, and my number one overall site.  Been at this 2 1/2 years now with a portfolio there of nearly 1200 images.  It will payoff.

- Chad

Why don't you link to your portfolio, so we can see what you are not selling?

sharply_done, thanks for saving me the trouble of deciding for myself whether I actually wanted to do that. 

Yeah I don't know why I fell compelled to post all these crazy opinions. Maybe it has something to do with the word "forum" being defined as "a medium (as a newspaper or online service) of open discussion or expression of idea."   Just me I guess.

I'm not selling on IS. And yes, it's my portfolio. Because while I'm having 2000+ photos almost everywhere else, I only have 38 images on IS. I just can't stand that uploading process. I know I should have done yoga and cultivate my patience...