Hi all,

 Nothing super special and I am sure a lot of you already know this but for those starting out, here are a couple quick tips on shooting Lifestyle stock that have helped me.

1 - If I have a model posing I try to remember to and add some curve to the spine. Unless I am are going for a ridged look. It helps me add reality and motion as well as keeping my models more relaxed and looking more realistic.

2 - Always remember to pay attention to the hand placement almost as much as the expression. Take the time to pose them if you can, or at least watch for the hands right before you push the button. The hands help tell the story in a still image. Nothing worse that a stock photo of a man at a desk and both of his hands are under the desk

3 - A square thumbnail is the largest on your distributors page, it stands out more.. Not all images are made for this but if you do it right you can offer your buyers a vertical as well as a horizontal, think about the copy space. You don't need a square format, just crop in post if your sensor is large enough.

4 - Keep it clean. The hardest part for me is not the people in the shot, it is the environment around them and how to keep it supportive to your image and not distracting.

Hope this helps,
Jonathan

Yes those were great tips and it doesn't harm to repeat them now and then.
1 - The spine thing you find out inevitably yourself working with beginning models that stand like the pillars of wisdom feeling pretty, then look at the shots. Working with dancers and actors helps.
2 - Hands, very true.
3 - The square thumb has been brought up a couple of years ago by Yuri Arcurs as the most optimal thumb to catch attention and it's a very good reason to switch to a high MP cam with some room to crop.
4 - The clean background is often neglected and looking at your most recent pics at DT it's quite obvious. I also noticed (even before on the presentation) you almost always avoid overwhites. Some schools of thought tell us that overwhites sells better for models. Your idea?

The square idea has its drawbacks, too. Unless you are using a real square sensor ( and there is no one around yet, I think), we do not use the full potential of new full frame sensors. First, you crop for square, and then, the customer crops your square for horizontal or vertical use(which is more common than square in use).

My Pleasure Aetherial,

 Love your name. Drop me a PM if you ever want to talk shop or join me over at Twitter or Face book. I am more active there.

Best,
Jonathan

Jonathan - thanks so much for your posts.  I learn heaps and always enjoy the read.  Few photographers are as willing to share so much. 

I second Marlene.  All wonderful tips and some I would never have thought of myself.  Thanks a lot Jonathan!

Great tips, Mr. Ross.

Am really enjoying your presence and input, you are an authority on these matters and i imagine there is a large number of microstock contributors very keen to hear from you.

All the best,

pixdeluxe

here is my quick tip....

1. if on image you have smile with teeth then you have 50% more chances to sale well.

2. before shooting pay models, they will be happyer... hehhe

3. ask models to scream loud, after scream they have natural smile and than take images... don't say to medels that you will not take shot of screaming... hehe

3. shoot maximum amount of images because with people every second is differet, afcourse, take care about ligting, framing etc...

5. bring backup battery and cards...

Great stuff .Shock.

 When I am working with kids I keep an extra ten dollars in quarters or singles to bribe near the end when they are starting to lose interest. If it is okay with the parents of coarse.

Best,
Jonathan

Hi Lone Wolf,

 This is an old one. I have forgotten most of this stuff so it was great to reread thanks

Take care all,
J