@spacestock - thanks. Yes, from my research I was starting to get the feeling motion graphics does tend to sell better... and was looking at some of the talent - and some of it is very, very good... the scene design, the motion, the actual rendering, etc, etc... something I am considering getting into - but realizing there is a bit of a learning curve...

@nitkol - at least $10-$15k/month

@increasingdiffculty - lol - yes, I was noticing that too... there do seem to be a 'lot' of business shots of 'smiling people shaking hands', etc, and even that seems to be a lot (i.e., versus everyone taking a picture of a tree and uploading that)...

basically, trying to figure out what I need to know about this business to be successful at it online...

@niktol - hmm, thanks. hadn't heard that expression before.

and yes - did lose out on something that could have been very lucrative last year (not stock photo related) - mainly because of my concerns about that. (I didn't want to send in a bunch of stuff over the internet, but then it really took off). so trying to re-think that/whether my concerns are legitimate...

Mm - didn't think it was really a 'dog eat dog' - simply - because you can't really "copy" a good photo/video. (I.e., there is work involved, which, I think most people are allergic to. And even if you managed to 'copy' the lighting, props, etc - just because you copied it doesn't mean it will sell - because someone already 'beat' you to the punch, etc).

I have taken a look at a few blogs - found the backyardsilver - where I think he said he made about $3k/month. To me - that seems "low" in the stock photography/videography field - but reading some other posts some people seem to be happy to get paid about $50/month.

So I was trying to figure out - if the people making $50/month only say have 10 images uploaded, or - if it's like they having 1000's of images/videos/etc - and are just making that... i.e., how viable it is, etc...

If you know of any major success stories, I'd be interested in hearing about those...

I'd say no... the way the agencies organize the keywords I doubt makes any difference for SEO/discoverability of your images/videos...

Hi Niktol -

Thanks. Yes - but it seems the agencies are "demanding" that info just to set up an account.

I am talking to one of them right now, because I don't think it's right.

thanks for the feedback everyone, giving me quite an insight.

Another question - I've noticed when signing up - some of these sites want you do give them a drivers license, passport, etc just to sign up... is that 'right'? My concern is about identity theft, and seeing as how a lot of companies can be hacked, I'm not quite that comfortable giving that... What do you do about that?

Hi Niktol,

Thanks - what does RPD mean? & Which sites would you focus on? (Right now I am doing primarily video, although I have a bunch of photography/photographs I'd like to submit as well).

Thanks!

Thanks.

Well - yeah, it might just be me trying to sign up now - I've tried submitting both photos & videos, and always get "rejected, try again in 10 days". I've even analyzed their best sellers list so I submit something similar (so I "know" they are of "commercial value") - and those get rejected too. Not sure why.

For video - which sites do recommend signing up for? How large is your portfolio?

Thanks for the help!

Hi -

Noticed last thread here seems to be in AUGUST 2017? Is that because no one likes deposit photos?

I'm new to this - and literally have been trying to get "registered" for the last 5 months with them. You have to pass an exam - I KNOW my images/videos/etc are superior quality - but I just get a standard "Image not suitable for commercial use" (EVEN if it is a video).

I've tried phoning, e-mailing, etc - but the support is as useless as fill in your favorite adjective. It's like I am talking to a robot - it "sounds" intelligent - but - only has a limited vocabulary of what it can say. I.e., Q: "What does 'not commercial quality' mean?" A:"It means that it wasn't of commercial quality". Q: "Okay, can you clarify - specifically what I need to do to get it accepted?" "A: Simply submit an image of commercial quality"... round, circular argument. And then you have to wait TEN days before applying again.

Are they just not accepting new applications? I.e., is ever single application "auto-rejected"?
And am I actually just talking to bots (even on the phone?) They 'say' they aren't bots... but, with their replies (phone/email/live chat/etc) - I'd guess they were...

Any insight/help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks!