Crestock at PhotoPlus Expo - THE place for photos

This year I was asked to participate in a panel called, Who is Making Money in Stock Today, organized by Lee Torrens of Microstock Diaries. Photographer Jonathan Ross and stock agency partner, Sarah Fix were also on the panel. I was pleased to present a selection of Crestock photos to the 70 plus members of the photo community as part of the visual presentation that ran continuously in the last half hour of the preso. The response to the Crestock photos was excellent and stood up to the best of work from top macro photographers.

Here are a few images from my larger selection with my comments on why I think they are key images.

107647 © nightowlza/Crestock

The zebra photo by nightowlza was the hit of the show among all the images...imagine how this looked projected on a screen that was probably 15 x 15 feet square! The photographer suggests that it would be good for dental projects. Maybe but what it 'says' to me is, "Shout it out!" With lots of room for type since the animal is isolated against white, almost any message could be attached to the photo. Several people told me afterward and the next day how much they loved "the zebra". It was memorable and that means people are more likely to remember it when they go looking for photos for projects.

I selected a few shots that reflected an autumn theme or palette. (Halloween was the weekend of the Expo and I wanted to emphasize the importance of seasonal images in stock photography). Seasonal shots are easiest when shot around the date. Try finding a Christmas tree as a prop in May. Or getting the appearance of frost on leaves in mid-summer.

3025225 © Sandralise/Crestock

You should upload some seasonal images way in advance of the season but hold some back for the month or so before the date. That way you'll have images ready for those who have long publication dates and need illustrations and photos with long deadlines. With the second batch (DIFFERENT PHOTOS!), you'll be ready for those who want the most recently uploaded images near the holiday itself.

2395121 © diego_cervo/Crestock

When shooting models, think about the colors in the image...you can extend the usability of an image by having your model change clothes to reflect different seasons. The warm colors of orange, red and deep yellow gold are often associated with autumn. Alternatively pastel colors in clothing tend to be in demand in the summer. The girl with the big sunglasses is dressed for summer but the palette fits with early fall. The upside down child could have also been photographed in summer clothes to make the session more profitable.

I took a break from my series "REJECTION" this week for the word from PPE. Next week we'll be back at saving photos from the brink...of rejection!

Ellen has over thirty years of experience in the stock business gained at such organizations as Dreamstime, UpperCut Images, Workbookstock, Corbis, Getty (Stone), The Image Bank (Artville) and the creative agency, After-Image, she started in Los Angeles at the beginning of her career. Having been directly involved in the creation of four major stock photography collections, Ellen offers her decades of experience to assist photographers seeking success in stock photography.

@ellenboughn ellenboughn www.ellenboughn.com/blog