How Jamaicans make US$100 monthly from Stock Photography

Making money from photographs is a great way to make money as a student.

In my previous blog article entitled “How Jamaicans can make money from Stock Photography – Moneymaking from taking photos of the everyday Mundane”, I explained how to make money from stock Photography using their Digital Camera or smartphone.

Despite its lowly position in society, photography is still a means by which many Jamaicans make money, with the photographers of St William Grant Park being a prime example of this continued tradition as explained in my MICO Wars blog article “How the Photographers of St William Grant Park are beating smartphone Selfies”.

It's even possible to make money using images captured using your smartphone as explained in my MICO Wars blog article entitled “How to make money taking photographs using Apple iPhone or Google Android smartphone”.

So where does one go to make money from photography online?

How Jamaicans make money from Stock Photography – Student and Amateur Photographers welcome

Over time, the long list of websites has whittled down with many of them having been shut down or being purchased by bigger companies.

Some have proven less that profitable for amateur photographers to make money from their high quality images. Here's the list of the best stock photography websites online:

1.      123RF

2.      Alamy

3.      Can Stock Photo

4.      Crestocks

5.      Dreamstime

6.      Flickr Collection

7.      Fotolia

8.      iStockphoto.com

9.      PhotoShelter

10.  Shutterstock

11.  SmugMug

12.  Stockxpert

All are free to join and pay you for submitted photographs via Paypal, bank transfer or cheque as explained in my MICO Wars blog article entitled “How Jamaicans can make money online – Setting up a Paypal Account”.

Usually you have to hit a threshold of US$100 before you can collect, but if you a snap-happy photographer with a high resolution camera or a smartphone with a lens attachment, you can easily make bank.

More stock photography websites have certain quality standards that you have to meet as you'll meet your fair share of failure.

Once you have a camera that can take high resolution images over at least 12 Megapixels, you can make money from stock photography. It’s also good as an amateur or student photographer to reinvest in better equiptment as you improve on your craft as argued in my Geezam blog article entitled “How to take High Quality Photographs with the Samsung Galaxy S6”!

Stock photography for amateurs and Students - Support yourself at College from your hobby

In fact, the simpler the photograph, the easier it will be for you to get them accepted on a stock photography website and get repeat sales e.g. images of thumb tacks, Pebbles or cute animals.

Once you've gotten some of your images on their website, promoting them online i.e. Facebook, Twitter and on your personal website or Blog as well as via traditional media is a must. Failed submissions are a stepping stone to know what the market wants in terms of quality photographs.

Taking advantage of the rich cultural history of Jamaica may lead to go on photo expeditions to capture unique pictures of life in Jamaica as well as simple scenery that will be worthy of the stock photography websites.

Make sure that you don't re-submit the same photographs, but make sure your photos are unique as possible. Joining photography Campus Photography clubs forums, Facebook and WhatsApp Groups is a great way for amateur photographer to gain an understanding from more experienced photographers.

More importantly of all, amateur photography is a great way to capture the fun little moments in your life and make money to support yourself at College from your hobby!