Norman Rockwell was such a great illustrator, that he was practically a photographer.  His photo realistic images and sense of humor in his work have blown me away ever since I was a kid.  My mom used to hang prints of these on the kitchen wall, that she cut out of a Norman Rockwell calendar she got as a handout from the local bank.  We’ve always had beagles, growing up, so these are some of my favorites.  This stuff is just timeless.

The triple self portrait – pure genius.  For more info on Norman Rockwell, check out your local library or visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Question:

“Okay, so I am really trying to improve my stock photography because I have been uploading many images which some get accepted but very few sell because they aren’t really marketing type photos. I know you have had success with stock and was wondering if maybe we could collaborate on a stock shoot or something so I can get a better feel how you approach stock photography. I really want to be a full time photographer and having a good arsenal of stock photos helps keep the income stream going…”
-Anonymous

I feel your pain.  This is something a lot of people express when starting out.  Stock is a mindset, and it’s really tough for a lot of photographers to sometimes grasp.  I know what you’re saying – the glamor shots and general portraits that everyone loves at places like modelmayhem.com, don’t always sell that well for stock.  They’re still fun to shoot, but that is besides the point.  Try to think of themes; get ideas from magazine ads, tv commercials, any wherever else you can find inspiration.  Look around at other people’s work online for inspiration, but don’t copy.  It’s not hard to put your own spin on things.  That also, in turn, gives you an advantage by having images that are more unique, instead of the same old cookie cutter stuff.  People doing things, different expressions on their faces, you have to just think like a designer or image buyer.  Ask yourself, how would someone be able to use this?  Ask yourself, “will this image I’m shooting have sales potential?  Is this image going to tell a story?  Does the message come across clearly?  Is this the type of image that is generic enough where it can be used in a variety of ways, or is it more specific?”  It’s good to have a mixture of both types in your portfolio.  Will someone see this shot and want to buy it?  I’m not talking prints, I’m talking usefulness and commercial value.  Stock is stock, prints are prints  – two totally different worlds.

-Todd