If you are a photographer who has amassed a large collection of good quality images, you may want to send a portfolio submission to a stock photography agency. It is the agent's job to market your images for you, which frees up more time for you to photograph. Here are a few things to keep in mind when approaching an agent:

1. Stock agencies get hundreds of submissions every month . . . if your images are as good or better than what they already have, then send in your pics. If they are not as good as what is already available, wait another year until your collection has expanded and your images become more dynamic.
2. Only a few photographers make a decent living from stock photography sales alone. Most photographers work in other aspects of the photography business, and supplement their income by selling their extra photos.
3. If you do get signed on with an agent, it may take up to a year before you see your first sale. Your few images will be amidst a sea of millions of other marketable photographs.

Before you get too discouraged however . . .

"What types of photographs do stock photography agencies want?"
PEOPLE! With very few exceptions, the agencies want to have all types of people represented in their collection. The people can be in many different locations, or even plain white backgrounds. You don't even need to show their faces at all times, as illustrated in the above example taken in a Korean temple. All that needs to be represented is either movement, emotion, or metaphor.

If you are a nature photographer you may have a difficult time getting an agent. The market is flooded with innumerable excellent nature and location photographs. However if you plan your shoots to include people, there is a solid demand for "active outdoor" type images, as long as your models are healthy and happy looking.

Finally, it is extremely important to keep your photos and releases organized. Make sure you back-up all your images regularly, and keep a separate copy of each photo off-site. Have fun, and good luck!

Thanks to professional photographer Mark Hemmings (www.markhemmings.com) for writing this photo tip.