What Makes Best Selling Photo?
posted on 12th of february, 2008
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The most popular concepts in the top photographs from last year are happiness/love/family and determined business teams. Don’t drop everything to focus on kisses and bunches of business types. Statistics only tell part of any story. How many images would have been in the top seller list if the photographer hadn’t uploaded a dozen nearly similar ones, thus spreading the downloads over the entire dozen? On the other hand if an image is a great stock photo, even a cropped or almost identical image can make it into the higher ranks as these two Iofoto images have.
There are reasons that these two similar images are both best sellers:
Location: The setting could be anywhere that has sandy beaches. The location is non-specific geographically and yet still shows a top vacation spot: the beach.
Seasonality: This beach shot could have been taken in spring, summer or early fall adding to the versatility of the image.
Wardrobe: The model’s clothing compliments the colors in the scene. Because there are blues, pinks, tans and yellows in the palette almost any color typeface could coordinate with the image. Shirts lack logos and the fabrics are all solid colors.
Casting: The models form the perfect, idealized family and yet they aren’t so beautiful as to look unauthentic. Their pose is relaxed and happy. (Just the way we all imagine the perfect family vacation.) Even the preteen girl appears to be pleased to be with her parents as she has her arm across her mother’s shoulder. Anyone who has attempted to take a daughter of this age on a family vacation knows that IS really an idealized image. The image depicts the vacation every family aspires to have.
Concepts: Happy and relaxed.
Composition: Dad is at the top of the pyramid and the models are posed off center to leave lots of space for type. The background is clean and simple.
Good keywording has also contributed to the success of all the images in the top tier in 2007.
Groups of models in an image appear to pump up the number of downloads. Only one of the top images is of a single person. This is the image of a close up of a beautiful smile. Notice that the model’s makeup is very subtle. Again we see simplicity in composition and the concept of happiness.
All the top sellers of ’07 are people shots with the exception of an image of a white dove on a black background. The simple bird in flight is simple in composition with no distractions in the background. A dove symbolizes peace and, again, happiness.
It’s no surprise that a third of the top shots relate to business, specifically to business groups/teams.
Photos of a group of people, whether a party scene, business teams or several children are always in demand because it’s just plain difficult to get a large number of models together. The costs are higher and the chances that someone’s eyes are closed multiplies!
A group shot of the kids looking down into the camera is a winner because of the racial diversity of the models, making the image great for textbooks.
Love and romance are themes that never go out of style. The best images in this genre seem to combine the idea of love with the idea of a positive future.
This makes sense in a world where marriage is anything but permanent. Remember images for advertising, promotion and many articles are aspirational. The photos are supposed to make the viewer buy something that will realize their dreams faster, cheaper or in greater style and comfort.
Using models in your photos can be problematic from both an organizational and financial point of view. Here’s a statement I read the other day to keep in mind to a good perspective on the money issue: Creativity begins when you have to cut a zero off your budget.
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Tags: composition location models wardrobe
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Comments (38)
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Good stuff! Thanks for taking the time to provide your insight.
- posted by
Karldavis
on December 14, 2008 |
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great article good clear explanation I look fore ward to doing some model shots.I have some but need to get releases signed. Peter
- posted by
Petroruth
on December 07, 2008 |
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Very good article. Thanks a lot ;)
- posted by
Bobbie66
on September 27, 2008 |
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After Iread this article I learned a lot. Thanks
- posted by
Sanshams
on September 08, 2008 |
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very usefull article, a lot information, specially for me - new member.
Cheers
- posted by
Tomas24
on August 31, 2008 |
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I am late, it is best articles. thanks. :)
slei
- posted by
Sleiselei
on August 05, 2008 |
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excellent!
- posted by
Milliardideas
on August 04, 2008 |
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Nice stuff! Many Thanks!
- posted by
Nmedia
on August 04, 2008 |
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After I read this article I took some pictures o a beach. I will upload them this month and I will see if this will give me some sales :) I hope so.
- posted by
Rafalolechowski
on August 01, 2008 |
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Great article, many thanks:)
- posted by
Myszka50
on July 30, 2008 |
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thanks for the tips
- posted by
Ladyminnie
on July 10, 2008 |
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Nice article , thanks.
- posted by
Vaggelis
on June 25, 2008 |
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Very informative......thanks!
- posted by
Nitengail
on May 23, 2008 |
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hmm will have to keep this in mind :) Thank you! I am barely making any money in this but trying :)
Not to worry...keep learning about this market, hone your skills and success will arrive.
- posted by
Ellenboughn
on May 20, 2008 |
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hmm will have to keep this in mind :) Thank you! I am barely making any money in this but trying :)
Nature Wallpaper
- posted by
Eugenef
on May 20, 2008 |
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Lots of pointers and great advise. Thanks
- posted by
Gofer
on May 13, 2008 |
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good article.
- posted by
Boostlee
on April 19, 2008 |
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Well captured way of creativity, I like highly the last sentence. Be open minded wherever you are :-) Thank you for advice!
- posted by
Frui
on April 19, 2008 |
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It's a great article and so helpful to me.
- posted by
Magicfanfan
on April 05, 2008 |
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Good read and points well made!
- posted by
Krystof
on April 04, 2008 |
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nice talk!thanks
- posted by
Domesy
on April 03, 2008 |
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Nice article
- posted by
IbanMontero
on April 02, 2008 |
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Tnx! It's good and I hope it will be helpful for everybody
- posted by
Gingergirl
on March 15, 2008 |
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Very good article, thanks for taking the time to post it here. This is a great site and these blogs are so informative.
- posted by
Irisangel
on March 10, 2008 |
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Thanks a lot! I learn many things in this article.
- posted by
Chinaphoto163
on March 07, 2008 |
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Great article!I've recommended it to some friends!the best selling photo is the aim we're pursueing!
- posted by
Zhuanghua
on March 01, 2008 |
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I learned a lot, thanks!
- posted by
Fallsview
on February 29, 2008 |
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Thanks for the writer.
- posted by
Lhpgmbd9999
on February 28, 2008 |
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true statements, you're right, thanks for the advice!
- posted by
Penelope82
on February 25, 2008 |
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Thanks a lot for this article, this a big helps..
- posted by
Gundam01
on February 19, 2008 |
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Comments (38) |
This article has been read 13779 times. 10 readers have found this article useful.
Photo credits: Ron Chapple, Ron Chapple, Kurhan, Christopher Ewing, Theodor38, Sean Nel, Bellemedia, Daniela Spyropoulou, Kelliem, Forca. |
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| Stock Photography that SELLS! |
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Ellen Boughn, a veteran of the stock photography industry with over 30 years
of experience gives expertise tips on successful stock.
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Ellen Boughn
(Ellenboughn)
Bainbridge Island, US
>I am a writer and my book about microstock photography will be released in 2010. I was the Director of Content at Dreamstime for two years ending in Feb, 2009. You can order from amazon via my website at www.ellenboughn.com/blog
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