Selling old family photos
Old Photos are Hot!
As evidence, I refer you to the great Website highlighted in the previous post. Many of us have great family photos from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, that could sell quickly at online Websites. Typically, family photos from previous decades are under-represented.
Part of the reason is that it’s hard to get model releases from so long ago. You can, however, get a release from the executor of the estate (typically the parent’s child(ren), if a photo subject is deceased. If, however, there is a person in the photograph that you don’t know, then it’s impossible to get a release, and companies like IStock won’t accept the photo.
Also, you still have to look for logos and signs that are visible in the photo. One great thing about the 1950’s is that companies had not discovered that they could plaster their logo on clothes and still sell them, so many times, it’s not a problem.
The third issue is quality. If you have a slide, then you must have the capability to turn that slide into a high-res image. There are many photo services that can do that for you. Also, I am assuming that the photo is in focus and has proper exposure, etc.
In some ways, it’s more work and expense to get an old photo accepted at a photo site, but they are worth it since a good image that depicts a bygone era will sell online at a brisk pace.
Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins (1964, dir. Robert Stevenson) (via drmacro)
“It’s that woman, Mary Poppins. From the moment she stepped into this house, things began to happen to me!”
An image of a typical main street in small town U.S.A. It’s difficult to get a good shot in stock photography because you can’t show store names or other location indicators. Think of all the brand messages that are plastered on all retail stores. With all those restrictions, however, if you can get a good shot of “main street”, it will sell. Photo from IStockphoto.
Copyright owned by photographer.
This photo is by David Lewis and it is on IStock photo. The flag is outside a car dealership near David’s home and it’s become one of his top sellers. David is dlewis33 on IStock.
Sometimes the simplest photos sell the most. This photo is on a bus stop near my job.
This is the IStock free photo of the week. The photographer is Igor Balasanov of Russia. He uses the model extensively in his work.
Highlighting Online Photography
Highlighting successful photographers who sell stock online.
