If you submitted stock and your images were rejected, but you felt you were not given a satisfactory explanation or the reasons were unfair, then this article is for you.

I work as an art director and photo editor for an archival library and can give you direct access to the thinking behind why we reject images and what we look for in photographer submissions.

Yes, there are the usual things that we look for and that any other article will tell you, composition, good models, good lighting, etc. etc but these are so general that they don’t really address the nitty-gritty of what makes or breaks a photo.

We see thousands of images, so for us a well-crafted photo will stand out and is ultimately what we want to see. We sell images for all price levels, from microstock to high end ready rights, so obviously we have different criteria, but aside from the market the image was intended for, there are many similarities in what will make us want to take a photo. in all fields.

travel photos – Many amateur photographers upload images that could be interpreted as a little “fast”. Take your camera on vacation as we always need good travel photos, but be careful not to get carried away. What might look good in your photo album might not be suitable for commercial sales. We can only take pictures posted by models, so be careful not to involve passersby in the shot and focus on getting some strong scenery or landmarks that sum up the location. For example, if you’re in Paris, take some iconic Parisian photos but do it in a way that doesn’t look like anything you’ve seen before. Experiment with different angles and times of the day, get up early and enjoy the beautiful sunrise sunlight shining on the Eiffel Tower. There will be fewer tourists and you will be able to enjoy the city to yourself. Another thing, I see beautiful panoramic shots of beaches and lakes, but there is something in the foreground that is away from the main image. Watch out for branches, poles, trees, etc., which can look heavy or distracting in close-up and get in the way of a great shot. Finally, remember to take notes on the location each photo was taken so you can add it as a caption when you upload your image. This information is vital if you want your image to be as sellable as possible, as travel companies often need to illustrate a particular location and this is where the information will come in handy when the customer is searching.

studio shots – It seems that many microstock photographers are more comfortable shooting against a white background. I always encourage photographers to challenge themselves and try something new. Even if it’s just a nice gray or beige background, try to mix it up. Stock libraries are saturated with blank microstock images, so try to stand out from the crowd. Shooting outdoors is always a good option, especially in summer, with good light in the early morning or early evening.

If you’re shooting still life, I can’t stress enough the importance of good, clean accessories. First of all, start with a solid concept. If you don’t know what your image is trying to say, then it won’t sell very well. Write down the concepts you want to convey and think about which customer could buy the image. If you’re not sure about the concepts, check out some images in an archive library and see what keywords they’ve used. This will give you an idea of ​​concepts and themes. Since all the focus is on the prop, it must be in top condition and the lighting must work well. Avoid strong shadows and keep angles simple. Experiment with crops, but if the best angle is right, stick with that. Try to imagine a client using your image in a magazine or as an advertisement and how would it work, is it worth leaving space for text?

If you are photographing food, I would say this is one of the most difficult subjects to photograph and would advise looking at images on food/recipe websites to get an idea of ​​the standard to which you should aim. Many food photographers use a food stylist to make food look appealing, but you may not have this luxury. Stick to using raw foods and ingredients that are generally easier to make right. If you use fruits or vegetables, make sure they are unmarked and of the highest quality. If you shoot fruit that isn’t ripe, or worse, overripe, most of the time it will be rejected. Lastly, if you add accessories like tableware or table decorations, make sure they don’t detract from the setting of the meal. Style is the key, get it right and you’ll have a winner.

Lifestyle – I believe that taking a great lifestyle photo is a specialized skill and a great achievement. Many photographers who haven’t ventured into stock may scoff, but the reality is that a good salable stock image demands not only talent but also good pre-production and planning skills. Models must be chosen carefully. If you are using friends or family as models, this can be great for certain “natural” looking images, but if you want to photograph a woman who works from home, it may be beneficial to use an experienced model who will look great up close. Look for good skin, pretty hair (no bright colors), and soft hands and nails. Models must be aspirational, they are the key to making your business image and earning money. Remember that you are selling a lifestyle with your image, make the viewer want to buy.

Business – Again, style is key here. Remember that you don’t always have to put your models in full costumes. Smart casual is also a good seller and more popular right now with buyers. The emphasis is on well-fitting outfits that are well-pressed, look up-to-date, and appropriate for the setting you’re using for your location. Working from home is a great topic to cover, but remember if you’re using your own home to make sure it’s in top shape and all unnecessary parts are sorted and replaced with carefully chosen accessories. If you’re shooting in a studio, be careful that the image doesn’t look too basic, especially if you’ve chosen a white background. Studio shots are good for conveying concepts, but they still need to be well underpinned and look as natural as possible. Keep in mind the three concepts you want to convey eg teamwork, bonding, communication and make sure each shot is relevant and clearly conveys what you are trying to convey.

I have mentioned a couple of times the importance of keywords, concepts and themes. In my next article, I’ll go into more detail and explain how you can use them effectively to give your images the best selling opportunity.

For now though, happy shooting! Remember that all photographers started somewhere and there is plenty of time to grow and develop all the skills you need to become a great photographer.