Stock photos?

[amydidit]

I've found something I really enjoy doing, and plan to sell on Etsy. But before I can I need to find some stock photos I can buy to put on my samples (to show on etsy. nothing would be sold WITH those pictures). I was looking online, but I MUST be looking in the wrong place. Or asking for the wrong things. At once site it was saying it would cost $600 for ONE photo for me to use on samples on the internet.

Does that sound right???

[Dylie Love]

elaborate please?

Ok, sorry, sleep deprived. Can you explain that a little more please? I am a photographer so either I can help you with images I have already taken or take images of your stuff. I love to trade!! I always give a copyright release anyway. What do you make? Is it sleep perhaps??

[amydidit]

I'm wanting to start selling customized announcements, invitations, etc. I know there are a lot of sellers who do it, but it's something I'm good at. The problem is I don't have enough high quality baby/kid pictures to use on the examples I have. I don't mind using my own kids, but I'm not a good enough photographer. And well, if the pictures suck then the whole thing looks sucky. KWIM?

So I started looking for *stock photos*. But to get the rights to use a photo in a commercial area is SO expensive. At least what I've found.

An example of what I'm going to make. (I'm still perfecting them.)
That one was made with fictional info, and my DD2's birth announcement photo. If someone wanted to buy it they would send me their info and photos. So no ACTUAL product would be made with the example photos.

Did that help?

[duckmom]

no advice, but you're right, you ARE good at it!!! nice work, mama!

[amydidit]

Thanks. I started doing it because I'm super picky and wanted to make my own announcements, especially with out expensive it can be to buy them already made. I made my own wedding invitations and things like that years ago, so I have some experience. But I know I'm not yet at a professional level. Still, now that I know there is a market I really want to try my hand in that arena.

[Ame]

you should be able to get royalty free stock photos for $1-$10 each at any of the following:

http://www.istockphoto.com
http://dreamstime.com
http://fotolia.com/
http://bigstockphoto.com

[amydidit]

Thanks! I'll check those out!

[garden-gal]

You could also try contacting users at Flickr (through their profiles - many have emails listed). I'm sure you could probably work out an arrangement. Try this search on Flickr.

[amydidit]

Wow! I'd never thought of that! Thanks for that idea.

[garden-gal]

You're quite welcome. Wishing you the best!!

[Dylie Love]

Got kids!

Oh goodness. Yeah, I have pics of babies! I actually sell custom birth announcements too. Yours are cute! I do more of a collage thing with mine. Ok, check out my website and let me know what you need... if you still need it.
www.beyond-images.com (will they let me do that??) Im not selling so maybe it will be fine...

[Doula Dani]

PM'd you!

[eepster]

When I designed wedding invitations at a fancy stationers in NYC, we simply asked permission to use actual invitation, anoucements, etc, that we had designed for people as samples. People only occasionally said "no."

[amydidit]

Just wanted to let everyone know I'm not ignoring you! I've had a VERY long and tiring weekend. As soon as I'm feeling better (a day or two only I'm hoping) I'll be back.