Happy summer, and welcome to the half-way point of 2017!
It’s the perfect time to look back at our goals, decide if they’re still what we want, and refocus.
In January, I made some vague stock photo goals for 2017:
- Build a stock portfolio on Alamy
- Get published in a few travel magazines
What I’ve done so far:
Alamy: Since January, I started a portfolio and added about 60 photos. Just last week I made my first sale there – for $56! Alamy’s different, in that you don’t make as many sales, but you make a lot more per sale than with microstock agencies. Time to keep building my portfolio.
Magazines: So far, I’ve published one story in online magazine WAVEJourney, and sent in a couple of pitches to print publications… but I haven’t hit that one very hard. Though some of my event photos made it to the front page of the local newspaper this week, which is fun.
Adding action steps and deadlines:
- Alamy: Add 100 more photos by October 1, bringing my portfolio to 160.
- Magazines: Pitch 5 new articles to print magazines by October 1.
Do you still want what you thought you wanted in January? Are you making progress? Are you being specific enough with your goals?
It helps to make your goals actions, rather than outcomes. For example…
Instead of: “Make my first $500 with stock photos this year”
Try: “Upload 200 photos to stock agencies X, Y, and Z by December 31”
Looking for motivation? Here’s an extra boost coming your way:
Each year, we make a LOT of progress in a few short months with our Breakfast Stock Club Summer Sprints.
This summer, during July, August, and September, the goal is to shoot and upload as many photos as possible to your agencies!
Anyone can participate, but Premium members will get TWO photo reviews per month… and everyone who submits to the Challenge gets a review. Just a little boost to build those portfolios for fall – historically the busiest stock photo buying season.
Summer Sprints start on July 7… I’ll send a separate note with instructions next Friday!
In the meantime, happy 4th of July!! If you’re here in the U.S., get out your camera and take some patriotic stock photos.
Travel Photography Resources
5 Dos and 2 Don’ts for Travel Photography
Take Great Photos And Get Paid More For Your Travel Articles
Turning a Photography Hobby into a Monthly Income
The Pros Of Selling Your Images As Stock Photography
16 Mobile Photography Tips And Tricks Every Photographer Should Know
