What does Microstock mean?
While you are probably familiar with Stock Photography, it's possible that you have never heard the term “Microstock.” For many, the term “microstock” refers to the low cost of purchasing the images. With all that is available to everyone on the internet now, microstock is becoming the norm as far as licensing stock photography.
Micro… what?
While microstock is a fairly new term, the entire industry that encompasses microstock is also new. To many, microstock not only means low-cost, but it also means all-inclusive, in that all sorts of photographers can submit their images for use instead of such exclusivity as most sites had before.
Though microstock makes the industry more available to aspiring photographers, there is also a cap as far as what images will be excepted per subject. It is important to do research prior to submitting images to these sites to make sure that they have a need for the images you are about to provide. For the consumer, microstock agencies should be able to provide many options for your image needs because they are more open to all image providers.
Microstock Agencies and Prices
Some companies that are considered major microstock agencies include Shutterstock, Dreamstime, Fotolia, YAYmicro, Cutcaster, Crestock, iStockphoto, 123rf, and Depositphotos (Check out our Microstock Agency Comparison here!). Overall, microstock images sell for between $1 and $5, which makes the images available to anyone, regardless of the need. By making the images affordable, anyone from graphic designers to church volunteers can access these photos and use them as they deem appropriate.
Fortunately, the times and technology have allowed for these impressive images to be readily available to literally anyone who may need them. Mircostock images provide a revolutionary way to convey a message to the client's potential customers through stock photography – at a fraction of the cost that they used to be. Stock photography has turned a big corner for those who have relied on it as their means of advertising and connection with customers.
