Successful Stock Photos

It’s well known in the business of stock photography, that photographs of news worthy subjects sell and sometimes very well. It’s important for outdoor photographers to create images the markets will want.

Paparazzi’s for example, have been known to make a fortune capturing images of celebrities in ‘news making’ situations. With some foresight and good ideas, so can nature photographers.

Many Outdoor photographers shoot a variety of subjects that have to do with the outdoors, nature, and how humans interact with the outdoors, but often they lack that news making ingredient. Many of those images often languish waiting for a buyer, if there ever is one. There is already a huge glut in superb imagery of most outdoor subjects.

Taking note of what’s in the news related to anything outdoors such as nature, the environment, and even the politics surrounding all of it, can be quite profitable. So if you are wondering what to shoot here is one idea that I believe would do well in todays markets: Global Warming and I am going to show one image I created in just a moment.

There is really nothing new here when shooting stock photos of concepts. It’s just the times have changed some. My stock agents suggested 25 years ago that we shoot ‘pollution’ and ‘green’ and the ‘environment’ so as I ventured across the lower 48 in my pickup camper for two years where I photographed the parks and scenery, I also captured the smokestacks, river pollution, livestock feed lots, and anything I could put in front of the camera that said ‘pollution’ and ‘environment.’

Charlie Borland has been a professional photographer for over to 30 years. Based in Oregon, he shoots both locally and nationally for a wide range of corporate, advertising, and editorial clients. He has won numerous awards for his photography and for 7 years in a row he received recognition and awards for annual reports he has photographed.

Charlie has also been actively involved in shooting and selling stock photography throughout his career and operated a stock photo agency for 8 years before merging with Definitive/FPG and later Getty Images.

His stock, nature, and adventure imagery has been used thousands of times worldwide, including over 1000 calendar credits: National Geographic Adventure and Traveler, Outside, Women’s Sport and Fitness, Newsweek, TV Guide, CIO, Sports Illustrated for Women, Time, Backpacker, Sunset, American Photo, Outdoor Photographer, Eco Traveler, Southern Bell, and many more. Charlie shares his knowledge through various editorial articles in Outdoor Photographer, Pro Nature Photographer, Currents Magazine, Digital Photography School, and more. He teaches workshops and classes where he is an enthusiastic instructor and leader whose passion and experience for outdoor and stock photography leave many inspired and highly motivated.

-Charlie Borland

Charlie Teaches:

How to be a Professional Outdoor & Nature Photographer

Wireless Flash Techniques for Outdoor & Nature Photographers

The Ultimate Guide to Landscape & Nature Photography

Mastering Photography for Architecture & Real Estate

Commercial Photography

“I just wanted to thank you for another wonderful class. I have to confess that each week when I read the new assignment, my first reaction was mild panic and a deep certainty that I would not be able to produce anything worthwhile that fit within the parameters you had set. But before I knew it, the ideas started to flow, and I quickly became obsessed (no, that isn’t too strong a word!) with exploring the possibilities. I can honestly say that the photos I produced in response to your assignments are among my favorites. Thanks for bringing out a creative side I didn’t know I had!”

Barbara Geiger
Understanding Color

“Thank you so very much for this course! It’s allowed me to take the blinders off and present my images for what I want them to be without being a slave to the “reality” of the camera. I would also add that in conjunction with your printing course, this has been the most useful course I’ve ever taken. Your notes are more than comprehensive and your comments and critiques are direct, clear, and always directed to the improvement of the art.”

Bill
After the click

” I want to thank you for this class and for your patience and availability to answer all of my questions. I have learned very much through this class. I have used LR in the past, but mostly for editing images. I now have a better grasp in the organization of my images, an even better understanding of editing images, and an understanding of the value of presets. I still have a lot to learn, but this has put me on the road to be able to improve my photography. Again, thank you! ”

Dale Yates
Lightroom Quickstart

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