Success Story:
Donna Coleman
Microstock Photographer
Interview by Jennie Van Meter
Donna Coleman (see her portfolio) is a typical microstock photographer. A married mom of three children with a background in sales, she started photographing for stock in 2007.
Despite following a parent-approved, “safe” career path in business, Donna had been drawn to photography since high school and continued to use her camera, building her skills and her portfolio in the years leading up to her foray into stock photography.
Now, she’s pursuing the passion for photography she had in her youth, and making money from her work by selling stock photos online.
About Donna
Donna started with iStockphoto in 2007 and has doubled or tripled her profits each year from her first year’s result of less than $1,000. She’s also developed an assignment photography business on the side from word-of-mouth referrals. She’s found a following in her community for photographing corporate headshots for local business people.
For someone who still considers herself an amateur, Donna has created a professional photography business that’s growing each year. If she can do it, so can you. Here’s what we discovered by talking to Donna.
Part I:
Stock Photography
You are exclusive with iStockphoto. What does that mean and what’s the advantage?
For me, the main advantage to being exclusive is that the inspection time for your submitted photos is usually 1–3 days (vs. 1–2 weeks for non-exclusive contributors). I’m too impatient to wait for weeks! Other great features are that I can upload more photos per week: up to 75 (vs. 15 for non-exclusive members).
Some of my photos have been chosen by the iStock team to be offered in the Veer collection, which is a premier collection offered by corporate parent Getty Images.
