How to Sell Stock Photography as a Digital Nomad

How to Sell Stock Photography as a Digital Nomad

by | Feb 16, 2023 | Life for Digital Nomads

Selling stock photography can be a great source of income for digital nomads. It will take time to build up a steady income or side income. Here are the details to get you started as a female digital nomad with stock photography full or part-time hustle.

How to Earn Money as a Stock Photo Contributor

There is an ongoing discussion among photographers about whether you should shoot what you like and clients will come to you or if you should shoot specifically what clients want. Regardless if you’re shooting for passion or for patrons, there are four important things you need to earn as a stock photo contributor.

1. Your Gear

There was also an impression that only professional photographers could upload stock images. There was a time when it was a requirement for every photographer to have a DSLR camera to be a photographer. Today you can take photos just using your high-end mobile phone! Keep in mind though that there are several professional photographers in the market and your shots have to be able to keep up with them.

2. Highest Resolution

Whether you’re using a DSLR camera or a mobile phone, your photos should be at the highest possible resolution. It’s up to the users to downsize the quality of the photos for their use.

3. On Photo Editing

When it comes to post-processing, it’s best to keep it to a minimum. Adjusting the noise and sharpness can be necessary however, take it easy on cropping and saturation. Clients want a clean, well-lit, and full-color image. Let them crop the images however they need to use them.

4. Use Keywords

Finally, your client should be able to find your image in stock image platforms. Using the right keywords for your images will get them to the top of search bars. 

You can use conceptual tags to describe the character, emotion, or activity in your photo. Plus, do not spam the keywords.

Where to Sell Your Photos

All agencies have their pros and cons. No platform is perfect so it’s up to you to choose which ones you find best to use.

1. Freepik

Freepik has a database of over 5 million photos, illustrations, vector images, and PSD files. It has over 2 million daily downloads worldwide and over 50 million visitors per month. If you’re looking for a market for your stock photos as a beginner photographer, Freepik is a great start. They also provide you with tools to help you stay up to date with the trends and monetize your art.

2. Alamy

Alamy is the most diverse photo website with over 60 million images. You can upload your images of any niche from everyday photos to specific target markets. Also, they pay their contributors the highest amount, up to 50% of the sale.

3. Adobe Stock

If you’re using Lightroom or Photoshop to edit your photos, you probably also have Adobe Creative Cloud. And if you have Adobe Creative Cloud, you can use Adobo Stock as it’s integrated together. 

Adobe Stock is used by creatives and designers to sell their photos for 33% of royalties per sale.

4. Shutterstock

Shutterstock is probably one of the most famous stock image agencies. They have paid out over a billion dollars to its contributors over the last 15 years. Since their market is already big and spread out, it might not be easy to earn a lot of money here. However, it’s a good place to start learning about stock photography and how you can earn.

5. iStock and Getty Images

iStock is a well-known agency for stock photographers. Their pay ranges from 15% to 45% and is a great place to start for newbie photographers. You need to apply and submit quality images to get accepted but once you’re through you can earn a considerable fair amount.

Other agencies for stock photography are YayImages, ElephantStock, Pixabay, Etsy, and Stocksy.

Licensing Types

Royalty-Free vs. Rights-Managed Images

Most stock photos are royalty-free images, meaning users can download and use the photos at a low price. Since users don’t have exclusivity to the photos, you might see the same photos on several websites, platforms, and media.

On the other hand, rights-managed images are usually purchased by corporations or commercial clients who want exclusive use of the photos.

Standard License vs. Extended License

Standard license allows users to use the images however they want except for political campaigns, ads for tobacco or alcohol, pornography, or on products for sale. An extended license allows clients to use the images for almost any purpose.

Editorial vs. Commercial Use

A lot of people in the photography industry get these two confused. Just because images appear in magazines, newspapers, books, and blogs, doesn’t mean they’re used commercially. They count as editorial images.

Commercial images, meanwhile, are used to generate profit or sales like advertisements. As a photographer, this means they’ll have to sign an agreement with you that they can use it for sales and it means more profit for you!

Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive Stock Photos

You can choose to upload all your images to one stock photo agency. If you sign an exclusive contract, you can get more percentage from the sales.

If you upload your photo to multiple stock photo platforms, you earn a little less but you have higher chances of selling your photo.

Passive Income Source

The payout for stock images cannot compete with your day job. But as a digital nomad, you have the opportunity to capture thousands of different scenes from all over the world. This gives you an advantage over other photographers. And even if you’re not doing photography as a living, it’s still a good side hustle.

@kayphilnomads

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What is a Digital Nomad: Everything You Need to Know

What is a Digital Nomad: Everything You Need to Know

by | Jan 13, 2023 | Become a Digital Nomad

Have you ever seen pictures of people who seem to be on vacation ALL THE TIME? How can they be practicing yoga in Bali when a few months ago they were hiking on the Inca Trail in Peru?

Do you ever wonder how they can afford it and what they do for a living?

Chances are, they’re digital nomads.

What is a Digital Nomad?

Digital nomads are remote workers, either full-time or part-time, constantly traveling all around the world. They live an exciting lifestyle, always discovering new places, meeting new people, and discovering various cultures from the inside out.

Some nomads travel their home countries; visiting local regions and getting to know their homeland. Other nomads travel the world; immersing themselves in different cultures and filling their passports with stamps. 

Most nomads stay in hostels, co-living spaces, and Airbnbs. They rent apartments, rooms, or bed spaces to stay in while they work and travel simultaneously. On the other hand, there are some self-sustaining nomads who live and travel in campervans and buses. 

What most digital nomads have in common is they rely on wireless devices like laptops, phones, and pocket WiFis to do their work wherever they are.

Online Careers and the Nomad Lifestyle

Even before 2020, digital nomads are already working remotely while traveling routinely. According to a study conducted by MBO, in 2019, there are already 7.3 million American digital nomads. This number increased to 10.9 million in 2020. Today, there are over 35 million digital nomads around the world.

Digital nomads have three kinds of work: freelancers, remote workers, and entrepreneurs. In fact, according to A Brother Abroad, only 17% of nomads are employed by companies and 28% are freelance workers. The majority of nomads, around 55%, have their own businesses.

Most employed and freelance nomads work in marketing, IT, design, writing, and eCommerce. These professions have been flexible for years, even decades, allowing remote workers to be location independent.

However, since the pandemic, more companies are now switching to remote work, for good. According to Owl Labs, 16% of companies in the world are now operating 100% remotely. Since this switch, the digital nomad lifestyle is now possible for all types of professions. A lot of digital nomads did not have to switch careers to make their dream lifestyle come true. They simply convinced their companies to let them work remotely.

Closing the Gender Gap

Did you know that the digital nomad lifestyle is closing the gender gap in income and career?

That’s right!

According to Remote.Co., around 30% of fully remote businesses have women CEOs, founders, or directors. This is compared to 5.2% of women CEOs in traditional workspaces.

Why do remote companies hire women and let them lead? There are several factors to this however, most studies point to flexibility. So, remote work is actually more supportive of women’s careers progressing.

“Working-from-Home” Away from Home

Where do they stay? How do they work?

The short answer: “home is where the WiFi is.”

Digital nomads need only one thing to sustain their lifestyle: an internet connection. So no matter how good the food or adventures are, nomads always choose a place where there’s a WiFi connection.

Since most hostels and Airbnbs now have WiFi, 23% of digital nomads prefer working in their accommodations. This will help them save on costs for coffee shops or co-working spaces. However, 20% of nomads still prefer working outside in coffee shops and public libraries.

Since loneliness is one of the problems nomads struggle with, 21% of nomads prefer to work in co-working spaces. This gives them the social interactions they need and helps them grow their business network. Co-working spaces generally have a fast and stable internet connection, sometimes fiber optic.

Pros and Cons of the Digital Nomad Lifestyle

The digital nomad lifestyle is exciting and dream-like. Most nomads describe it as the best years of their life. However, the lifestyle comes with some pros and cons.

The Highlights

1. Freedom and adventure. Most nomads stay in a new place for 3 to 6 months before moving to a new place. Other nomads stay for more than a year. Since there are no rules, digital nomads can do whatever they want, whenever they want. They can go on whatever adventure they feel like going on and go to whatever country they want.

2. You’re your own boss. You’re free from the 9-5 timetable and office politics so you’re only responsible for yourself. You set your own schedule; how often you work and how long your vacation will be.

3. Your dollar goes a long way in low-cost-of-living areas. So your month’s worth of rent in the US can stretch for three to six months in other countries. In fact, you can actually save more money as a digital nomad than when you’re staying at your home base.

The Challenges

1. Loneliness. This is the problem 51% of digital nomads battle with. You say goodbye as often as you say hello and you can miss your friends and family back home.

2. Your productivity can suffer from constantly moving. You need to manage your time well, avoid distractions, and learn to adjust to new locations.

3. Visas shouldn’t be an issue, so make it a habit to always check the requirements before going to another country.

Despite the pros and cons, many nomads do not want to go back to the conventional lifestyle. This is because once they’ve tasted adventure and freedom, they don’t want to give them up.

Are you ready to switch to the lifestyle? Enroll in our Master Course now.

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7 Things Digital Nomads Should Consider Before Booking Accommodations

7 Things Digital Nomads Should Consider Before Booking Accommodations

by | Jan 6, 2023 | Housing for Digital Nomads

For digital nomads, the most important consideration before moving to a new place is accommodations. Should you stay in a hostel, book a hotel, or share an apartment? 

Regardless of your preference, everyone says the key to finding the best place to stay is research, research, and research. Not only will it help you balance travel and work better, but will also set realistic expectations about the place. Less frustration, more productivity, and more fun! 

Almost everything can be found on the internet if you know what to look for. But what exactly should you look for?

1. Location & Seasons

Are you able to work with the sound of honking cars or do you need to be close to nature? Do you need to prepare mosquito patches?

Some prefer to live in the city center while others like to be close to nature. Regardless of your preference, safety and security must always be your top priority especially when you’re traveling alone.

Avoid areas with high crime rates, civil unrest, and political instability. If you’re going during monsoon season, check if the area is flood-prone. You don’t want your adventure to be THAT kind of memorable. 

2. Accessibility

Is it near bus stations? Are there tech stores nearby in case your laptop won’t open? In case of emergency, is there a hospital or clinic you can go to?

The establishments nearby will make your stay more comfortable and less costly. A cafe or co-working space within walking distance will help boost your productivity. Grocery stores and public markets should be accessible via public transportation or taxi. And the main attractions shouldn’t take hours to get to. 

Google Maps can be helpful in checking the establishments nearby. Don’t hesitate to ask the landlords or hostel owners. Look for banks and ATMs, bakeries, gyms, nearby bars or restaurants, health clinics, supermarkets, and food stalls.

3. Transportation and Walkability

Public transportations usually pass by the main attractions and important landmarks so they should be convenient and accessible. Look up how the locals get to places. Trains? Buses? Toktok? Or jeepneys?

The walkability of the places you need to get to should not be overlooked. Not only will you save transportation costs but it will also help you get to know the place better. Who knows? Your favorite local restaurant might be just around the corner. Plus, you also get to reach those 10k steps!

4. Connectivity

There’s a reason for the saying “Internet is a digital nomad’s bread and butter”. It should be the least of your worries.

Most accommodations feature an internet connection on their websites. But if you’re going to work from home, you might share the broadband with several other people. So make sure you ask about the download and upload speed, data limit, and power interruptions. 

You don’t want slow uploads, or worse, lagging conference calls.

5. Amenities

Now, more amenities usually mean pricier accommodations so you need to know what you really need. 

While co-working spaces are popular among digital nomads, it’s not really necessary. You can set up a “workstation” in your place if you prefer working from home. Make sure your place has an office chair and a desk for you to work on. Lighting is also important so make sure you have optimal lights if not windows for natural light. 

Solo travelers often think that a small space is enough but working and sleeping in the same space is not ideal. Your productivity may decline sooner rather than later in a small space. So be generous enough when booking a place.

Other amenities you can ask about are water pressure, coffee and/or tea makers, and a smoking area (if you’re not a smoker you don’t want a room close to this one).

6. Kitchen

Food is one of the best ways to experience the culture of the place. However, eating out is not sustainable for long-term stays. Even coffee is expensive if you’re going to grab it from a cafe every day.

The best way to minimize food costs is to cook your own food. So a kitchen is a must-have especially if you have dietary restrictions.

Ask what equipment they have in the kitchen aside from pots, pans, and knives. Also, are there storage spaces and refrigerators for your ingredients? What are the clean-up protocols?

This might be your biggest adventure: source local ingredients, discover recipes, and find your next favorite flavor!

7. Community

Loneliness is often what digital nomads battle when traveling alone. So the role that a community plays in your stay is crucial. It is what makes the new place feel like home. 

Most conversations happen in common areas, not just bars and parties. Ask around and look for common areas like co-working spaces, dining areas, and reading rooms. Even a common kitchen is a good place! The internet may be a great place to find where to go or what to try next but there’s nothing more reliable than personal accounts. 

Start conversations and foster connections. Your fellow digital nomads may have tips and tricks for what’s bugging you lately. Ask the locals what they do and where they go for fun.

Share Your Stories!

Everyone has a story to tell, reviews to share, and recommendations to take note of–including you! Share your experience online, on booking sites, Facebook groups, Reddit subpages. Make the world bigger and a less scary place for fellow digital nomads.

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