I sell microstock

Here is a question that I get a lot from family, friends, and even strangers "so what is this microstock photography you do?".

The short of it is that I sell images through online agencies to groups for advertising or illustration etc. In order for an image to sell, it needs to have a story. Here are few recent photos where my son has been my model for stock photos:







Do the images have a story? Does the image immediately conjure thoughts (besides how cute my son is) of something more than the people in them?

If they do then I think it will be successful as a stock image. Someone can use it to tell a story or to sell you something...

And I get some dang cute photos of my son at the same time...

Nathan’s hot’n tasty BBQ

It’s true; Nathan is famous for his tasty barbecue skillz. People come from miles around just to taste the smoked delicacies off his hot grill. Kidz go CRAZY for the taste and adults can’t resist. A real palate pleaser Nathan’s is the place people go for a full and happy belly.

After his Grandfather started a famous hot dog stand in Coney Island New York; on an urge Nathan moved to Utah bringing with him his vast knowledge and skill set in dealing with animal proteins. Ask Clayton his son about the great tasting meat that come off the grill and you get an enthusiastic nod (he’s speechless). Clayton particularly likes the hot Ball Park Franks his dad grills with tender care (Disclaimer: due to high fuel prices Nathan’s hot dogs stay in New York, but Ball Parks are universally available for a great price; hey you make sacrifices where you have to).

Just look at the wild excitement as these kids get a taste for Nathan’s BBQ ribs.



We asked Nathan how he does it ”It is important to buy good meat but if you know how to BBQ things right you can make meat from an old dead dog taste like it is grade AAA prime beef! More than that I can’t tell you, the military has placed a restriction on my sharing that sort of information” Upon probing deeper about the dog meat, Nathan replied ”The name hotdog is not an accident, more than that I cannot say”.

BBQ so delicious they can’t put the meat down to say hello.


Mom's approve and everyone, and we mean everyone leaves happy from Nathan’s BBQ palace!



So if you are ever in the neighborhood, stop by for some tasty home grilled delicacies that will make you stop and wonder…

Disclaimer: Young children can choke on meat, and should not eat food in general as all food is considered a choking hazard. It is recommended that children under the age of ten are fed intravenously by the food patrol, watching people of America.

Creativity boost (It is not about your camera)

For a little while I felt like I was falling into a rut with my photography. I was a bit frustrated with some of the results I was getting and felt like my equipment was holding me back. Well equipment is a small part of the problem, but the big problem was me. I was thinking inside the box. I wasn't thinking how to use what I have but to get the look I wanted but was thinking about what I thought I needed to achieve the look I wanted (was that a mouth full or what?)......

My whole mental state I had was one that impeded me from using the one free gift that everyone has in their arsenal, whether it be the pro with the wizbang fancy equipment, or the modest simple "point and shoot" carried by the novice but enthusiastic photographer. Lately I have been trying to focus on taking new shots, experimenting and really stretching myself. I am trying to focus on things that will make me grow as a photographer, not as a gear head.



Ok, I know that the model in these photos is not the chiseled hunk you are used to but I wanted to try some new concepts. I wanted to have some photos in my portfolio for future use as stock photography. I wanted images that tell a story....



The thing is that my equipment is not really the limiting factor (though it does make things a little harder) but my imagination is. There is always a way to get an interesting photo from any situation if you just think things through a little harder. That thinking makes you that much better in the long run. The great photographers can make great photos with a pin hole in a box and a roll of film. They now how to maximize what is available.

Part of it all has been searching for inspiration. Trying a new look or technique...





Part of it has been trying to figure out how to tell that story...





The last two photos were fun. We are holding Xbox controllers but we really were watching Thomas the tank engine. Yup I have those shows memorized.

So is there a moral to the story? It is all in the name of the post and that is... It is not about the camera but how you use it! Now if I could just find more time to do shoot the list of ideas that I have come up with.... Oh ya and I need a willing model!