If you are an "unknown photographer," assignments are hard to come by. How do you reverse this recognition factor? It's easy to become known, if you specialize in your stock photography. Special interest magazines and book publishers will seek you out if your photography interest and collection matches what they need. Even if you don't have a publishing track record, but you have an understanding of their field of interest, you will quickly move to the head of the line.

Since the automatic controls on cameras today facilitate turning out a technically good photo, you'll find many photobuyers willing to coach you as to content as you progress in your abilities. Why is this? They know you already have insight and knowledge in their special interest area. In other words, they don't have to train you from square one.

After two or three sales to the publisher, you will find that they will send assignments your way. They know they can depend on you because you speak their language. Often, they'll choose you over an accomplished photographer who has no history of coverage in their field of interest.

When you plan your next vacation (don't use that word anymore - use "business trip"), let all the photobuyers on your Market List know your itinerary. You'll receive many assignments from photobuyers who will want to "piggyback" a mini-assignment. (From Chapter 11, Sell & ReSell Your Photos.)