Responsibilities of a Microstock photographer
Get your just desserts for all the hard work you do taking pictures, editing them, packaging and marketing them online. Here is a short order version of the task list for Micro stock photography and success in the low cost legal image milieu.
1. Storage
 Long term photography hobbies require one universal resource: memory storage. Photo files and assorted albums take up a lot of room, even on systems claiming broad memory file  allocations and large image and video file handling capacity. Ideally the scenario is that your computer could get stolen and no images worth stealing will be on it, and they will be available online for you somewhere else securely.
By now everyone knows that their computer works better with less resident memory taken up with file directories and can scan and troubleshoot, shut down and start up with less time with a streamlined file tree. Archiving and deleting heavy files can speed up computer editing and system processes.
2. Security
Make sure system passwords and network and desktop security are updated. This means dependable antivirus and internet spam blocking software that can damage your computer or render it vulnerable to harm. Defend your time and effort investment in your images.
This is nowhere more valid and true than for those micro stock photographers who do not archive regularly. One malicious hack could cut your favorite photo editor to ribbons. Unless you have time to kill sourcing and re-installing programs make sure your registry is secure and your computer system has backup disks ready to go.Â
3. Copyright
Creating images from existing figures, structures, brands, logos and other media demands a more sensitive and informed idea about how copyright laws in images are treated by courts. The practices of how these laws are enforced and what agencies govern these practices is something anyone working in Internet media or photojournalism should know.Â
4. Intellectual Property /Image Usage
Your images are your hard work. You worked for the resources to produce them and publicise them. Know the usage rights for every site you upload an image to before you click “browse”. Many sites like Facebook claim copyright to any image uploaded into public gallery areas or shared albums. Make sure you are only sharing to the web when you mean to do so.
Pirated images from web hosting accounts should be moved. Shuffle directories without absolute links to make sure cobwebs or stolen image links are not unwittingly “hosted”. Review your traffic and make sure no standalone images with no implanted links are being visited internationally from other sites. use search software to find copies and use contacts with the web host to secure repayment, fines, or image deletion.
5. Finances
Make sure all your payment sources have updated address and tax information to render accurate tax and payment information for your financial records. The government agencies responsible for these “micro-incomes” will be stepping up their scrutiny and banking institutions are operating in partnership with them to do so more and more.
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