Thinking of signing up with an online stock photography agency? Where do you begin? Consider these points before you take the plunge.

Network. Talk to friends and colleagues already in the field of online stock. Your colleagues are usually the best references and can give you pointers for starting out and staying current. Scour the blogs and message boards to get the real skinny on whatever agency you are considering.

Agency's need for images. Most agencies will list the types of images needed and their specialization areas on their sites. Often, an agency is looking to build or boost a collection in a specific genre and they will often list the genres for which they have plenty of images. You will find that the same photo posted on two different sites may yield a different result in terms of sales.

Photographer qualifications. Some agencies welcome anyone, but others are more selective. Some agencies list specific credentials necessary to become associated with their company. Others welcome or even specialize in newcomers.

Pricing structure. Look at the percentage of commission the agency offers, but don't let that be the only determining factor for you. Just because an agency offers a higher commission does not necessarily mean that sales will be better than an agency offering a lower one.

Payment procedure. Be sure to check out how and when you will be paid for your work. Some agencies require you to accumulate a certain dollar amount before you can withdraw funds. Be sure you know when payment will be made as well. The agency may pay on a regular basis, such as monthly, or you may just withdraw accumulated funds at your discretion.

Submission Process. Each agency has its own policies for submission. Be sure to thoroughly review the submission process and follow it to the letter. If you are unsure about something, contact them for clarification. Some agencies require a portfolio for review before accepting a photographer. Some have an evaluation process that you must pass before being considered. Some require submissions on a regular basis.

Terms of Contract. Review the terms of the contract. Some agencies expect exclusivity or offer it as an option. Some agencies merely act as a portal for the photographer, with the photographer having the ability to set pricing. Others use standardized pricing for all with the agency handling the sales of the images. Be sure you understand the terms of the contract before you commit. Check the length of time you are committing to and be sure to read the fine print. You need to know how to terminate the contract if the agency does not work out for you.

Photographer Support. Another important consideration is the support offered to the photographers. Some agencies offer services such as lightbox functionality and assistance with keywords. Some agencies offer tutorials, blogs, and message boards for their contributors. Be sure to check out all the services the agency has to offer.

Buyer Support. Equally as important as the level of support to photographers is the support provided to buyers. The stock photography agency serves as your representative to the customers. Their level of support to buyers can affect your image, as you are associated with their agency. You should check the level on buyer satisfaction with any agency you are considering. Some of the agencies offer blogs and message boards for the buyers as well as the photographers. Of course, you could always check out the agency through an internet search.

Amount of Traffic. Check out the statistics for the agency. Many will liberally post their statistics. Does this agency market to your preferred audience? Check to see what types of photos sell and what is currently hot. Check out who is buying from this agency to see if it is a good match for you.

Tracking and Reporting. What system does the agency have in place to track your sales? How is that information reported to you? Being able to track your sales can help you to adjust your images to suit the market. You may choose to remove photos with weak sales and replace with different images. You can also monitor to see what is selling well.

Type of Stock Handled. Another very important consideration is whether the agency you are interested in handles RF stock, RM stock, or both. For the protection of your images and to the ability to control usage, RM stock agencies are the best option. In those that handle both, the RF side may dominate, due to the sheer volume of RF offerings.

Going with more than one agency. It may take a bit of trial and error to find the stock agency that is the perfect match for you. Many photographers are content working with just one agency while others find better sales by listing with more than one. Some agencies offer better commission rates for exclusivity.

Whatever agency you choose, be sure to know all the particulars up front before you make a commitment. Then, go for it, you won't make any sales if you don't submit anything!