Natural pictures of people going about everyday things are in high demand on microstock sites. One photographer I know makes over a million dollars a year selling stock people pictures. He does most of his work in a studio but the trend today is to more natural photographs of people doing everyday activities. Don't think it's only pretty girls that sell because there is a big demand for pictures of very old people.
When photographing people the Point and Shoot Camera is better for lots of reasons. Point and Shoot Cameras are quick and easy to use and don't attract the interest of a huge SLR. Many times you can take a great natural picture before anyone notices you aiming a camera at them. Another reason is that it's far more likely a small camera will be with you when you need it.
The key to getting better photographs is to take the photo before they know what happened. The small camera lets you do this with practice and learning to pre-focus. It's a good idea to keep the camera hidden most of the time. Try hiding a big SLR and camera bag full of lenses. Some of the new small cameras have a much improved auto-focus system so you can go without a tripod.
It's not good to stick a giant camera and huge lens in a strangers face. A (High quality) Point and shoot is much better. Most people don't like a Professional Photographer taking their picture without knowing who they are first. You could be from all sorts of intuitions depending on what the people are involved in at the time. What if the person is on the run from the law? A huge SLR makes you look like a Pro and attracts unwanted attention to you. You want your photos to look natural and relaxed and not posed.
I have some nice pictures of fists and one of a big chrome pistol, and two of the sky that are interesting but not very saleable. The best picture is the one of me retrieving my camera out of the ocean with a big shark chasing me. I only wish that one was an inexpensive Point and Shoot Camera. So learn to be quick and blend in with the crowd and don't press if the person is trying to avoid you.
I learned quickly that a small Digital Point and Shoot Camera is much less threatening to most people and if anything is wrong the person will most likely turn his head and walk away. Later you can establish a rapport with people by being genuinely interested in them. You want to photograph them in a way that reflects who they are and what their life is like. Your photos need to show your subjects relaxed in their own environment. Be invited to their space without invading it and your pictures will show it.
The Great Photographer Henri-Cartier Bresson used a small 35mm Leica and could take pictures so quickly that people didn't notice. Not a Point and Shoot but still a small Camera. He used only that camera and one small lens and must have practiced like a gunfighter. To do this the camera needs to become an extension of you and your mind. Don't take this lightly because these kinds of pictures are valuable and worth the effort. Pretend you are a marshal in the old west. How much would you practice before facing the public?
Point and Shoot Cameras are for the most part low quality and have problems that aren't well suited to shooting stock pictures to sell. Their shadow detail and problems with highlights produce pictures that won't do good things for your reputation.
However today there is much good news in the development of new Sensors and Digital Camera manufacturer's willingness to use them in small cameras. These high quality small digital cameras are more expensive than the average Point and Shoot Camera but less than a Pro Grade SLR.
It's much easier to get a release if you have something to give away. A small instant print from the new Instant Digital Camera makes prints on the spot and would be a great advantage because everyone loves pictures. Each print costs around 50 cents so only use for really good subjects and shoot lots of pictures.
Carry little gifts with you to help pay for pictures but take the picture first and pay later. The idea is to first take the picture while your subjects are natural looking. And then ask, pay, take a few snaps to make them happy and move on.
If things are going well and they trust and like you then bring out the big SLR and take around 500 shots or more. Be sure to take lots of pictures because it doesn't cost you anything but time. Remember that each good photo could pay you for many years to come.
If none of these things work then don't spend a lot of time with one subject. There are lots of people pictures and to get lots of great photos you must keep moving and keep shooting. Don't mess around with a hard case or problem person. Shoot ask and keep moving but make notes of who signs and who does not and don't use those pictures for anything except news stories.
If you want those great natural pictures that are in high demand there are some small cameras that work much better and produce some special qualities you must have if you want to sell your work.
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