Stock imagery frequently contains recurring and similar themes. When a new concept becomes popular, other hopeful contributors want to get in on the action by shooting their own versions. Suddenly the market is flooded with similars, all battling for the same sales, and your image gets buried on page 19 of search results.

How can you make the most of your portfolio, maximize your acceptance rate, and make your images stand out from the crowd? We’re glad you asked. Here are a couple of ideas to get more eyes on your images:

• Turn a common concept on its head by altering a key component. A slight change to the style of clothing, angle/perspective, location, age or gender can make all the difference. Play around with making funny situations serious and serious situations funny. Come up with something funny or offbeat, and it is more likely to stand out and more likely to be purchased.

• Re-shoot when things go out of style. Clothing, filter effects, and color treatment often run the risk of becoming dated. Images showcasing the latest gadget or device, while popular with customers, can look old easily. Stay on top of the curve and re-shoot with the latest and greatest. Try revisiting old shots with a new eye. Think of new interpretations of classic concepts.

• Look to the future and pay attention to cultural trends. What is about to get popular? Which new technologies will be in demand? Which news stories will become lasting topics? Look for gaps in content. Fill the gaps. Collect money.

Take a look at our album of common concepts with a fresh look.

• Use selective focus. Keep the focal point on those for whom you have obtained releases, and make sure everyone else is blurred enough not to be recognizable. If you don’t have releases for anyone, place the focus elsewhere.

• Shoot people in full silhouette. This can work especially well at large events with brightly-lit stages or fields.

• Watch for visible logos, advertisements, photos, etc. These will need to be removed.

• Even when photographed from behind, people can still be potentially recognizable. A rear view is no guarantee that releases are unnecessary.

• Keep in mind that you may need to get a release for any event being attended, as well as the venue in which it is being held. Even when the focus is not on the event itself, recognizable staging/lighting can be an issue.

• Our ideal scenario? Cast for a controlled stock shoot, and make sure everyone involved signs a model release beforehand.

Check out this album of our favorite crowd and group images.