An Exclusive Insight into Freepik Photography Contributor Luis Molinero’s Work
Photographer and Freepik contributor Luis Molinero started out by taking photographs with his father. Based in Spain, he is now a renowned photographer and contributor for Freepik. In the following interview, he talks about his interest in photography as well as giving some valuable advice. Furthermore, he explains the benefits of uploading his work onto Freepik.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? What do you like to do in your free time?
I live in Torrevieja, Spain, where I share a photography studio with other people who work in microstock, like me. The truth is, I spend most of my day in the studio, as I share my work with my friends, and I do what I like for a living, I mix work and leisure. Also, when I get home at night, I like to paint oil paintings, I studied art and it’s one of my biggest hobbies.
The truth is, I spend most of my day in the studio, as I share my work with my friends, and I do what I like for a living
When did you start to take photos? Did you always have that passion for photography?
I’ve always been into the visual arts and digital illustration, but my dad likes photography and when I started studying that in University, he would teach me with his Olympus OM-2 and we would go around the city together taking photos.
How did you get into the world of photography? When did you start in the industry?
I had a friend that started working in Microstock, and when he told me he was making money from it, I decided to try it. The idea of being able to work in world of photography really called out to me. In that moment I was just finishing my degree and I didn’t have anything better to do, so I had nothing to lose in trying it… And as time went by, I got a surprise! I started taking photos of food and things in my house, and, little by little, I got better equipment.
The key is in variety, you cannot limit yourself to just one kind of photography like landscapes, portraits, objects… you have to try everything
Talk to us about your portfolio: Approximately, how many photo compilations have you created along your career? With which style do you feel more comfortable with? Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I normally take two kinds of photos, the first is more focused on studio photography and I try to take on as many concepts as I can so when the client looks for a keyword, they can get to my portfolio, I try to take photos from all kinds of professions and themes that I can. Also, they’re normally photos on white backgrounds so that the buyer can easily insert an image in their design.
I also take photos outside, like landscapes, portraits… From experience, I can say that they have less commercial value, but I like them more.
What advice would you give to somebody that’s starting out as a photographer?
As I was saying before, the key is in variety, you cannot limit yourself to just one kind of photography like landscapes, portraits, objects… you have to try everything. The more themes and concepts you touch on; the more possibilities you’ll have of buyers finding your portfolio.
What made you want to work with microstock platforms?
Very simple: I could work with something I like, photography.
What stands out the most, and with a difference, is the dedication towards contributors, the good treatment they give us and the ease to be able to contact them
And, what advice would you give people who are thinking about using the microstock platforms?
The first thing, when you’re starting, is to be patient. You’ll get income as time goes on, in the beginning, you might feel like you’re not making a lot per download, but as months go by and you see that the image has been downloaded a lot of times, your perception will change.
What made you take the step to join Freepik?
They sent me an email from Freepik offering me to collaborate with them, the treatment they gave me was very welcoming and everything was well explained, so I decided to try it out.
What are the main benefits of working with Freepik’s contributor model compared to other platforms?
What stands out the most, and with a difference, is the dedication towards contributors, the good treatment they give us and the ease to be able to contact them about any kind of doubt.
What advice would you give other photographers that want to be contributors on Freepik? Do you have any advice on how to be successful on our platform?
To be successful, you have to be up to date with the latest trends. A way to do this is to make a study inside Freepik and see where the buyer’s demands are, seeing what images are the most popular. With this, I don’t mean to say that you should copy others, but to be up to date on what other photographers are doing, and what buyers want.
To be successful, you have to be up to date with the latest trends. A way to do this is to make a study inside Freepik and see where the buyer’s demands are
Would you recommend other photographers to join Freepik as contributors?
Without a doubt, as a person whose been working on image banks, I can just say that an important part of my income comes from Freepik. And now, it’s not just for the money, as I said before, the treatment on their part cannot be bested.
