As part of our new weekly blog series featuring iSyndica artists, we spent a few minutes with Tyler Olson, stock photographer on iSyndica & founder of MicrostockGroup.com

Tyler is a professional photographer specializing in stock photography.  The majority of his work goes to microstock agencies, with a few images selected for specialty collections.  In his spare time, he runs the popular forum Microstockgroup.com and blogs about his work at SimpleFoto.com.   

Country of origin: Norway

Camera/lens setup: Canon 5D mark II + the three L 2.8 zoom lenses.  I am currently drooling for some primes.  I recently bought a HenselPorty flash unit, which I am hoping to get some good use from.

Portfolio: http://www.simplefoto.com

How did you get into photography, and microstock?

I have always been interested in photography.  I remember getting my first 110mm film camera for my birthday when I was around 10.  After receiving a Fine Arts degree in photography, I was interested in earning a living from photography, but only realized then that earning a living wasn’t discussed at all in school.  There’s a Fine Arts degree for you!  I ended up setting up shop as a potter and part time photographer, and soon after, stumbled upon microstock from a link on a photography forum.  Things took off from there.    

What subjects inspire you to shoot?

I generally shoot subjects I have a personal interest in.  I really like the process of making food, and the challenge of shooting good looking food. I like the camping and outdoors, as well as traveling and exploring new cultures.  Simply capturing what I see with a camera is a big part of the thrill.    

How do you approach your microstock shoots?

I have a pretty relaxed attitude towards microstock.  I could probably stand to be a little more focused, but I have very low overhead which allows me to shoot the subjects I am interested in while being less reliant on profitability.  I obviously still have the need for profit, like everyone else, but having no employees or full time studio, my profit is easier to get to.  Shooting what I am interested in also often places my images within niche subject, which are not as popular as "business man on white" but also don’t have the same competition as the popular subjects.

Share one of your key takeaways from selling stock in 2009

I feel the microstock industry is really starting to take shape – or perhaps HAS taken shape.  Prices have increased a lot in 2009, there are a larger number of really big producers taking advantage of the situation and third-party services are providing photographer support and agencies are consolidating.

How do you see the microstock industry changing in 2010?  

I think the industry is going to keep racing towards a professional market.  In 2009, we saw a jump in quality images being submitted – it is going to be harder for the part-time hobbyist to see significant sales with mediocre images.  That said, the number of buyers is increasing as well, and for those who are able to produce the best shots, it should be a great year.  

If you had all the time in the world, what would change?  

Hmm, well I guess I would just do more of the same.  I really love microstock as a job – so in my job life, I would shoot more, travel more, edit more and upload more.  In my personal life, I would do more of the same, too… more traveling, cooking, baking, camping, climbing…more living!