Also, do stock photography websites pay you to put your pictures on their site?

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Stock Photography is existing photography that is available for commercial use - as opposed to assignment photography, which is custom made to someone's specifications.

Stock photo agencies keep a library of photos to license out (i.e. rent) for use in advertising, magazines, et cetera. The license could be for a limited length of time, the number of copies of the magazine it appears in... or for a set price, as long as the customer wants ("royalty-free"). Part of the royalty fee goes back to the copyright holder. A repeatedly used photo could make money for the photographer for years. The agencies get photos through a number of ways: submissions by the photographer, specific assignments, or even photographers on salary. Photos the agency asks the photographer to make are "works for hire", and the copyright and royalties for those belong to the agency. For an in-depth look at the photo business, check out Dan Heller's photography web site: http://www.danheller.com/bizfaq.html If you just want to dabble, a visit to some of the online shops like http://www.iStockPhoto.com will prove to be educational; they explain what they're looking for and some of the legal issues involved. The prices for photos is extremely low but it'll give you a chance to see what works and maybe even get you noticed.

There is a great resource at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_photography Seriously have a read of it,because it gives good explanations of the process. www.digitalphotographysuccess.com

Stock photography involves providing all purpose photos to a library or database. Companies or ad agencies look through these databases to search for the the image they are looking for without the hassle of sending a photographer on assignment. When you apply for your photos to be displayed on a stock database, it will be judged on technical skill, creativeness and individuality from pictures already taken. If your pictures pass this test then they will be displayed in the database. Only when a company actually picks your pictures do you get paid, therefore it is important to provide as many photos as possible. The greater the range, the more possibility of your photo being chosen.

you upload your photographs and when someone dowloads them you get paid for it. the website gets a piece too. try www.istockphoto.com it is free!