Keeping your earnings high means not only producing high-quality images, but creating stock files which are up-to-date. We are in 2013 now, so it would seem rather old-fashioned to draw an ordinary red heart or a couple of Cupids. We’d like to help you create popular illustrations by reviewing the latest trends of Valentine’s Day graphics. Luckily, we have two secret weapons in our hands: our current search trends and the statistics from 2012 that we can compare.

Happy Valentine Day heart | Stock Photo © Depositphotos | wacomka

‘One minute more, and the wager would be won. Andrew Stuart and his partners suspended their game. They left their cards, and counted the seconds. At the fortieth second, nothing. At the fiftieth, still nothing. At the fifty-fifth, a loud cry was heard in the street, followed by applause, hurrahs, and some fierce growls. The players rose from their seats. At the fifty-seventh second the door of the saloon opened; and the pendulum had not beat the sixtieth second when Phileas Fogg appeared, followed by an excited crowd who had forced their way through the club doors, and in his calm voice, said, ‘Here I am, gentlemen!’

Phileas Fogg finally returned to London, and he was just on time to win his bet. This is where our journey ends, and we’d like to finish it with these beautiful images of London by Depositphotos contributors. Stay tuned!

Cartoon map of London | Stock Vector © Depositphotos | AnastasiiaKu

We asked our contributor Vladimir Serov how he managed to create those truly amazing portraits you can find in his portfolio. Vladimir has kindly agreed to share some recommendations on how to work with models and turn each shot into a masterpiece.

1. Photography means constant experiments both with a model and the environment. Use everything you can: light filters, smoke generators, smoke cartridges, glass, water, mirrors – everything you can find around. Your task is not only to create a special image but also a surrounding where you can use this image in a harmonic way.

Beautiful steam punk lady | Stock Photo © Depositphotos | Vladimir Serov