I’ve previously discussed requesting an image on iStockphoto, either because you can’t find it in the haystack that is 5 million plus images, or because it just isn’t there yet. Or perhaps you need a different angle of something. I thought today, I would give a few “success” stories of requests I’ve answered that turned out well.
Almond Biscotti
In this thread, the poster was looking for a variety of food related subjects to use on a candle website:
Hi everyone! I am in Independent Distributor with Scent-Sations Inc. I have a personal site, http://www.JennyKing.com which has links to my distributor site. I’d like to link images that correspond to the Candle Fragrances.
Originally, the thread was titled “Need Almond Biscotti Pics” or something to that effect, as the initial set of requests included that coffee treat. I had some studio non-people shots I was going to do that day, so I made a point to hit the supermarket before my studio time to gather some props – the biscotti, almonds, chocolate, etc. I don’t normally do food photography, so I thought this would be a fun diversion. And it was. My favorite image is below (and this was licensed by the buyer) :

Now, I try to stay low carb in the morning, so I have a box of wrapped biscotti still. Anyone hungry? As a buyer, sometimes, a contributor will have some extra time to help out.
Video Game Kid
In this thread, the designer needed an image of a teen playing video games, on white, full body.
I am working on a teen (aged 11-16) internet/online safety project and I am desparate for a pictures of an online gamer. I have one from another stock photo site, but it only shows the child from the waist up.
Co-incidentally, I had a shoot planned for the next day with a teen, so I offered to get the image she wanted. Turned out, I had forgotten the model was 10, and not in the requested age range, but I posed the model appropriately, and it turned out that it worked for their needs. So, sometimes, as a requester, you get lucky, and schedules just work out.

Lease to Own
Here’s a request where the buyer wasn’t clear enough in his description as to what he was looking for. Once he elaborated a bit, I was able to offer up a possible image that could be edited to his needs.
I was hoping to find a yard sign photo that said “Rent to Own” or “Lease Option”. I can google images for those words but they are not too good.

With a little Photoshop editing, this, or another from the series, could fulfill his needs.
3d House
Along the same lines, this poster was looking for a 3d render of a home:
HELP! Looking for a 3d arial cutout view of a home similar to this. Does anyone know of one? I have searched with no luck. Thanks for any help.
I was able to show something similar from my portfolio from a few years back, and even spent some time to refresh the design of the render from scratch. I don’t know if it ended up meeting his needs, but I think it will prove useful enough to others, that it pays back the time investment.

I will usually take the time to fulfill requests like this if I think they are generic enough to sell a few times in the future.
Different Angle
Lastly, you could always contact a contributor directly with a request. However, requests like this should be easy to accomodate, such as a different angle from an existing shoot, or an idea for a future shoot that is not too specific. Trying to get a custom series shot by a contributor that no one else will ever want is just not really good form.
I received a site mail request below:
I need a wider crop on image #7848217 (couples massage – Portrait). The Girl in the foreground is too cut off. Would you be able to post a revised one?
The best I could do in this case was a wider cropped image from a lower angle. It still has not been downloaded, and I haven’t heard back from the poster, so I don’t know if this met the need or not.

… which brings me to a conclusion …
Conclusion
We iStock contributors want you buyers to find what you are looking for. We want you to be happy. We want to provide you with the content you need. However, keep in mind that we do spend time, effort and money to supply this content.
If you make a request, please be sure to follow through, either with a reason it didn’t work, or a purchase. In addition, keep your forum thread updated, so others do not duplicate effort. Also, in my opinion, a larger image licensed than you might perhaps need, shows appreciation for the special effort made to fill your needs.
We work together, and everyone is happy.