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If you're on vacation, there is no such thing as shooting too many photos. But if you are planning on uploading any of those shots to a stock portfolio, you may want to think twice. And think twice again. That's right, think four times. Most vacation photos do not make for good stock, and as someone who inspects thousands of photos every month, I thought I would share a short list of dos and don'ts with you.

Before I do, however, let me add this little disclaimer: Some snapshots are amazing. Sometimes, we capture a truly beautiful, interesting or exciting moment and end up with a stunning photo. So, don't think of this list as set in stone. Clay perhaps, but certainly not granite.

The Don't List

1. The Sunset

It was great. It was romantic. It was a memory you will keep forever. But for everyone else, it's probably just another picture of a sunset. It will likely be shot a little too late, because you were enjoying yourself, and so the photo will end up not being as great as your memory. Savor the moment and leave the camera alone.

2. The Landmark

Granted, if you can shoot an interesting photo of a well-known landmark, you may have a good, selling stock image. But if you're just passing by, chances are that thousands of others will have gone on the exact route you are now going, taking the same picture from the same spot. It will make for a good shot in your private collection, but it's probably going to suck for stock. I can't tell you how many shots of the blue-domed church on Santorini island I see every month. Enough that I never want to go there!

3. You-had-to-be-there

You will love it, because you were there. To me, it's just another mountain, another beach or another marina. To you, the light was being filtered through the trees to the point of magic. To me, it looks like you pointed your camera at a tree and accidentally clicked the button. To you, the meadow was so tranquil, you could hear angels sing. To me, it's just another boring field. You get the point. Take the picture, then think four times about whether it will mean something to a designer before you try to sell it.

The Do List

1. Shoot the Locals

Every place is unique. If you can find that uniqueness, you may very well find some awesome photography as well. And the local population is the perfect place to look. Take photos of the local panpipe maker in Peru (if you can get him to sign a model release, even better), or the guys who do the maintenance on the Golden Gate bridge — complete with the bridge in the background. Or get up close on the leathery hands of that old French winemaker. So much more interesting than another random shot of grapes.

2. Go Where No Man Has Gone...

It doesn't have to be space, though that would be cool. If you're going to shoot the Statue of Liberty, try to find a new and alternative angle. Doing some research here is a good idea. Hop online and see what everyone else did, then do something different. It's often just as easy as it sounds, and you may just end up with a one-of-a-kind vacation snapshot. Sometimes it's as simple as tilting your camera, other times, you may have to resort to more radical solutions. Creative thinking can overturn any of the don'ts mentioned above.

3. Involve Others

If you're going for those travel brochure shots, you need to have some beautiful people in there. They should be dressed in bright, comfortable clothes and look like they're having so much fun that they never want to go home. Have a blast with your travel companions and get those genuine smiles out. Use props- from beach balls to hiking boots that should have gotten tossed away three trips ago. Anything that adds ambience and helps tell a story.

Rasmus Rasmussen is on loan from iStockphoto, where he is part of the image inspection team.