Selling stock photos can be a great way for photographers to earn passive income and expose their work to new audiences. With so many stock photo sites to choose from, it can be daunting to know where to start uploading your images. This guide examines the top microstock and larger stock photo agencies aspiring contributors should consider when looking to monetize their photos through licensing.
Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not personal financial advice and has not taken into account your personal financial position or objectives. Make sure to refer to a licensed financial or tax advisor.
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How Does Earning Passive Income From Stock Photography Work?
Passive income from stock photography is a great way for photographers to make money from their work without putting in a lot of additional effort. When you upload your photos to a stock photography website, they become available for purchase by businesses and individuals looking for high-quality images to use in their projects. Every time one of your photos is downloaded, you receive a royalty payment, allowing you to earn money long after the initial work of taking and editing the photos is done. To maximize your passive income from stock photography, it’s important to upload a large quantity of high-quality images, as well as regularly adding new content to keep your portfolio fresh and appealing to buyers. Additionally, it’s important to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of the stock photography website you choose, as well as to keep track of your earnings and potential tax obligations. With these basics in mind, you can start building a stream of passive income from your stock photography.
Key Criteria for Evaluating Stock Photo Sites
When researching stock agencies, there are three key factors photographers should assess:
Ease of Use: How simple is it to set up an account, upload images, manage portfolios, and access payment? Complex platforms can be frustrating.
Commissions: What percentage of each photo license sale does the site pay out to contributors? Higher payout rates equal more earnings.
Volume and Exposure: Large diverse buyer bases and millions of photo downloads indicate good sales potential.
Weighing these criteria, here are the top recommended stock photography sites:
Best Microstock Photo Sites
Microstock sites offer large volumes through small royalty-free image licenses sold for around $5-100 per image. Major microstock platforms include:
Shutterstock
Founded: 2003
Images: >300 million
Photographers: >1 million
Pros
- Ease of Use: Very high 4.5/5. Slick interfaces and tools to upload, manage portfolios, track metrics.
- Commissions: Good 4.0/5. Pays 15-30% to contributors. Additional 20% for exclusives.
- Volume & Exposure: Massive 5.0/5. Contributors can expose images to over 1.8 million active customers.
- Overall Score: Excellent at 4.75/5. Industry leader in microstock.
Shutterstock excels in simplicity, visibility and respectable contributor commissions. If considering microstock, Shutterstock is likely the best site to start.
Adobe Stock
Founded: 2014
Images: Over 100 million
Photographers: Unknown
Pros
- Ease of Use: Very good 4.5/5. Leverages Adobe’s slick interfaces and Creative Cloud ecosystem.
- Commissions: Good 4.0/5. Standard license sales earn 33% royalties.
- Volume & Exposure: Very good 4.5/5. Adobe’s brand and products generate downloads.
- Overall Score: Strong at 4.375/5. Adobe integration advantages.
Adobe Stock is a top choice for contributors already embedded into Adobe’s workflow. Decent royalties and expanding asset exposure.
iStock
Founded: 2000
Images: >100 million
Photographers: >100,000
Pros
- Ease of Use: Very good 4.0/5. While functional, interfaces less refined than Shutterstock/Adobe.
- Commissions: Good 4.0/5. Between 15% to 45% payouts based on exclusivity.
- Volume & Exposure: Good 4.0/5. Reasonable customer base, asset downloads and web visibility.
- Overall Score: Good 4.0/5. Established brand though smaller market share than top agencies.
One of the original microstock players. Very large buyer base though smaller growth and commissions than competitors. Worth investigating.
Depositphotos
Founded: 2009
Images: >200 million
Photographers: >100,000
Pros
- Ease of Use: Good 3.5/5. Account and image upload flows generally easy but interfaces dated.
- Commissions: Good 4.0/5. 30-50% royalties based on exclusivity status.
- Volume & Exposure: Good 4.0/5. Images appear on several reseller sites expanding reach.
- Overall Score: Strong 4.0/5. Russian site with global growth and reasonable payouts.
International site providing press, creative and web content across various languages. Decent exposure and better commissions than early microstocks.
Dreamstime
Founded: 2000
Images: 59 million
Photographers: 1 million
Pros
- Ease of Use: Very good 4.0/5. Convenient self-serve platform to manage images.
- Commissions: Good 4.0/5. Standard 30-50% royalty payments.
- Volume & Exposure: Good 4.0/5. Strong buyer base with subscription and on-demand licensing.
- Overall Score: Strong 4.0/5 rating. Higher payouts though smaller market presence than top agencies.
Another well-established traditional microstock with sizeable user base enabling licensing across various verticals and regions. Worth checking out.
Getty Images
Founded: 1995
Images: Over 300 million
Photographers: >200,000
Pros
- Ease of Use: Good 3.5/5 rating. Functionally able to submit though contributor tools lacking refinement.
- Commissions: Excellent 5.0/5 rating. RM sales earn 40-85% commissions.
- Volume & Exposure: Excellent 5.0/5 rating. Top global brand with content seen widely across editorial, advertising and beyond.
- Overall Score: Outstanding at 4.75/5. For brand, exposure, quality Getty Images leads among premium agencies.
Getty Images remains king in terms of prestigious buyers and high visibility usage. Strict image standards however commissions handsomely compensate.
Pixabay
Founded: 2010
Images: Over 2 million
Photographers: Hundreds of thousands
Pros
- Ease of Use: Excellent 5.0/5 rating. Beginner-friendly site requiring little technical skills.
- Commissions: Excellent 5.0/5 rating. Images licensed royalty-free though ad revenue shared for exclusive auto-tagged content.
- Volume & Exposure: Very good 4.0/5 rating. Website itself draws over 1.5 million daily visitors. Though total buyer base likely smaller than Getty/Shutterstock.
- Overall Score: Outstanding at 4.75/5. Easy-entry point for beginners to test selling stock photography.
Pixabay provides a simple way for novice photographers to release free-to-use creative commons stock images. User-interface extremely simple. While buyer base and awareness smaller than larger stock brands, makes starting out selling images unintimidating.
Unsplash
Founded: 2013
Images: Over 300 million
Photographers: Hundreds of thousands
Pros
- Ease of Use: Excellent 5.0/5 rating. Allows instant 10-image uploads from mobile or desktop.
- Commissions: Excellent 5.0/5 rating. Full photo attribution drives valuable lead-gen though no monetary compensation.
- Volume & Exposure: Very good 4.0/5 rating. Site fields over 100 million monthly visitors. Downstream audience reach harder to quantify.
- Overall Score: Outstanding at 4.75 rating. Powerful platform for credit and exposure. Income opportunities in branding, products, donations and more.
Unsplash offers effortless image sharing for rapid content enhancement. Contributing photographers gain huge referral traffic in exchange for royalty-free licenses. Significant indirect monetization possible. Great for amateurs building an audience.
Pond5
Founded: 2006
Media Assets: 18 million items
Content Creators: >100,000
Pros
- Ease of Use: Very good 4.0/5 rating. Contemporary interfaces facilitate uploads and management.
- Commissions: Good 4.0/5 rating. Photos earn 30-50% royalties depending on licenses sold.
- Volume & Exposure: Good 4.0/5 rating. Growing site though smaller than say Shutterstock presently.
- Overall Score: Strong 4.0/5 rating. Competitive commissions rewarded from reputable marketplace.
Originally specializing in video, Pond5 now features over 60 content types from songs to sound effects to images and more. More niche than largest agencies though continuously expanding its licensing businesses across creators.
Alamy
Founded: 1999
Images: Over 200 million media assets
Photographers: Over 100,000
Pros
- Ease of Use: Good 3.5/5 rating. Account setup easy, though contributor tools less refined.
- Commissions: Good 4.0/5 rating. Photos earn 50% under their standard license model.
- Volume & Exposure: Good 4.0/5 rating. Ranking among top stock brands with strong editorial presence however smaller than say Getty.
- Overall Score: Strong 4.0 rating. Established agency with exclusive options and integrated workflow tools for Adobe Lightroom.
Alamy operates one of the larger contemporary photo libraries serving creative industries. Decent interface capability, competitive commissions and integration support Adobe Creative Cloud etc. Provides expanded international client capabilities.
BigStockPhoto
Founded: 2004
Images: 38+ million
Photographers: Hundreds of thousands
Pros
- Ease of Use: Very good 4.0/5 rating. Allows easy upload and management of image portfolios.
- Commissions: Good 4.0/5 rating. Photos earn 30-45% in royalties.
- Volume & Exposure: Good 4.0/5 rating. Healthy buyer base with strong corporate sales presence.
- Overall Score: Strong 4.0/5 rating. Owned by well-known Shutterstock, BigStock leverages its infrastructure to enable content monetization.
BigStock Photo delivers simplicity in selling stock images and vectors across various industries. Its corporate client exposure continues growing since its acquisition by publicly traded Shutterstock Inc. Provides integrated creative tools appealing to business customers.
Evaluating the Stock Landscape
Today’s stock photo market provides varied options meeting different business models and creator needs:
Microstocks enable volume sales amidst fierce competition. Shutterstock, Adobe Stock and iStock still dominate. Newer entrants like Depositphotos and Dreamstime offer higher commissions catering to exclusive contributors.
Premium agencies offer higher quality demands yet reward much greater earnings potential from reputable high-paying clientele. Getty Images leads this premium space.
Free stocks like Pixabay and Unsplash provide stress-free image sharing rewarding creators through valuable attribution traffic, not money. Great places to start before attempting sales.
Emerging marketplaces continue gaining strength. Some also cater to more niches from video and illustrations to music and sound effects.
Emerging Photography Platforms
In addition to primary stock photo sites, new disruptive players enable photographers greater independence managing and selling their images directly.
Photoshelter
Photoshelter operates as both a stock agency and software platform for photographers needing portfolio hosting, sales and distribution tools. Differentiates itself through:
- Retaining creator rights and IP ownership over images
- Providing designer portfolio site templates
- Software functionality like galleries, e-commerce, workflow plugins etc
Ideal for professional photographers seeking expanded distribution paired with custom branding under their own business identity.
500px
500px functions as an inspirational photo sharing community first, licensed marketplace second. Known for beautiful photography curation across genres like portrait, landscape, street and travel photos. Offers contributors:
- Exposure and recognition through photo challenges
- Print sales fulfilling demand for fine art photography
- Some licensing via Getty Images and Adobe Stock integration
Best for artistic photographers prioritizing visibility, feedback and print demand over licensing sales.
Pixieset
Pixieset delivers simple e-commerce functionality for photographers to self-publish and sell their work. Supports:
- Client galleries with purchase options
- Print labs integrations
- Easy digital delivery
- Invoicing and analytics
Appeals to photographers wanting straight-forward sales tools beyond basic blogging platforms.
ShootProof
ShootProof specializes in streamlining business operations for professional photographers from portfolio sites to print ordering and financial reporting. In particular provides:
- Robust proofing tools
- Integrated lab printing
- Contracts, invoices and accounting
Ideal for high-volume studio photographers needing to simplify sales and order management.
Envira Gallery
Envira Gallery offers a WordPress plugin allowing photographers create responsive portfolios with built-in e-commerce, protected images and social sharing support. As a WordPress solution, enables creators to:
- Host and sell direct from their own sites
- Avoid paying commissions
- Leverage WordPress customizations
Best for WordPress-savvy photographers wanting integrated galleries with minimal third-party dependencies and fees.
SmugMug
SmugMug provides an all-in-one solution addressing photographers’ core needs around sharing, storing and selling their work.
Pros
- Professional Photo Sharing: Customizable portfolio templates to showcase work professionally.
- Privacy and Security: Detailed privacy controls, right-click protection, password capabilities and private links ensure images are only seen by intended audiences.
- Unlimited Storage: Zero-compression unlimited storage removes worries about running out of space.
- Direct Links & Social Sharing: Users can create direct links to photos at various sizes and generate posts for social media.
- Selling Tools: Tools empower selling prints, products and digital downloads with custom price lists and robust client features.
For the independent professional photographer, SmugMug hits multiple key business areas from beautiful presentation to secure archiving to streamlined sales.
Maximizing Stock Sales & Earnings
Shoot Trending and Seasonal Images
Want to maximize stock sales and earnings over time? First, shoot trending topics and seasonal events like holidays to increase relevancy. Continuously examine current news cycles, viral social media phenomena and even forecasted color schemes to capitalize on what buyers want right now. This topical timeliness grabs client attention. Schedule shoots around cultural moments and predicted design trends that tap into public intrigue and fascination.
License Exclusives and Non-Exclusives
Also consider licensing some premium images exclusively to individual agencies to earn higher royalties per sale. Though concurrently, distribute more evergreen public domain scenes across multiple platforms as affordable non-exclusives. Likewise, specialize in fewer niche categories around specific subjects like food, business or travel where you can build distinct creative advantages through superior first-hand experience and photographic mastery of those verticals’ subtleties.
Cultivate a Signature Style
Further cultivate signature styles around your inherent strengths and interests as a photographer, be it black-and-white portraiture, serene landscape vistas or gritty urban cityscapes. This artistic focus makes work more identifiable as uniquely your brand which buyers actively seek out. Equally examine the light and tones that distinguish your perspective.
Offer Bundled Photo Collections
Additionally, persuade buyers into multi-file, multi-seat buys by digitally bundling photos thematically and offering slight discounts over individual a la carte purchases. Similarly, upsell enhanced licenses when possible to collect higher licensing fees for uses in larger print runs, productions or distributions.
Analyze Metrics and Pivot Accordingly
And remember to continually analyze your sales metrics across agencies to recognize successes worth replicating across topics and markets. Closely identify underperformers to pivot time and creative investment accordingly towards more profitable channels. Use hard data to double down creatively where financial returns prove greatest. Continued analysis ensures efforts stay aligned with actual buyer licensing behavior, guiding production towards what currently sells.
FAQ
Q: What are the best places to sell stock photography?
A: Some of the best places to sell stock photography online include Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images, and iStock. These platforms are popular among photographers and offer a wide reach to potential buyers.
Q: How can I start selling my photos online?
A: To start selling your photos online, you can sign up with stock photo websites such as Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Alamy. Once registered, you can upload your high-quality photos and start earning money when they are purchased by customers.
Q: What is the easiest way to sell photos online?
A: The easiest way to sell photos online is to sign up with stock photo websites that have user-friendly interfaces and straightforward upload processes. Platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock offer simple ways to upload and sell your photos.
Q: What are the best stock photography sites for selling images?
A: The best stock photography sites for selling images include Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images, iStock, and Alamy. These platforms are known for their large customer base and opportunities for photographers to earn money.
Q: Can I sell my photography on multiple stock photo websites?
A: Yes, many photographers choose to sell their photography on multiple stock photo websites to maximize their reach and potential earnings. As long as you comply with the terms and conditions of each platform, you can sell the same images on different sites.
Q: What are the advantages of selling photos online?
A: Selling photos online allows photographers to reach a global audience, earn money from their creative work, and build a passive income stream. Additionally, it provides opportunities for exposure and networking within the photography community.
Q: How can I find the best stock photography website to sell my work?
A: When looking for the best stock photography website to sell your work, consider factors such as commission rates, customer reach, ease of use, and the platform’s reputation within the photography industry. Research and compare different sites to determine the best fit for your photography.
Q: Are there specific requirements for selling photos on stock photography websites?
A: Most stock photography websites have guidelines for image quality, copyright compliance, and content standards. It’s important to review each platform’s requirements and ensure that your photos meet the specified criteria before uploading them for sale.
Q: What should I consider before choosing a stock photography website to sell my photos?
A: Before selecting a stock photography website to sell your photos, consider aspects such as commission rates, licensing terms, customer base, and the platform’s reputation. It’s also beneficial to read reviews and testimonials from other photographers who have used the site.
Q: Can I sell both photos and videos on stock photo websites?
A: Yes, many stock photo websites allow photographers to sell both photos and videos. If you create high-quality video content in addition to photos, you can explore platforms that accommodate both mediums to expand your earning opportunities.
