Make Money By Selling Photos on Shutterstock: Tips and Tricks
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If photography is your passion, whether you wield a top-of-the-line camera or simply rely on your smartphone, Shutterstock offers a gateway to turning your hobby into a source of income. With its massive monthly traffic and extensive user base, Shutterstock provides an ideal platform for photographers of all levels to exhibit their work and attract potential buyers.
For newcomers venturing into the world of selling photos on Shutterstock, our beginner's guide serves as a comprehensive resource. It takes you through each stage of the process, starting from the creation of a free contributor account on Shutterstock, all the way to successfully making that first sale, empowering you with the knowledge and confidence needed to kickstart your journey in the world of stock photography.
What is a Shutterstock
In brief, Shutterstock, established by programmer and photographer Jon Oringer and headquartered in New York City, is a leading agency in the stock photo industry. Notably, it introduced the concept of stock photo subscriptions.
Boasting a vast library of over 95 million images, Shutterstock offers Royalty-Free licenses, providing users with remarkable flexibility. Moreover, it features an editorial website dedicated to editorial-only imagery, accompanied by specialized subscription plans. With subscription options that effectively reduce the cost of images to less than a dollar each, Shutterstock has expanded its offerings to include stock footage, music, audio, and editorial content.
Complemented by advanced technological tools and an intuitively designed website, Shutterstock remains a top choice for content creators and businesses alike.
Shutterstock offers two primary account categories: one for customers purchasing photos and media, and another for contributors selling their own photos. This article will walk you through the process of setting up and utilizing a Shutterstock contributor account.
What does the Shutterstock contributor program entail?
To enrol in the Shutterstock contributor program, photographers and illustrators simply need to submit an application and upload their images, be they photographs, illustrations, or icons. These submissions become integrated into the platform's expansive library for customers to browse and purchase. Each time a customer buys one of these images on Shutterstock, the contributor receives payment.
Shutterstock boasts a vast customer base, making it notably easier for potential buyers to discover and procure your images in comparison to other platforms. Renowned for its extensive contributor program, Shutterstock offers the potential for contributors to earn up to 40% of the total revenue generated from photo sales.
What's particularly advantageous is that there's no need for active promotion of your images to reach your desired audience. Simply upload your content to Shutterstock, and the platform manages the rest, ensuring exposure to potential buyers.
How do I begin selling my photos on Shutterstock?
If you're good at taking great photos, whether with a camera or phone, you can sell them on Shutterstock. Signing up is quick and free. Just follow these steps to start selling your photos.
1. Register for a Shutterstock contributor account
To set up a Shutterstock contributor account and begin selling your photos on Shutterstock, navigate to the Shutterstock contributor website via this link: submit.shutterstock.com. Click on "Start now" to initiate the process.
Enter your full name in the designated fields. If you wish for your full name to be visible on your Shutterstock account, input it in both fields. Alternatively, opt for a different name.
Generate a robust password and ensure its memorability. Agree to the site's terms and conditions, then click "Next."
Check your inbox for an email from Shutterstock. Open the email and follow the activation link to verify your account, as depicted in the image provided.
Upon email verification, you'll receive confirmation of your account's approval. Proceed by providing your current address and mobile number.
Once you encounter the notification depicted in the image, you're prepared to start uploading your photos for sale on Shutterstock. However, before commencing, we recommend clicking "Go to your dashboard" to finalize your account setup before adding any photos.
2. Complete your personal account as a Shutterstock contributor
Before you begin uploading images and offering them for sale on Shutterstock, it's crucial to ensure your account information is fully filled out. Follow these steps:
1. Navigate to your Shutterstock contributor account settings and access the "Public profile" section. Ensure you have a professional profile picture and consider customizing your Portfolio URL with a name that reflects your identity.
2. If you've showcased your work on other platforms or your own website, include links to those sites along with your social media profiles.
3. Craft a tagline within the "About" section incorporating keywords relevant to your photography niche. For instance, if you specialize in landscape photography, make sure to highlight it in your tagline.
4. Clearly indicate in the "About" section whether you'll be uploading photographs, illustrations, and/or videos. Select three examples of images that best represent your unique style.
5. Choose up to five subjects that are typically depicted in your photos or are central to your work.
6. In the "Biography" segment, provide a comprehensive profile outlining your background in photography and your motivations for pursuing this field. Feel free to include any additional pertinent information.
By completing these steps, your Shutterstock account will be well-prepared for selling your images effectively.
3. Follow Shutterstock's rules and terms
To adhere to Shutterstock's terms, contributors are permitted to upload multiple images without specific restrictions. However, there are criteria for images to be accepted for sale:
1. Photographs must be in JPEG format and fall within a size range of 4 to 50 megapixels; RAW files are not permissible.
2. Vector images should be in EPS format, compatible with Adobe Illustrator 8 or 10, and the file size must not exceed 100MB.
3. Contributors must be at least 18 years old and undergo identity verification.
4. Full rights and copyright ownership of submitted images are mandatory for photographers. Using images that violate others' rights, including those sourced from social media or free libraries, is prohibited.
5. Images taken with professional DSLR cameras or high-quality smartphones meeting specified criteria are eligible for submission.
4. Selling your images on Shutterstock after uploading them
To begin monetizing your photos through Shutterstock, once your contributor account is set up, you'll find yourself navigating through a user-friendly interface and dashboard. Within this interface, you'll discover valuable insights regarding your uploaded images and earnings.
To commence the process of uploading photos, simply locate and click on the "Upload photos" option positioned in the top left corner of the interface. It's advisable to upload images individually as the process can be somewhat time-intensive, as elaborated below.
Upon uploading an image, you'll be directed to the primary interface where you can proceed to submit your photos for evaluation and review by the Shutterstock team. Ensuring you furnish all requisite information and details about each image during this phase is crucial for success.
5. Enhance the image details to improve its appeal for selling
When you're uploading photos, ensuring accurate details to optimise your earnings when selling images on Shutterstock is crucial. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Determine the file type: decide whether your upload is a photograph or an illustration.
2. Specify the intended usage of the image:
- Editorial: Use for images unsuitable for advertising or promoting specific products. Ideal for public spaces or if you lack permission to feature individuals or specific items. For further assistance on Editorial use, consult the guide at: "Please use the following link to submit a support request to Shutterstock: support. submit. Shutterstock".
- Commercial: For all other types of images.
3. Craft a descriptive summary for the image. Incorporate keywords that precisely depict the content (Further discussion on keywords will follow).
4. Select the appropriate category for your photo. You can choose up to two categories from options such as wildlife, landmarks, food, education, people, and more.
6. Getting permission to publish, the Release
When you're behind the lens, it's vital to consider permissions in specific scenarios. Permission to Release, commonly known as a Release on Shutterstock, establishes an understanding between you and the subjects or properties showcased in your photos, affirming their consent to be depicted in your visuals.
On Shutterstock, three main types of permissions are essential for sharing images:
1. Model release: If an individual features prominently in your photo, you must submit a model release to Shutterstock, obtaining their consent before selling the images.
2. Minor release: Similar to a model release, this specifically pertains to capturing images of individuals under 18 years old
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3. Property release: Less common, this is required only when photographing privately owned and protected properties.
If obtaining consent to publish photos of people's faces or private property proves challenging, consider selecting the Editorial option for those images. This was highlighted in point 4 of the section detailing the addition of image information.
7. The crucial role played by specific words or phrases.
Adding descriptive keywords to your images on Shutterstock is vital for attracting potential customers. When individuals use Shutterstock's search engine to find specific images, their photos have the opportunity to appear in the search results and potentially be purchased.
Shutterstock's search engine assists customers in discovering images that align with their requirements. For instance, if someone seeks pictures of families, they would enter "Family" in the search bar and be presented with relevant images.
To enhance the visibility of your photos, it's essential to incorporate pertinent keywords. This enables customers to easily locate and purchase your images. It's advisable to refrain from using irrelevant keywords as they offer no assistance.
Shutterstock now provides a feature called "Keyword suggestions," which utilizes artificial intelligence to propose relevant keywords for your images.
It's recommended to include approximately 10-15 keywords for each photo you upload to Shutterstock, as this enhances its discoverability.
8. Send your photos for review and evaluations
Once you've provided all necessary image details, you can submit your photo for assessment by the Shutterstock team. Typically, this evaluation process lasts between 2 to 5 days.
Upon approval, you can begin your journey of selling photos on Shutterstock. However, if your submission does not meet the platform's guidelines, you will be notified of the reasons for rejection.
Shutterstock will send you a confirmation email once your photo has been reviewed, followed by another email containing the final decision. During evaluation, factors such as lighting, quality, focus, and the appropriateness of titles and keywords will be taken into account. It's essential to adhere to the site's specifications, as images violating intellectual property rights will not be accepted.
Furthermore, photographers have the opportunity to participate in Photography Competitions to win cash prizes.
What is the income potential from selling photographs on Shutterstock?
Making money on Shutterstock isn't as simple as just uploading your photos; you only earn income when your photos are bought. The amount you make per sale depends on how many photos you sell and the percentage you're entitled to from each sale.
As a Shutterstock contributor, you receive a portion of the sale price for every photo sold through the platform. This percentage varies depending on your level, which is determined by your yearly sales volume.
There are six contributor levels on Shutterstock, each offering a different percentage of earnings per photo:
- Level 1: Up to 100 photos sold annually (15% earnings per photo)
- Level 2: 101 to 250 photos sold annually (20% earnings per photo)
- Level 3: 251 to 500 photos sold annually (25% earnings per photo)
- Level 4: 501 to 2,500 photos sold annually (30% earnings per photo)
- Level 5: 2,501 to 25,000 photos sold annually (35% earnings per photo)
- Level 6: More than 25,000 photos sold annually (40% earnings per photo)
Your profit percentage increases as you sell more photos. The minimum profit you'll earn from a sale is 15%, while the maximum is 40%.
It's essential to note that your profit level resets to 15% at the beginning of each year, regardless of your previous level. For example, to reach a 30% profit level, you'll need to have between 501 and 2,500 of your images purchased within one year.
Getting your money from Shutterstock earnings
Shutterstock offers photographers flexibility in accessing their earnings.
Photographers have the option to withdraw their earnings monthly, spanning from the 7th to the 15th of each month. They can choose between PayPal, Skrill, or Payoneer for withdrawals. However, it is necessary to have a minimum of $35 in earnings before funds can be transferred.
If the earnings fail to meet the minimum threshold within a specific period, they will remain in the contributor account until they accumulate $35 or more in the future.
Monitoring earnings is straightforward with the Shutterstock dashboard. It allows users to track earnings from each photo, identify top-selling images, observe geographic locations of purchases, and access other useful statistics.
Selling Enhanced photos makes more money than selling standard ones
Making money from selling Enhanced photos is better than selling standard ones on Shutterstock. They have two types of licenses: Standard and Enhanced. Standard is for things like websites and blogs, but not ads. Enhanced is for ads, and it pays more.
So, if you pick the Commercial option when adding photos for sale, it gets licensed as Enhanced, meaning it can be used in ads. But remember, there are rules for Commercial photos, like getting permission to show people or private property in them.
Additional suggestions to enhance your income when selling photos on Shutterstock:
1. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on uploading high-quality images rather than flooding the platform with mediocre ones. Exceptional photos tend to attract more buyers and generate higher revenue.
2. Diverse Portfolio: Build a diverse portfolio that covers various themes, styles, and subjects. This broadens your appeal to a wider range of customers and increases your chances of making sales.
3. Keyword Optimization: Use relevant and descriptive keywords when tagging your photos. This helps potential buyers find your images more easily through search queries, leading to more views and potential sales.
4. Stay Updated with Trends: Keep an eye on current trends and popular topics to capitalize on market demands. Trending subjects often attract more attention and can result in increased sales.
5. Regular Uploads: Consistently upload new content to keep your portfolio fresh and engaging. Regular updates signal to customers that you're active and invested in your work, encouraging them to revisit your profile for new offerings.
6. Engage with the Community: Participate in Shutterstock's community forums, discussions, and events. Networking with fellow photographers can provide valuable insights, tips, and support to improve your sales strategies.
7. Optimize Pricing Strategy: Experiment with different pricing options to find the sweet spot for maximizing revenue. Consider factors such as image quality, uniqueness, and market demand when setting prices for your photos.
8. Promote Your Work: Utilize social media platforms, personal websites, and blogs to promote your Shutterstock portfolio. Sharing your best work with a broader audience can attract potential buyers and drive traffic to your portfolio.
9. Customer Feedback: Pay attention to customer feedback and reviews to understand what resonates with buyers and what areas you can improve upon. Incorporating constructive criticism can help refine your skills and increase sales in the long run.
10. Stay Compliant with Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with Shutterstock's guidelines and policies to ensure compliance with their terms of service. Violations can result in account suspension or removal of your content, impacting your revenue stream.