The Pros and Cons of Selling Your Photos On Shutterstock
Are you a creative professional looking to turn your work into passive income? Shutterstock offers an exceptional platform for photographers, videographers, and illustrators to monetize their art as contributors. But is this the right platform for you? Let's delve into the details of contributing to Shutterstock, including how you can get started, their payment structure, and the advantages and disadvantages of joining this renowned stock media marketplace.
How to Contribute to Shutterstock
Becoming a contributor is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can get started:
- Sign Up for an Account: Visit the Shutterstock Contributor website and sign up by providing basic details like your name, email, and country of residence.
- Submit Work for Review: Share your creative work, whether it's photography, videos, or vector illustrations. Your submissions must align with their quality and content guidelines..
- Build Your Portfolio: Once approved, you can submit more photos to enhance your portfolio. Utilize keywords and descriptions to optimize your images for better search visibility.
- Earn Royalties: As a contributor to Shutterstock, you have the opportunity to earn royalties when customers download your photos. This means that for every photo of yours that is downloaded, you will receive payment based on Shutterstock's payment structure. It's an exciting way to monetize your photography and make money from your creative work.
Shutterstock's platform is designed with contributors in mind, offering valuable resources to enhance their submissions and boost earnings. To learn more about the platform, check out our Shutterstock review.
Essential Tips for Taking and Selecting Images to Contribute
To succeed as a contributor, do focus on creating content that stands out and appeals to a wide audience. Here are some tips:
- Optimize Keywords and Titles: Use relevant and specific keywords to make your images easier to find.
- Focus on High Quality: Use a good camera and proper lighting to ensure your images are sharp and well-composed.
- Research Trends: Look into what types of images are currently in demand. Shutterstock will provide trend reports and insights to help you.
- Diversify Your Portfolio: Include a variety of subjects, styles, and categories in your portfolio to attract a broader audience.
- Pay Attention to Details: Avoid including logos, recognizable faces without releases, or other elements that may lead to rejection.
Here are more tips to take the best stock photos!
Shutterstock’s Payment Structure
Shutterstock pays their contributors through a tiered royalty system based on lifetime earnings from their portfolio. Here’s how the payment structure and approval process for shutterstock contributors
Yearly Earnings Tiers:
| Level | Number of Image Licenses This Calendar Year | You Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Up to 100 | 15% |
| Level 2 | 101 to 250 | 20% |
| Level 3 | 251 to 500 | 25% |
| Level 4 | 501 to 2,500 | 30% |
| Level 5 | 2,501 to 25,000 | 35% |
| Level 6 | Over 25,000 | 40% |
At the beginning of each year, contributors start fresh at Level 1, offering an opportunity to reassess and optimize your portfolio strategy. Shutterstock requires a $35 minimum balance for payments to be issued, which are processed monthly via convenient methods like PayPal, Payoneer, or Skrill. Contributors also have the potential to earn more through enhanced licenses and custom content projects, which come with higher royalty rates. To have a clearer idea of your earning potential, here's a breakdown of the agency's pricing.
While the initial royalty percentages may appear modest compared to some platforms, Shutterstock’s extensive global customer base significantly increases the likelihood of frequent downloads, helping you boost overall earnings steadily.
Technical Requirments
Shutterstocks review team do have some quality standards that must be followed, so your photo submissions should meet the following guidelines to be considered.
- JPEG format is preferred, but TIFF and EPS are accepted—EPS must be compatible with Adobe Illustrator 8 or 10.
- sRGB color profile. Convert pictures to sRGB before submission to avoid color alterations.
- Image size must be 4 MP or larger, set to highest quality settings. EPS files have a 25 MP limit.
- Photos must be post-processed to eliminate noise, correct lighting/colors, and ensure sharpness.
Legal Requirments:
Along with some technical requirments, Shutterstock also follow some legal requirments that you must meet in order to contribute.
- You must be 18 years or older
- Be able to accept payment via PayPal, Skrill or Payoneer
- For commercial licensing of images that contain recognizable people or private property, a release must be provided
- Tax forms must be completed.
Shutterstock will provide templates of these varying documents, but do keep in mind that compliance is mandatory.
Pros of Contributing
- Wide Audience Reach: With millions of customers worldwide, Shutterstock provides unparalleled exposure for your work. This massive user base increases the chances of your content being downloaded frequently.
- Passive Income Opportunity: Once your portfolio is live, your work can generate income 24/7. This is ideal for creatives looking to diversify their revenue streams.
- User-Friendly Platform: Shutterstock’s intuitive interface and detailed contributor resources make it easy to upload and manage your portfolio.
- Diverse Content Opportunities: Shutterstock accepts various types of content, including photos, videos, illustrations, and even music. This versatility allows creators to showcase their unique talents.
- Support and Insights: Contributors have access to performance analytics, helping them understand what content performs well. This data can guide future uploads and improve earnings.
Challenges of Contributing
- Low Initial Royalties: Shutterstock’s tiered royalty system starts at 15%, which is modest. However, consistent uploads and growing your portfolio can help you move up the tiers over time.
- Submission Guidelines: Shutterstock has high-quality and content standards. While this ensures professional-grade content for customers, it may require contributors to refine their skills and submissions.
- High Competition: With millions of contributors, standing out can be a challenge. Strategic keyword use and uploading unique, in-demand content can improve your visibility.
- Fixed Pricing: Contributors cannot set their own prices, as Shutterstock determines the download rates. However, this standardized pricing appeals to a broad customer base.
- Volume is Key: Success often depends on building a robust portfolio with varied and high-quality content to attract more downloads.
Tips to Maximize Your Audience Reach
- Use Relevant Keywords: Ensure your titles, descriptions, and tags include popular search terms to make your content easier to find.
- Follow Seasonal Trends: Upload images that match current events, holidays, or seasonal themes to capture timely interest.
- Promote Your Portfolio: Share your Shutterstock portfolio on social media or your website to drive traffic and increase downloads.
- Engage with Shutterstock’s Resources: Use their guides, webinars, and performance analytics to stay informed and optimize your content.
Final Thoughts: Is Shutterstock Right for You?
Shutterstock is the ultimate platform for creatives looking to monetize their photography, videography, or illustrations and gain global exposure. Its vast audience reach, potential for passive income, and user-friendly interface make it a top choice for contributors. However, it's essential to understand the challenges that come with it – such as low initial earnings, strict submission guidelines, and high competition. To succeed as a Shutterstock contributor, consistency in quality content creation is key along with staying creative and being aware of market trends.
If you're ready to dedicate the time and effort to building a strong portfolio, Shutterstock can provide a fulfilling opportunity for showcasing your talent and earning money from your creative passion. By carefully considering the advantages and challenges, you can confidently decide if becoming a contributor on Shutterstock aligns with your goals.
I would like to know how many active contributors there are right now on Shutterstock, and the all-time number of downloads collected on the platform
Hi Damiano. According to the company, Shutterstock currently has around 2 million contributors worldwide. The last report on the total number of files downloaded is from 2018, when they surpassed the 1 Billion downloads mark. Considering their annual growth, one could educatedly guess it must be at least 2x-3x that number at this point.
If you’re interested in more metrics about the agency, you might like to read our Shutterstock Statistics report.
Which types of photos does shuttlestock contributor needs
Hi Joseph, Shutterstock periodically shares the type of images that are in demand on their “Shot List” that you can check here.
Hope this helps!
What does it mean when Shutterstock says your photo has been approved for data licensing?
Hi Carol, that message means that your image was approved to be used in datasets to train AI models developed by Shutterstock. This also implies you would be entering the new Contributor Fund, a program that compensates artists for the use of their work in AI training and AI image generation.
Hope this helps!
What to know more about “Eligible for data licensing” (after review) in Shutterstock, what does it mean and how is it different from image status as “Approved”?
Hello Vaisakh, “data licensing” refers to the possibility of using the images to train AI models. Since this year, Shutterstock is developing AI photo tools (like an AI image generator) and they also have partnerships with AI developing companies. They have a Contributor Fund, a program where you get monetary compensation for every time your work is used in AI training or AI image generation at Shutterstock. We are not Shutterstock representatives so this answer is for orientation only and you would need to contact them directly to confirm, but it would seem that your image(s) might not be approved for the stock photo catalog, but they were approved for AI training and you might need to decide whether you want to agree to that usage or not.
Hope this helps!
I want to know that if i use any picture in my facebook page, will I be able to upload the picture in the Shutterstock?
Hello there, quick disclaimer that we are not Shutterstock representatives so our answers are for orientation only. That said, Shutterstock’s contributor agreement is non-exclusive, so having used the photos on Facebook before is not an impediment to submit them to the agency.
Hope this helps!
I need to join as Contributer
Thank you for your comment. I recommend to simply join the program via the link.
I’m thinking of uploading original all over print patterns on Shutterstock. How can I do this? How will I get paid if my print/prints are downloaded?
Sure! To begin as a Shutterstock Contributor, you’ll start by creating an account. Upon successful creation, you’ll be required to submit samples of your work for review. Once approved, you can then upload your all-over print patterns for customers to download.
Payment comes in the form of royalties, which are respective of each time someone downloads your patterns. This rate ranges between 15% and 40% of the sale price. You’ll receive payments monthly through PayPal or other online money transfer methods when your earnings reach a minimum of $35.
Success on this platform is often related to patience, continually uploading quality content, and ensuring your submissions are appropriate for customer needs. Every step related to this process is explained in detail in the article above.
If your pictures are approved are they automatically listed? Can you list your pictures on other stock photo sites?
Hi Debbie. Yes, once your pictures are approved, they are made available for license on Shutterstock’s website. And yes, the standard contributor agreement is non-exclusive, meaning you can submit and sell the same pictures on other stock photo sites. Do keep in mind we are not Shutterstock representatives, so our answer is for orientation only and it’s always best to contact Shutterstock directly to confirm this information.
Hope it helps!
I take some very interesting pictures. A LOT OF THEM!!!I’d like to share them with someone other than just Facebook peeps.
Hi Angelique, there are many options of online photo communities where you can share your pictures and get feedback from other photo enthusiasts. But if you wish you can also try submitting them to Shutterstock (or other similar stock photo agency) to see if they’re accepted and then your images would not only receive more exposure but also potentially earn you a passive income. If you do the latter, do make sure to read and understand the contributor agreement terms, the licensing terms that would apply to your images, and especially read the section of our article above where we talk about having realistic expectations.
Hope this helps!
I want to join Shutterstock as a contributor but dont want to use PayPal as a payment gateway. What are other means of payment methods Shutterstock has.
Hi Hetal, Shutterstock issues payments for contributors via PayPal, Payoneer and Skrill. You can choose between those platforms. Hope this helps!
Really insightful
Thank you, Keerthana, we are glad you like our article!
When a contributor submits a photo image for commercial licensing, does your editorial staff determine if the image requires a property or model release? If it does, do they automatically send it to editorial licensing?
Hi Suzanne. We need to first clarify that we are not Shutterstock and we do not represent them. This article is our review of the Shutterstock Contributor program. For final answers we recommend you to contact Shutterstock directly.
That said, and as far as we understand, the submission system at Shutterstock (and most other stock agencies) leaves it up to you to provide model and/or property releases or not. If you submit images with recognizable people, private property or trademarks, and you want them to be considered for commercial licensing, then you must attach the pertaining releases to your submission. If you don’t, then the reviewers will only consider it for editorial licensing. In both cases, they’ll then apply the correspondent reviewing criteria to approve or reject the image.
Hope this helps!
When a contributor submits a photo image for commercial licensing, does the editorial staff determine if the image requires a property or model release? If it does, and none exists, do they automatically send it to editorial licensing? I understand the strict rules regarding recognizable faces and commercial storefronts with logo signs; but many images fall somewhere in the middle. Example: public crowds, city scenes where many buildings have signs.
Hi Suzan, It seems there might be a slight misunderstanding regarding their role and the processing of images for commercial licensing.
Just because a model or property release is not submitted does not mean that your image will automatically be categorized as editorial. Generally, stock agencies, which manage these processes, do perform checks to ensure all necessary documentation is in place, but the onus is largely on contributors to provide these at the time of image submission. Editorial images often require special agreements and clearances, and it should not be assumed that images will be shifted to this category in the absence of required releases.
We strongly recommend ensuring that you upload any necessary model or property releases with your images to avoid any delays or issues in the licensing process. The stock agency should also check these and remind you if anything is missing, aiding in ensuring all legal and ethical standards are met.
Kindly note that these processes and standards are generally spoken only and can vary from stock agency to stock agency.
I am curious to know what you have to do to get started
Hi Tammy, as our article says, all you need to do to get started is to sign up on the Shutterstock Contributor portal and submit a batch of images. If they approve them you’ll become a contributor and can continue submitting images to be sold on the agency. More info on what type of images to submit and what requirements you should meet are also in our article, as well as on the Shutterstock Contributor’s guidelines and blog. Hope this helps!
What is shutterstock?and how to earn money on shutterstock
Hi Fazal, I recommend reading the article.
Who sets the selling price of the stock image
Shutterstock, of course, sets the price for their images.
Hi Ivanna Attie,
I have a question.Can I sell a photo on other stock sites including Shutterstock? Want to sell a photo on another site, is it possible?
Yes, you can.
How do I get started and what do I need?
I recommend reading the article to know how to get started.
Eligible for data licensing is that good or not
Hi Tanjila, “eligible for data licensing” means you can opt in to the Contributor Fund for AI training in Shutterstock. Meaning you would get paid a a percentage from the contract for the use of your images and their metadata in training datasets for generative AI models Shutterstock has partnerships with. Whether that is good or not, is entirely subjective, depends on your wishes. We recommend you check the latest information on the Contributor Fund for data licensing here, and contact Shutterstock directly for more information to help you make a decision.
Hope this helps!
Hello, Miten
I am a 3D artist for character design, I share my work in 3D with a PSD file, how much money can I make at a per download price in 3D character element
Hi Miten, first of all we are not Shutterstock representatives nor lawyers, our responses are for orientation only. That said, at Shutterstock you earn a percentage for every sale. How much this percentage is depends on your level as a contributor –which improves the more you sell– and how much money that represents depends on the selling price of the items, which varies depending on if it was sold via subscription or on-demand. We cannot tell you exactly how much the per download price would be, this is something you should ask Shutterstock directly, but again, the per-download earnings may vary even for the same item, each time.
Hope this helps a bit!
How can I contact a contributor?
Hi Syed, when you click on any image on Shutterstock, you can see the name of the contributor below the image. If you click on the name, you are taken to that artist’s portfolio on Shutterstock. On top of the portfolio page you can see their name, a brief description of them or their work, and below it a list of social channel icons (Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc). You can click on those, if available, to contact the artist on those platforms.
Hope this helps.
Getting more on the most
I want to start selling pictures to stock.