How to Sell Photos on Microstock Websites: An Introducting to earning money with Microsotck Photography

Photography is everywhere, and almost everybody is walking around with a high quality camera. There's lots of ways to generate and monitize content these days, but if your passion is photography and not videos or social influencing then TikTok and YouTube aren't going to work. But don't worry, you can sell your photos online! Microstock Photography is when you sell limited usage rights to your photos online. Sales per photo are generally small ranging from 5-50 cents for most downloads, but it can be more with Extended Licences and popular photos can get many thousands of downloads. Even in the A.I. image generation days there's demand for real human taken photos.

All you need to get started is a good camera and internet. The iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 8 Pro, Sony Xperia 1 V all have great cameras, but most modern phones will work.

Join us as we explore how to navigate this exciting opportunity and make the most of your creative talents.

Getting Started with ShutterStock

Step 1: Sign up for a Shutterstock Contributor Account

Go to the Shutterstock website and sign up for a contributor account. Provide the required information and follow the registration process.

Step 2: Prepare Your Images

Before you start uploading your images, make sure they meet Shutterstock's requirements. Images should be high-quality, well-composed, and properly edited. They should also be relevant and appealing to potential buyers.

Step 3: Upload Your Images

Once you have prepared your images, log in to your Shutterstock contributor account and navigate to the upload section. Follow the instructions to upload your images. Make sure to add appropriate titles, descriptions, and relevant keywords to increase the visibility of your images.

Step 4: Wait for Approval

After uploading your images, Shutterstock will review them to ensure they meet their quality standards. This process may take some time, so be patient. If your images are approved, they will be available for customers to purchase.

Step 5: Earn Money from Image Sales

Once your images are available on Shutterstock, customers can purchase them for various uses, such as websites, advertisements, or publications. Whenever a customer downloads your image, you earn a royalty fee based on your earnings tier and the license type.

Step 6: Promote Your Portfolio

To increase your chances of selling images, promote your portfolio through various channels. Utilize social media platforms, personal websites or blogs, and engage with the Shutterstock community. Building a strong online presence can attract more potential buyers to your images.

Step 7: Keep Uploading and Improving

Consistently upload new images to your Shutterstock portfolio to expand your collection and increase your earning potential. Additionally, continue to improve your photography skills and stay updated on industry trends.

Step 8: Don’t Be Discouraged by Rejections!

Look, in life, love, and business we all get rejected. Ok maybe there are a tiny number of exceptions, but expect to have images rejected for various reasons.

But don't give up! Keep trying! It took me several attempts to get accepted. I know people who took more than 10 submissions to get in but are now getting pretty decent sales. The most important thing in microstock photography is to keep taking pictures! Keep submitting them! Keep improving! If you stick at it, you will eventually get accepted, and you will start making money!