- How selling photos on Shutterstock works
- Shutterstock photo requirements before you upload
- Uploading and submitting photos to Shutterstock
- How much Shutterstock pays contributors
- When and how Shutterstock pays you
- Shutterstock contributor pay at a glance
- Tips to sell more photos on Shutterstock
- Other ways photographers earn from their pictures
- Frequently asked questions
To sell photos on Shutterstock, join as a contributor, upload JPEG or TIFF images of at least 4 megapixels, add titles, keywords, categories and any model or property releases, then submit them for review. Approved photos earn a percentage of each licence sale, between 15% and 40% depending on your earnings level, paid monthly once you reach your chosen minimum.
Selling stock photos is one of the few side incomes where your back catalogue keeps working for you. Shutterstock's contributor help pages are clear about how it works, so I've turned them into a step-by-step guide covering uploading, getting approved, how contributors are paid and the small print that catches new sellers out.
How selling photos on Shutterstock works
Shutterstock licenses your images to its customers. You keep the copyright, and each time someone downloads one of your photos under a licence, you earn a percentage of that sale. You don't set prices: what the customer pays depends on the plan they used, and your cut depends on your contributor level at the time of the download.
Shutterstock photo requirements before you upload
Shutterstock accepts JPEG and TIFF files that are at least 4 megapixels. Megapixels are about pixel dimensions, not file size, so check your export settings if an image you think is big enough gets rejected; some editing apps shrink images when they save them.
Beyond the file itself, think about what's in the frame:
- People. Shutterstock says commercial content with recognisable people needs a model release for each person, even if that person is you.
- Property. Recognisable private property, artwork or buildings may need a property release.
- Logos and brands. Keep trademarks out of commercial shots, or you'll limit how the image can be used.
Uploading and submitting photos to Shutterstock
- Join as a contributor. Sign up on Shutterstock's contributor site and complete the identity and profile steps it asks for.
- Upload. Shutterstock says you can use the Upload button on your Contributor dashboard, FTP or FTPS, or the Contributor mobile app.
- Add your details. You must add a title (description), keywords and categories to each image before submitting it for review.
- Attach releases. Releases can only be attached at the submission stage. Upload each one separately; Shutterstock says releases can't be combined.
- Submit for review. Shutterstock's reviewers decide whether each image is accepted into the collection.
Your titles and keywords are your shop sign. Write them the way a buyer would search: what's in the picture, where it is, the mood and the obvious use. A photo of a laptop on a kitchen table might be found by someone searching for working from home, remote work or a home office, so cover those angles honestly.
How much Shutterstock pays contributors
Shutterstock says there are 6 separate earnings levels for images and for videos, ranging from 15% up to 40% of the sale price. You move up through image levels and video levels independently, based on how many downloads you have in each category, and you can see your current level on your Dashboard.
Two rules shape what you'll see in practice. First, levels for all contributors reset to level 1 on January 1st of each year, so your percentage drops back at the start of every year and climbs again with downloads. Second, Shutterstock says some downloads pay 0.10 US dollars whatever your level. That happens when your percentage of a cheap licence comes to less than ten cents; in a large subscription pack a customer can pay as little as 0.20 to 0.30 US dollars per download.
That's why Shutterstock is a volume game. A single photo rarely pays much, but a large, well-keyworded portfolio of images people need can add up over time. Shutterstock doesn't publish an average contributor income, so ignore anyone who promises a set amount per month.
When and how Shutterstock pays you
Shutterstock says earnings are calculated automatically at the beginning of each month and payments are issued by the 15th, provided you've reached the minimum amount you set in your account settings. It currently pays through Payoneer, PayPal and Skrill.
Before your first payment, check two things:
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- Tax form. Shutterstock says contributors in the United States and elsewhere must have an approved tax form on file to be paid.
- Waiting period. Contributors from certain countries face a 90-day waiting period before payment.
Shutterstock can tell you which forms it needs, but not what you owe. For that, speak to an accountant or your own tax office.
Shutterstock contributor pay at a glance
| What | How it works | Source checked |
|---|---|---|
| File type and size | JPEG or TIFF, at least 4 megapixels | Shutterstock contributor help |
| Your share | 15% to 40% across 6 levels | Shutterstock contributor help |
| Level reset | Back to level 1 on January 1st | Shutterstock contributor help |
| Lowest payment per download | 0.10 US dollars | Shutterstock contributor help |
| Payment date | Issued by the 15th of each month | Shutterstock contributor help |
| Payout methods | Payoneer, PayPal or Skrill | Shutterstock contributor help |
Tips to sell more photos on Shutterstock
- Shoot what buyers need. Everyday business, food, health, travel and seasonal scenes get used again and again.
- Leave space. Designers love images with clean space for a headline.
- Upload regularly. Because levels reset each year, a steady flow of new images helps you climb back up.
- Keyword with care. Accurate, specific keywords beat long lists of loosely related words.
- Keep your releases organised. Missing releases are an easy reason for a rejection.
Other ways photographers earn from their pictures
Stock works best as one stream among several. Many photographers also sell presets, guides and print files directly, which you can read about in my guide to creating digital products that sell while you sleep. Others take on freelance shoots or editing work, and my round-up of fun careers that pay well includes creative roles like these.
Finally, be wary of anyone charging you to get into stock agencies or promising a monthly income from photos. My guide to avoiding online money scams explains the warning signs.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to sell photos on Shutterstock?
Shutterstock's contributor help pages describe how you earn a share of each licence; they don't describe any joining charge. You'll need an approved tax form before you're paid.
How much does Shutterstock pay contributors?
Shutterstock says contributors earn 15% to 40% of the sale price across 6 earnings levels, with a minimum of 0.10 US dollars for some downloads.
What size do photos need to be for Shutterstock?
Shutterstock accepts JPEG and TIFF files that are at least 4 megapixels in size.
When does Shutterstock pay?
Earnings are calculated at the start of each month and paid by the 15th once you reach the minimum amount set in your account, through Payoneer, PayPal or Skrill.
Do I need a model release for Shutterstock?
Yes for commercial images with recognisable people. Shutterstock says you need a release for each recognisable person, even if that person is you.
