Start Stock Photography | Earn 15% to 45% of sale

Love capturing moments through your lens? Turn your passion for photography into a profitable home-based career by becoming a stock photographer!

Make money selling stock images online as a stock photographer.

Whether you’re an experienced photographer or a hobbyist, stock photography offers an exciting opportunity to monetize your creativity by selling images online to businesses, marketers, and creators worldwide.

What Is Stock Photography?

Stock photography refers to high-quality, ready-to-use images that are licensed for specific purposes. These photos are available on stock photography websites and are used by marketers, advertisers, website owners, graphic designers, and businesses to enhance their digital content, advertisements, and publications.

Stock photos cover a wide variety of themes, such as:

• Nature and landscapes
• Business and technology
• Food and lifestyle
• People and emotions
• Abstract concepts

These images are sold with licenses for specific uses (such as personal, editorial, or commercial), allowing buyers to access high-quality visuals without hiring a photographer for custom shoots.

What Is a Stock Photographer?

A stock photographer is someone who takes photos and uploads them to stock photography platforms where they can be licensed and sold to individuals or businesses. Stock photographers typically produce images that appeal to a wide audience and are relevant to current trends or evergreen themes. Once uploaded, your photos can be purchased by many different clients multiple times, earning you ongoing income.

Stock photographers often contribute to platforms like:

• Shutterstock
• Adobe Stock
• iStock by Getty Images
• Alamy
• Pond5

By consistently uploading quality images that meet the needs of stock photography buyers, photographers can generate passive income as their photos get licensed repeatedly over time.

Who Is a Stock Photographer Career For?

A career in stock photography is perfect for individuals who:

• Have a passion for photography: If you enjoy taking photos and have a keen eye for detail, stock photography allows you to turn your hobby into a business.
• Are creative and versatile: The more diverse and creative your portfolio, the better your chances of selling photos. If you can capture unique and in-demand images, stock photography is for you.
• Want a flexible, home-based career: Stock photographers work on their own schedules, taking and uploading photos at their convenience. It’s a great career for people seeking flexibility.
• Have some technical skills: Knowing how to edit photos and optimize them for stock photography websites is crucial to making your work stand out.
• Love experimenting with different subjects: Stock photographers can explore various genres, from product photography and portraits to nature and abstract images.

This career is ideal for photographers of all skill levels, whether you’re just starting or a seasoned professional. It’s also suitable for those seeking passive income, as photos can continue to earn money long after they’ve been uploaded.

How Much Can You Make?

A Stock Photographer Job Pays: 15% to 45% of every image sold

Earnings in stock photography vary widely based on factors such as image quality, niche selection, platform usage, and volume. Here’s a breakdown of potential earnings:

1. Per Image Sale:
   • Most stock photography websites offer royalty-based compensation, meaning photographers earn a percentage of each sale or download.
   • Typically, photographers earn $0.25 to $2.50 per image download, depending on the platform and licensing terms.
2. Passive Income Potential:
   • A single photo can be sold hundreds or even thousands of times if it becomes popular. Over time, a well-curated portfolio could generate $500 to $1,000+ per month in passive income.
3. Experienced Photographers:
   • Professional stock photographers with extensive portfolios may earn between $2,000 and $10,000+ per month, especially if they consistently upload in-demand images across multiple platforms.
4. Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive:
   • Some platforms offer exclusive rights to your images, which typically means higher payouts but restricts you from selling the same image elsewhere.
   • Non-exclusive arrangements allow you to sell the same image on multiple platforms, broadening your reach but possibly earning lower royalties per site.

While stock photography is unlikely to make you rich overnight, a steady commitment to building a portfolio can lead to significant passive income over time. By understanding market demand and continually producing high-quality content, stock photographers can enjoy a sustainable income stream.

Where to Sell Stock Photographs

1. Shutterstock

Shutterstock is one of the world’s largest and most trusted stock photography platforms, boasting over 1 billion image downloads. Photographers from all over the world can submit their work and earn royalties every time an image is licensed.

Payouts:

Earn 15% to 40% of the image price, depending on your contributor level and sales volume. Top earners can make $500 to $5,000+ per month.

Requirements:

• High-quality photos (JPG format, at least 4 MP resolution)
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Releases required for recognizable people or properties

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Sign up at Shutterstock Contributor
2. Upload a few sample images for review
3. Once approved, start uploading and tagging your work
4. Earn royalties each time your uploaded photos are licensed

2. Adobe Stock

Adobe Stock integrates directly with Creative Cloud apps, making it a favorite among designers and editors. As a contributor, your photos will be featured in Adobe’s massive marketplace, giving you global exposure and high-quality clients.

Payouts:

Earn 33% commission for photos and illustrations. Payments are issued once you reach $25 via PayPal or Skrill.

Requirements:

• Must be 18+
• Photos must be high resolution and well-tagged
• Model/property releases required when applicable

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Create an account at Adobe Stock Contributor
2. Upload high-resolution photos
3. Add titles, keywords, and necessary releases
4. Submit and get paid as your images are downloaded

3. iStock by Getty Images

iStock, owned by Getty Images, is one of the most prestigious stock photography platforms in the world. It’s known for high standards and quality, making it perfect for serious photographers seeking global exposure.

Payouts:

Earn 15%–45% royalties depending on licensing and exclusivity. Top contributors can make four to five figures monthly.

Requirements:

• Must pass a quality review process
• Exclusive contributors earn higher rates
• Releases required for identifiable subjects

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Apply at iStock Contributor Portal
2. Submit sample work for review
3. Once approved, upload and manage your portfolio
4. Get paid monthly as downloads increase

4. Alamy

Alamy is a UK-based stock photo agency known for its generous royalty splits and acceptance of a wide variety of content—from artistic to editorial. It’s great for both amateur and professional photographers.

Payouts:

Earn 40% commission (or 50% if you’re exclusive). Payments made via PayPal or bank transfer once you reach $50.

Requirements:

• High-resolution images (JPEG, min. 17MB uncompressed)
• Editorial and creative content accepted
• Must be 18+

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Sign up at Alamy Contributor Page
2. Upload 3 sample photos for quality check
3. Once approved, upload your portfolio
4. Earn royalties as your photos are licensed

5. Dreamstime

Dreamstime is a user-friendly platform offering both stock photos and editorial images. It’s popular among beginners and part-time contributors, offering simple upload processes and decent earning potential.

Payouts:

Earn 25% to 50% royalty (up to 60% for exclusive contributors). Payout threshold is $100, paid via PayPal, Payoneer, or Skrill.

Requirements:

• High-quality images, free of watermarks
• Releases for recognizable people or property
• Minimum size: 3MP

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Register at Dreamstime Contributor
2. Submit initial images for approval
3. Once accepted, upload consistently
4. Track performance and receive monthly payments

6. 123RF

123RF offers a solid global marketplace for photographers looking to reach new audiences. It’s beginner-friendly and offers a variety of tools to track your earnings and manage your portfolio.

Payouts:

Royalties range from 30% to 60%, depending on exclusivity and total downloads.

Requirements:

• Photos must meet quality and size standards
• Releases required for identifiable subjects
• No exclusive content requirement

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Join via 123RF Contributor Portal
2. Upload sample images
3. Submit model/property releases when needed
4. Start earning as your content is downloaded

7. EyeEm (Partnered with Getty)

EyeEm is a mobile-friendly stock photo platform that partners with Getty Images and other agencies, helping you sell your photos across multiple marketplaces. Great for mobile photographers and creators with a modern aesthetic.

Payouts:

Photographers earn 50% of the image license fee. Payments are made once you reach $20.

Requirements:

• High-quality, creative images
• Works best for lifestyle, street, and mobile photography
• Releases required for recognizable people

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Signup to EyeEm
2. Upload your images and tag them
3. Get featured in the marketplace (selected photos are submitted to Getty)
4. Earn royalties from every sale

With just a camera, internet access, and a creative eye, you can build a remote photography business from home and generate passive income for years to come. Whether you specialize in portraits, travel, nature, or niche themes, these platforms give you the tools to earn from your passion.