The Ultimate Sell Your Pictures Longlist
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The ultimate sell your pictures longlist is all about selling photos, illustrations, and video footage online. I believe that this may be one of the best side hustles there is. And I hear you thinking: “But how do you sell your images and footage? I’m not a photographer!”.
Well, keep reading. I’ll come to that in a minute while explaining why I am so excited about this gig.
It is Fun
Serious. Creating (yes, it is a creative process) the perfect picture, illustration, or video is something almost all of us do all the time.
We snapshot our friends, our travels, our family, the dog, our food, and of course, ourselves all the time. I cannot believe that we are all doing this without liking it.
But that doesn’t make us photographers.
Wrong. It does not make us trained, skilled, or experienced photographers. But we are engaged in the process, and apparently, we do like it. That is a great place for one to start improving and learning what is needed.
For illustrators, this may even be more true. You don’t draw unless you like it (in general).
You Keep Improving
I like to learn. Not the theoretical, lecture version, but learning by doing.
When it comes to photography (please forgive me for not repeating illustrating, or capturing footage all the time), I know that a lot of you like this too.
We try to recreate a picture we saw. We try to avoid cut-off heads, blinding backlights, and maybe we even try to improve our composition once in a while.
Have you ever watched a video tutorial about photography? Googled the rule of thirds? Read an article about shutter speed?
You are on your way to becoming a better photographer!
You Can Start as an Amateur
There is no need to become a pro before you start. You don’t even need expensive equipment. I have seen teenagers blasting away pros with just a simple point-and-click camera.
I know that many photo stock sites have a tight quality acceptance policy, which might prevent you from selling those awesome sellable images, but you can also set up your own shop.
You might even try print-on-demand services. Those sites are not included in the ultimate sell your pictures longlist, but I will include those in another list.
Stock Site Contributor
I started with stock photography long ago with some pretty simple pictures taken with a low-end camera and some illustrations.
I invested all the income I generated with it in better equipment, software (like Adobe products), and trips to nice photo locations until I stopped being active as a stock photo contributor because I wanted to explore other interesting opportunities.
Tips
So, if you do plan to sell your images and footage to photo stock sites, then let me give you some tips:
- Put your ego aside.
You probably will get many rejections, and maybe some sites won’t accept your application (the first time). - Don’t argue. Get better.
Take the rejection reasons as something you need to work on. It doesn’t matter if they are wrong or right. You will always improve if you take those rejections as input to learn more about them. - Don’t photoshop too much.
Spend more time on improving the shot.
It is Passive Income
I love how misleading the term passive income is. Stock photography is a nice example to make clear what is passive about it.
It is hard work!
There, you have it. If you take this seriously, you will spend more time than you can imagine on preparing and creating your shoot, retouching your images, uploading, describing, and tagging them.
The ‘passive’ comes after the hard work.
My pictures are still generating income, even though I stopped contributing years ago.
How Stock Sites work
Now, some awesome websites offer high-quality material for free (we love to use Unsplash). Still, most of the images come from a couple of huge websites where people can find the perfect picture and buy the rights to use them.
If they buy one of yours, you will get a percentage, and the stock site will get a percentage.
The stock sites take care of the administration, the sales process, etcetera.
How the money is split depends on the terms of the stock site. In general, exclusive contributors earn a higher percentage, but you are bound to a single platform.
Applying
How it works is easy and fairly the same at most sites:
- Sign up as a contributor
- upload a few images or footage for review
- After becoming accepted, you can upload the rest and tag them with keywords
- As you sell your images and footage, the providing stock site will deduct their part from the sale
- You will get paid, commonly via PayPal, Skrill, Bank, or Payoneer.
The Ultimate Sell Your Pictures Longlist:
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Selling Photos Online with Shutterstock
This is legitI tried thisI like thisI made money with itWebsite: Shutterstock
Did you know that you can earn by selling photos online and that it is one of the easiest and most fun ways to make money online? You are engaging in a creative process, maybe travel, doing things you love to do, and earn money with it.
It is also a great way to create a passive income stream. Your pictures will be available for customers to purchase long after you have uploaded them.
Are you wondering how to sell pictures online and make money? Keep reading!
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Make Money Selling Images on Dreamstime
This is legitI tried thisI like thisI made money with itWebsite: Dreamstime
Selling images on Dreamstime, or stock photo sites in general is a great way to earn extra cash and start a passive income flow.
For some, it can become a full-time job; others see it as a nice side hustle or paid hobby. Nevertheless, making money with something you love to do is always worth exploring.In this post, I’ll take a closer look at Dreamstime, one of the major stock photography players that help contributors worldwide to make money selling their photography.
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123RF
This is legitI tried thisI like thisWebsite: 123RF
Since 2005 123RF has grown into a global company with quite a big amount of active users. They have over 110 million creative works (photos, vectors, footage, audio)
Your content will be available across 44 countries and with 5 million+ potential buyers, there is a fair chance that this will make you money.More about ‘123RF’ here
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Adobe Stock
This is legitI like thisWebsite: Adobe Stock
The name Adobe in Adobe Stock cannot be unfamiliar to you as they have decades of experience providing the world with all kinds of software for creating and editing multimedia. Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Lightroom, XD, you name it.
The software is offered through cloud-based programs, and a lot of them integrate Adobe Stock to provide creatives with photos and video footage.More about ‘Adobe Stock’ here
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Alamy
This is legitI tried thisWebsite: Alamy
With over 200 million stock images, vectors, videos, and even 360-degree panoramic images, Alamy is a stock photography platform that has a great attraction to both contributors as buyers.
They keep it simple and hassle-free: no subscriptions, credits, or registration. So, if you like an image, just click and buy.
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Depositphotos
Website: Depositphotos
If you have never heard of Depositphotos you should really check their website. This is a nice gem with truly nice photos and footage.
Depositphotos has been around since January 2009 and has grown a lot since then. You should take a look at their beautiful About Us page where they present their history in an impressive timeline.More about ‘Depositphotos’ here
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PICHA stock
Website: PICHA stock
PICHA stock specifically provides curated Afrocentric visuals in order to enable brands and businesses to tell richer stories that include modern Africans.
They want to bring forward the voices, faces, and stories of modern Africa in the belief that original stories can change perceptions.
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iStockPhoto
This is legitI tried thisI like thisI made money with itWebsite: iStockPhoto
As a division of Getty Images, iStock( short for iStockphoto) is one of the larger suppliers for stock photography and a great place to start if you are exploring stock photography as a side gig.
You can sell both images as video footage. The latter will pay better, but both have great potential for passive income. After uploading your material it will remain there for years. More about ‘iStockPhoto’ here
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Canva
I tried thisI like thisWebsite: Canva
There are a gazillion images that you can buy or download for free, but when it comes to that picture you need for your blog…
No problem, I hear you think; there are also hundreds of photo-editing applications available, so let’s get one.But when you start them and take a look at all the tools the user interface offers you, you feel the first signs of frustration growing in the back of your mind.
And then there was Canva!
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Etsy
This is legitWebsite: Etsy
Etsy is a platform that is focused on selling handmade items and craft supplies. They do, however, also provide shop owners with the possibility to sell digital items.
Therefore they offer a great opportunity to monetize your photos and illustrations by selling them as printables.More about ‘Etsy’ here -
miPic
Website: miPic
miPic is a platform that empowers you with print on demand product manufacturing. Basically, you sell your images as a printed product.
So they take the uploading, tagging, and reviewing part we see with a lot of stock photo sites and combine it with print-on-demand on a wide range of awesome products.More about ‘miPic’ here
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Foap
Website: Foap
Although the basic principles of selling photos and footage through Foap are the same as other classic stock photography agencies, there are a few remarkable differences. For one thing, you work with the free app to upload your material straight to Foap. More about ‘Foap’ here
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500px
Website: 500px
If you need another example of a hobby that became big business then 500px is an excellent one. Evgeny Tchebotarev started it while finishing his business degree and now this Canada based company has millions of users.
I could browse their pages for hours and hours. They have the most gorgeous images! Please check it yourself, even if you’re not a photographer.
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agefotostock
Website: agefotostock
agefotostock is an independent photo agency that has 110+ million stock images, over 500k video’s, and more than 3 million vector illustrations online.
Their contributor page has all the information you need -
Bigstock
Website: Bigstock
Bigstock is a credits-based international microstock photography website that has over 105 million images from talented photographers and illustrators all over the world.
The signup process for contributors is straight forward. Just follow the steps they describe on their signup page.
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Getty Images
Website: Getty Images
A list of sites where you can sell your photos, illustrations, and footage can not be complete without Getty Images.
To join you need to download their app, contribute sample images, and after acceptance, you can start uploading.The best thing: you will be selling on both Getty Images as on iStock!
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Fotomoto
Website: Fotomoto
Fotomoto by itself is not a website but a widget that you can use on your own website. It lets you add print-on-demand e-commerce functionality.
I just found out about Fotomoto and this brief post probably doesn’t do it justice, but I wanted to share it anyway. Make sure to come back here, and check for an update as soon as I have checked Fotomoto myself.
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Crestock
Website: Crestock
Crestock, founded in 2005, is one of the veterans when it comes to selling stock images. They do not accept editorial images, so make sure that you have model or property releases of the people or objects in your photos.
The registration is simple and common to most stock sites. Register with your email address, upload your images, tag them, and await acceptance.
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Scopio
Website: Scopio
Launched in 2016, Scopio is a fairly new player on the stock photography market. Still, their image marketplace has over 200K pictures and they are of great quality.
They love to support rising photographers across the world and make sure that their authentic images are available for creatives to power their storytelling.
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EyeEm
Website: EyeEm
At first glance, EyeEm is more of a social network for photographers. However, they have millions of images for sale, so why not yours?
With the EyeEm Missions, photographers are challenged by both EyeEm, and by brands. Sometimes there is a cash reward, sometimes you get visibility on the brands’ platform. -
Can Stock Photo
Website: Can Stock Photo
Founded in 2004, Can Stock Photo is one of the oldest microstock photography agencies. Even after all this time, they are doing great with almost 20,000 images added every day.
They offer instant downloads, credit-based, and subscription-based plans for their images and footage
As they say themselves: Can Stock Photo was founded on the basis of offering a fair-trade alternative by paying contributors fairly and treating them with mutual respect. -
Scoopshot
Website: Scoopshot
Scoopshot lets you submit images and footage straight from your phone with their mobile app (free) which will then become available in their store.
You will get a notification as your image is bought, also through the app.
Scoopshot has another business model through its in-image advertising network. If your picture is used, you will share in the advertising revenue.
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Pond5
Website: Pond5
Technically, video footage is just a bunch of pics in a sequence. This category will not be complete without Pond5. The world’s largest collection of royalty-free stock video.
However, they also offer: stock images, 3d objects, music tracks, sound effect, and much, much more -
Creative Market
Website: Creative Market
Creative Market lets you set up your own shop for selling -digital- creatives.
You can sell your images, but also illustrations, 3D objects, or even templates and designs.You can set your own price, you don’t have to go exclusive and, as it is your own shop, there is no per-product approval. Just go live with it instantly
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Zoonar
Website: Zoonar
This German Microstock agency offers an extensive amount of self-control over prices, licences and the passing on of pictures to their contributors. They also let you link your own website to pictures loaded onto the Zoonar platform!
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MostPhotos
Website: MostPhotos
With love from Stockholm. MostPhotos loves images and scenes from the real life. You can turn your environment, friends, and family into money! (Please make sure you have their consent of course)
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PicFair
Website: PicFair
Would you rather sell your own photos? Then PicFair provides you the means to set up your own shop, without you having to worry about licensing, shipping, etcetera.
As the name suggests, they think fair pricing for photographers is important, You will get 100% of what you price your pics for. -
Smugmug
Website: Smugmug
Smugmug lets you create an online portfolio with just a few clicks. They provide you with all you need to control access to your portfolio, safe storage for your images, and-so-fort.
They facilitate you in setting up shop from your portfolio.This, however, is not a free plan, but they offer so many great features for photographers that want to focus on their photos, not managing the tech.
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Yay Images
Website: Yay Images
Yay Images has a community of over 12.500 designers and artists. They have over 11 million images and vectors available.
those numbers should tell you that they have experience and they are liked by contributors.They pay a 50% commission per sale, which is very nice compared to other stock photography marketplaces.
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Stocksy
Website: Stocksy
This Canadian stock photography and video platform was founded in 2013 focuses on useful and authentic material.
Seeing your pictures presented on their beautiful website alone may even be an incentive in itself.The registration and uploading process should be familiar by now. Register with your email address, upload your best 10 images, and await acceptance as a contributor.
VectorState
Website: VectorState
Not a photographer? Not a problem! If you are more into creating sharp, slick, stunning, and awesome illustrations then VectorState is a great place to contribute.
VectorState is part of the Ingram group.To become a contributor you will have to apply on the contributor page of the Ingram Group portal.
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Snapwire
Website: Snapwire
Snapwire is more of a social platform that connects photographers with brands and businesses all around the world. Next to uploading photos to build up a portfolio, you build up points through submitting to challenges. If you have enough points you may be invited to commissioned assignments.
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ImageVortex
Website: ImageVortex
ImageVortex has a very high and competitive payout (commission) for their photographers. Add that to the fact that you can set your own price per photo and then tell me this isn’t interesting.
ImageVortex lets you choose to receive your payment via PayPal, cheque, or a wire transfer to your bank account.
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SignElements
Website: SignElements
Imagine your images ending up on a sign, would that not be awesome? SignElements specializes in stock content for sign makers.
They are is part of the Ingram group.To become a contributor you will have to apply on the contributor page of the Ingram Group portal.
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Ingimage
Website: Ingimage
Ingimage is part of the Ingram group. They have their headquarters in London but have offices in Amsterdam and New York too.
To become a contributor you will have to apply on the contributor page of the Ingram Group portal.
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Vecteezy
Website: Vecteezy
Vecteezy accepts photos, vectors, and videos. To apply you will need to upload some samples of your work, which of course, will be reviewed by them.
Wrapping it up
So here it is, the ultimate sell your pictures longlist. I only have a few left that I can add to it. How about you? Do you know other websites where one can sell photos, illustrations, or footage? Let me know!
It does not take much to start monetizing your images and footage. Some of these sites will even let you upload and sell straight from your phone.
Personally, I like the idea of having my photos hanging on the wall of someone’s living room. I know that people used some of my photos for album covers and children’s books. Besides earning money, having your images used is a reward by itself.
What’s Next?
So, did you like ‘the ultimate sell your pictures longlist’? Was it useful to you?
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Thanks for reading! You are awesome!
