What Is Shutterstock?

Shutterstock is a global marketplace where photographers, illustrators, and videographers sell their work to businesses, marketers, and content creators. The platform allows contributors to earn royalties every time their content is downloaded.

Start Selling on Shutterstock

Create an Account

• Visit Shutterstock’s Contributor page.
• Sign up by providing your details, including name, email, and a brief portfolio of your work.

Upload Your Images

• Choose your best work. High-quality, unique, and commercially valuable images perform best.
• Ensure your images meet Shutterstock’s technical standards (e.g., resolution, format, and content requirements).

Add Titles, Descriptions, and Keywords

• Use descriptive and SEO-friendly titles.
• Add relevant keywords to make your images discoverable.
• Write a detailed description for each photo.

Submit Your Work for Review

• All uploaded content must go through a quality check by Shutterstock. Ensure your files are free of copyright issues and adhere to guidelines.

Track Your Sales

• Once approved, your content will be live on Shutterstock’s marketplace.
• You’ll earn royalties each time someone downloads your image.

Types of Images That Sell Well

Some categories tend to perform better than others:

• Business and Workplaces: People working on laptops, office meetings, and team collaborations.
• Lifestyle and Wellness: Yoga, fitness, cooking, and family activities.
• Travel and Nature: Landscapes, cityscapes, and cultural landmarks.
• Abstract and Creative: Patterns, textures, and conceptual designs.
• Seasonal Themes: Holiday-related imagery such as Christmas or Halloween.

Tips to Maximize Earnings

• Upload Regularly: Consistency increases visibility.
• Research Trends: Look at what’s trending in stock photography.
• Diversify Your Portfolio: Include a mix of subjects to appeal to a broader audience.
• Focus on Quality: Ensure your images are sharp, well-composed, and edited.
• Engage with Analytics: Use Shutterstock’s analytics to understand what’s selling and adjust your strategy.

Shutterstock Royalty Structure

• Shutterstock operates on a tiered royalty system. Your earnings increase as your lifetime download count grows. While the starting percentage might seem small, higher volume and premium sales can significantly boost your income.

Advantages of Selling on Shutterstock

• Global Audience: Reach customers from all over the world.
• Passive Income: Earn money long after uploading your images.
• No Marketing Hassle: Shutterstock handles the promotion of your work.
• Creative Freedom: Focus on creating while the platform manages the sales.