Do you love taking photos? Want to turn that passion into money? If you’ve got a decent camera (even your phone might be enough), you could start selling your pictures on Shutterstock. It’s easier than you think—and fun too!
TLDR: If you enjoy photography, Shutterstock is a great place to earn money by selling your images. Create an account, upload your best pictures, and Shutterstock will do the rest. You earn royalties every time someone downloads your photo. Just focus on quality, keywords, and consistency!
What Is Shutterstock?
Shutterstock is a massive online marketplace for stock images. Companies, bloggers, designers, and marketers come here to buy photos. If one of your photos gets downloaded, you get paid. Simple, right?
Step 1: Create a Contributor Account
To start selling, you need to become a contributor. Here’s how:
- Go to submit.shutterstock.com.
- Click “Sign Up” and enter your details.
- Upload a valid ID (passport or driver’s license) to prove you’re a real person.
- Wait a short while for the approval email. Don’t worry—this usually takes just a few hours.
Once approved, you’re ready to upload your work!
Step 2: Take (or Pick) Great Photos
You don’t need to be a pro. But quality matters! Your photo must be:
- Sharp and in focus
- Well-lit (no dark, fuzzy images!)
- Clear of watermarks or brand logos
- In high resolution (at least 4 MP, though more is better)
Photos of people? Make sure to get a signed model release from anyone who’s recognizable in the picture. Shutterstock won’t accept them otherwise.
Step 3: Upload Your Photos
This is where the fun begins. Upload your images from your dashboard. Shutterstock makes it really simple:
- Drag and drop or upload from your computer
- Choose photo categories (like Travel, Nature, Food)
- Write catchy and accurate titles (e.g., “Sunset on a tropical beach”)
- Add keywords—at least 10–15. These help people find your image.
Example title: “Smiling child playing in colorful autumn leaves”
Example keywords: child, autumn, leaves, play, fun, outdoor, nature
The better your tags and titles, the more views and downloads you’ll get!
Step 4: Understand the Review Process
After upload, your photo goes through a review. This usually takes 1–3 days. A Shutterstock reviewer checks for:
- Technical quality (focus, lighting, color)
- Relevance of title and keywords
- Any issues with copyright or people needing releases
If it’s accepted, congrats! Your image goes live and is ready to earn. If it’s rejected—don’t worry. They’ll tell you why. Learn from it, improve, and try again.
Step 5: Get Paid
Each time someone downloads your image, you get a royalty. How much you earn depends on your contributor level, which rises over time with more downloads.
As of 2025, here’s how Shutterstock pays contributors:
- New contributors start at Level 1: around $0.10 to $0.25 per image
- More downloads each year unlock higher levels with better earnings
- You can earn from subscriptions and on-demand purchases
Payouts are made through PayPal, Skrill, or bank transfer once you hit the minimum (usually $35).
Tips for Selling More Photos (In 2025)
It’s not just about uploading a bunch of pictures. Smart strategy = more sales. Try these:
- Upload often. New content gets more attention.
- Follow trends. Think holidays, current events, or remote work themes.
- Be consistent. Upload weekly or monthly batches.
- Shoot diverse topics. People, nature, technology, abstract art—they all sell!
- Use Shutterstock’s Keyword Suggestions. It helps you match what buyers are searching for.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few “oops” moments you want to dodge:
- Submitting low-quality or out-of-focus images
- Forgetting model and property releases
- Using incorrect or misleading keywords
- Shooting only what you like, not what others are looking for
Pro tip: Check the Shutterstock blog and “Top Downloads” to see what’s hot right now.
Can I Use My Phone?
Yes! Many contributors shoot with smartphones, especially newer models like iPhone 14+ or Google Pixel 7. Just make sure to:
- Use the best camera settings
- Edit (lightly) for brightness and contrast
- Crop smartly, but don’t over-filter
Apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile can really level up your phone shots.
How Much Can You Really Make?
This depends on quantity, quality, and luck. Some people earn just coffee money. Others bring in hundreds—or even thousands—each month.
The secret? Build a big, diverse portfolio. More images = more ways to earn!
Bonus: Shutterstock Also Accepts Videos
Got clips of your dog chasing a ball, city scenes, or food sizzling in the pan? Shoot short videos and upload those too!
- Shutterstock pays more per video download
- You can use your phone for this as well (just shoot in landscape!)
So… Should You Try It?
Absolutely! You’ve got nothing to lose and maybe a lot to gain.
It’s free to join, fun to do, and rewarding to see your photos get used around the world.
Who knows where your camera—or your creativity—might take you?
Quick Checklist to Get Started
- Create your Shutterstock contributor account
- Upload 5–10 of your best photos
- Use solid titles and keywords
- Repeat weekly or monthly
- Keep learning and improving
Now grab your camera and go create something amazing!