To sell your photos as stock images, you license them through specialized online platforms that market and sell your work to buyers, paying you a commission or royalty each time a photo is used.
Selling photos as stock images involves submitting your photographs to agencies or platforms that act as intermediaries between you (the photographer) and potential buyers (individuals or businesses needing images for websites, advertisements, publications, etc.). These platforms handle the marketing, licensing, and transaction process for you. Once your photos are accepted into their collection, you earn a percentage of the sale price each time a buyer licenses one of your images.
Here's how you can approach selling your photos as stock images, utilizing various popular platforms:
Choose the Right Stock Photo Platform
Different platforms cater to different types of photographers and images. Some are known for their broad reach, while others focus on premium or niche content. Selecting the right platform depends on your style, the quality of your work, and your goals.
Here are some platforms where you can sell your photos:
- Alamy: This platform allows you to sell your own photos and earn a commission on sales. It's known for having a broad acceptance policy compared to some other agencies.
- 500px: Beyond licensing, 500px combines stock photo licensing with community features, allowing photographers to connect and share work while also having the option to sell licenses through their marketplace.
- Shutterstock: Considered one of the most popular photography websites, Shutterstock has a massive library and a vast network of contributors and buyers, offering significant exposure for your work.
- Getty Images: This platform boasts a large library of premium stock photos and is often associated with high-quality, exclusive content, frequently used by major publications and brands.
- iStock: An alternative, iStock is a non-exclusive contributor alternative to Getty Images, offering a way to get your photos in front of a similar audience but often under different terms, including non-exclusive agreements.
The Process of Selling Stock Photos
While the specifics vary slightly between platforms, the general process includes:
- Signing Up: Create a contributor account on your chosen platform(s).
- Submitting Photos: Upload your high-resolution images.
- Review Process: The agency reviews your submissions based on technical quality, aesthetic appeal, and commercial viability. Not all photos may be accepted.
- Adding Metadata: If accepted, you'll need to add accurate keywords, descriptions, and titles so buyers can find your photos. Model and property releases may also be required if identifiable people or private properties are featured.
- Licensing and Sales: The platform makes your photos available for buyers to license.
- Earning Royalties: You earn a percentage (royalty or commission) each time one of your photos is licensed. The percentage varies widely by platform and license type.
Comparing Popular Platforms
Here's a quick look at some platforms based on the provided references:
| Platform | Key Feature(s) Highlighted in Reference | General Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Alamy | Sell your own photos and earn a commission. | Broad market, relatively high commission rates. |
| 500px | Combines stock photo licensing with community features. | Connect with photographers, sell licenses. |
| Shutterstock | One of the most popular photography websites. | High volume, broad exposure, microstock model. |
| Getty Images | Has a large library of premium stock photos. | Premium market, often exclusive content. |
| iStock | A non-exclusive contributor alternative to Getty Images. | Similar market to Getty, option for non-exclusive. |
Selling stock photos requires patience, consistent effort, and a good understanding of what kind of images are in demand. By utilizing platforms like Alamy, 500px, Shutterstock, Getty Images, or iStock, you can reach a global market and generate income from your photography.
