Best Sites to Sell Stock Photos (Reviewed)

5 Best Sites to Sell Stock Photos

All websites rely on the Best Sites to Sell Stock Photos. There are some advantages to selling your own images to these stock photo website. It offers some value as a little additional money with your Photography Business or a way for freelancers to add a second stream of income.

What Are the Five Best Sites to Sell Stock Photos?

• Getty Images
• Alamy
• Pixieset
• Shutterstock
• Adobe Stock

1. Getty Images

Best for professionals

Overview

On the premium end of stock picture websites is Getty Images. It draws companies and publishers’ eager to license exclusive high-quality or difficult-to-find photos. The portal reaches more than 1.5 million users worldwide.

Key features

• Superior picture quality
• Very broad terms of license
• Browse numerous professional stock photos and images

Pricing

• Basic: $499 per image monthly
• Middle: $450 per image monthly for 5 images
• Standard: $425 per image monthly for 10 images

What I like/ dislike about Getty images

Like

If you are chasing that professional look, Getty Images is the most prestigious and well-known photography agency worldwide.

Dislike

You will have to purchase a Rights Managed license for Getty Images. In other words, you don’t pay for the actual images; rather, you pay for the right to use them on particular media, like the web or print. Due to its exclusive status, it can be challenging to get into Getty Images. To apply, you need to submit six images. Then Getty decides whether your content is suitable for iStock or Getty.

2. Alamy

Best for commissions and 360 images

Overview

With over 60 million images, Alamy is the largest stock photo website, but they pay well too. Photographers must complete an application and pass a quality assurance test to join. Images can be rejected for 26 various reasons, such as poor exposure, camera artifacts, lack of clarity, and excessive editing

Key features

• Simple, user-friendly payment mechanism that pays contributors once each month.
• Personalization of images with its multiple editing and formatting tools.

Pricing

• Basic: $16.80/image monthly for 5 pack
• Middle: $14.90/image monthly for 10 pack
• Premium: $13.96/image monthly for 25 pack

What I like/ dislike about Alamy

Like

Photographers are not limited to selling only through Alamy and receive 50% of every sale. Alamy does not edit or otherwise change the photographs you upload, although they do have stringent requirements.

Dislike

Most buyers won’t find their costs and licensing to be favorable. Additionally, it does not offer long-term contracts.

3. Pixieset

Best for showing proofs

Overview

Pixieset gives photographers everything they need to deliver, share, and sell photographs online. You can quickly build a lovely online store with Pixieset to sell photographic prints, items, and more with automatic fulfillment. Pixieset provides you full control over your store. All you have to do is promote your images and choose the price at which your goods will be sold.

Key features

• No limit to traffic: the number of people who can visit your galleries is unrestricted.
• Fully hosted cloud infrastructure is used to store all of your original files.
• Exclusive Client Gallery: send your client a personalized photo gallery.

Pricing

• Basic: $8 monthly for 10gb storage
• Middle: $16 monthly for 100gb storage
• Premium: $24 monthly for 1000gb storage

What I like/ dislike about pixieset

Like

The platform will let users use a plugin to immediately upload photographs to the gallery.

Dislike

The downside of Pixieset is that it lacks tools for managing contacts, contracts, email templates, and session billing.

Try out Pixieset for free before buying a subscription plan.

4. Shutterstock

Best for beginners

Overview

One of the most popular, greatest, and longest-running stock photography websites is Shutterstock. It is also one of the largest sites. A revolutionary microstock company known for holding the largest online collection of stock photography, with over 190 million files and growing, and for developing the market-leading stock picture subscription model.

Key features

• Shutterstock provides an infinite range of content
• High technical standards
• Very useful search function that makes it simple to browse
• Numerous text templates, limitless custom sizes, limitless sharing provides ease of use

Pricing

• Basic: 10 images for $49 monthly
• Middle: 25 images for $69 monthly
• Premium: 750 images for $479 per month.

What I like/ dislike about Shutterstock

Like

You can save your custom image sizes with this convenient editing tool.

Dislike

I find the reporting system’s filters quite annoying.

5. Adobe Stock

Most popular thus best for everyone

Overview

One of the finest venues to sell images online for no cost is Adobe Stock since, when you offer photos for sale there, they are also made available on Fotolia, a stock photography website. You may upload your photos, films, vectors, or graphics to Adobe Stock straight from Adobe Lightroom CC, Adobe Bridge CC, and the web if you already use the Adobe suite for other creative endeavors.

Key features

• Simple to use, manage, and buy stock
• Allows marketers and creatives to purchase a single image or subscribe to a plan as needed.

Pricing

• Basic: $0.26–$9.99/image
• Premium: $96.00–$119.99/image

What I like/ dislike about adobe stock

Like

Selling images on Adobe Stock gives you access to the largest creative community inside their preferred apps, as well as millions of purchasers.

Dislike

The additional fee for video footage is something I dislike. Adobe charges us a LOT of money, therefore there ought to be a way to apply unused picture credits toward video content, but there isn’t.

Other Stock Photography Sites to Sell your Photos

On Your Own Website

Overview

Selling images on your own website can be a great way to get exposure and sell stock photos, but it takes some effort. You’ll need to build an online store, post your images, set up sales pages and price structures, manage traffic and order fulfillment.

Key features

Price structures vary widely based on image type and size; however most sites will offer low-cost options as well as higher-priced plans that include extras such as downloads or customized user interfaces.

What I like/dislike

The flexibility of setting up your own online store, price structures, and order fulfillment. However, the time and effort required to get started is hard, once you get set up it can be a great way to sell images.

Alamy

Overview

Alamy is a site that allows you to sell images online, and it’s one of the largest stock photo sites in the world. You can post your images directly to Alamy, or use their library of photos which has been licensed by thousands of organizations worldwide.

Features

Price structures and photo licensing vary depending on the image type and size, but most images sell per download. Alamy also offers plans that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library as well as 14 days of free stock photography uploads each month.

What I like/Dislike

The ease of use of Alamy – you can post your images directly, or use their library. The images that are available on Alamy. However, the site can be a bit expensive.

Shutterstock

Overview

Shutterstock is another site that allows you to sell stock photos online. You can post your images directly to Shutterstock, or use their library of photos which has been licensed by thousands of organizations worldwide.

Features

Price structures and photo licensing vary depending on the image type and size, but most images sell per download. Shutterstock also offers a subscription model that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library as well as free stock photography uploads each month.

What I like/Dislike

The ease of use of Shutterstock – you can send your images directly, or use their library. The quality images that are available on Shutterstock. However, the site can be a bit expensive for some photos. It all depends on your budget.

iStock Photo

Overview

iStock Photo is a site that allows you to sell stock photos online. You can post your images directly to iStock Photo, or use their library of photos which has been licensed by thousands of organizations worldwide.

Features

Cost structures and photo licensing vary depending on the image type and size, but most images sell per download. Additionally, iStock offers plans that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library as well as a few free stock images each month.

What I like/Dislike

Uploading images to twitter, or a blog or my own site is what I like about iStock Photo. The problem I have is that I have not been able to find any photos that I like that are under $1

Stocksy

Overview

Stocksy is another site that allows you to sell stock photos online. You can send your images directly to stocksy, or use their library of photos which has been licensed by thousands of organizations worldwide.

Features

Cost structures and photo licensing vary depending on the image type and size, but most images sell per download. Additionally, stocksy offers plans that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library as well as free stock photography images each month.

All three sites offer user-friendly platforms with clear price structures and extensive photo licensing options

What I like/Dislike

I like that stocksy offers free stock photography images each month that will cost you a zero dollar. I also appreciate the friendly platform and clear price structures. What I don’t like is that some of the photos sell for more than $5

Can Stock Photo

Overview

This site is great for finding stock photos that are royalty free. You can search by keyword or browse photo collections with keywords as a guide. Can Stock Photo also offers user-friendly platform with clear price structures and extensive photo licensing options.

What I like/Dislike

The thing I like about Can Stock Photo is that they offer royalty free stock photos. What I don’t like is that their search features can be a bit confusing and their photo licensing options are not as extensive as some of the other sites.

Features

Cost structures and photo licensing vary depending on the image type and size, but most images sell per download. Additionally, stocksy offers plans that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library as well as free stock photography images each month.

What I like/Dislike

What I like about stocksy is that they offer plans that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library. Additionally, stocky offers user-friendly platform with clear price structures and extensive photo licensing options. What I don’t like is that the cost of images can be a bit high for some photography styles.

SmugMug Pro

Overview

One of the best sites for stock photography is SmugMug Pro. You can have your images go directly to SmugMUG, or use their library of photos which has been licensed by thousands of organizations worldwide.

Features

Price structures and photo licensing options vary depending on the image type and size, but most images sell per download. Additionally, Smugmug offers plans that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library.

What I like/Dislike

What I like about Smugmug is that they offer plans that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library. Additionally, Smugmug has a great search engine which makes finding images easy. What I don’t like is that the cost of images can be a bit high for some photography styles.

EyeEm

Overview

EyeEm is something of an “online photo store”. You can browse by keyword or simply take your images and sell your stock image online. EyeEm offers a friendly platform with clear price structures and extensive photo licensing options. Price for photos can vary depending on image type and size, but most images sell per download. Additionally, EyeEm offers plans that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library as well as 14 days of free stock photography each month.

Features

• user-friendly platform
• extensive photo licensing options
• Pricing for photos can vary depending on image

What I like/Dislike

What I like about EyeEm is that they offer plans that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library as well as some free stock photography each month. Additionally, EyeEm has a great search engine which makes finding images easy. What I don’t like is that the price of images can be a bit high for some photography styles.

500px

Overview

500px is a site that allows you to take your images and sell them online. Price structures and photo licensing options vary depending on image type and size, but most images sell per download. Additionally, 500px offers a subscription model that gives users unlimited access to their photos and video library.

Features

• friendly platform
• easy to find images
• varied pricing for photos and images

What I like/Dislike

like:

• friendly platform
• easy to find images
• varied pricing for photos and images

dislike:

• price can be a bit high for photography styles

Etsy

Overview

Etsy is a site that allows you to sell handmade and vintage items online. You can make your images and sell them online, or use Etsy’s built-in photo shop to sell photos of merchandise you’ve made. Price structures and photo licensing options vary depending on image type and size, but most images generally sell per download.

Features

• friendly platform
• easy to find images
• varied pricing for photos and images
• Pricing for photos can vary depending on image

What I like/Dislike

I like the friendly platform and ease of finding images on Etsy. What I don’t like is that photos can get pricey depending on the image type and size.

Twenty20

Overview

Twenty20 is an online photo store that allows you to sell photos of your own photography work or stock photography. You can take your images and sell them online, or use Twenty20’s built-in photo shop to sell photos of merchandise you’ve made.

Features

• friendly platform
• easy to find images
• varied pricing for photos and images
• Pricing for photos can vary depending on image type

What I like/Dislike

I like how easy it is to upload photos to the site. I do not like that photos can get pricey depending on the image type and size.

Depositphotos

Overview

One of the best things about Depositphotos is that you can sell photos of your photography work or stock photography without having to create an account. Simply create your images and get started!

Features

• Online Marketplace for images with watermark
• remove watermark in some cases
• Exclusivity

What I like/Dislike

I like that you can sell photos without having to create an account. I dislike the exclusivity of some photo sales.

123RF

Overview

another great site to sell stock photos is 123RF. They offer plans that gives users unlimited access to their photo library as well as a few free stock photography each month.

Features

• friendly platform
• easy to find images
• varied pricing for photos and images
• Pricing for photos can vary depending on image type

What I like/Dislike

The crazy thing is that 123RF is great for photo selling, stock photography selling and image sourcing. I like that it’s easy to find images. I don’t like how some photos can get pricey depending on the image type and size.

Dreamstime

Overview

The Dreamstime photos site is great for selling stock photos that are high-resolution images. You can make your images and sell them online, or use their built-in photo shop to sell photos of merchandise you’ve made.

Features

• Best for stock photography that is high-resolution images
• Pricing for photos can vary depending on image type

What I like/Dislike

Dreamstime is the best way to sell photos of high-resolution photography. On the downside, they don’t offer user-generated 3D art which can be a downside for some photographers.

Foap

Overview

With an extensive photo library of stock photos, Foap is great for selling photos of your photography work or stock photography. You can take your images and sell them online, or use their built-in photo shop to sell photos of merchandise you’ve made.

Features

• Huge Price range for photos can vary depending on image type
• Great for stock photography

What I like/Dislike

One of the things I I like best about Foap is the huge price range for photos. Depending on the image type, prices can be really high or really low. If you’re looking to sell stock photography that isn’t high-resolution, Foap might not be your best option.

EyeEm

Overview

EyeEm is one of the best sites to sell stock photos online. They offer plans that gives users access to their photo library as well as a few free stock photography each month.

Features

• Access to EyeEm photo library
• Free stock photography each month
• Pricing for photos can vary depending on image type

What I like/Dislike

One of the things I like best about EyeEm is the access to their photo library. Depending on the plan you choose, you can get a few free stock photos each month which really helps get your business started. On the downside, Service is limited to photos.

Zenfolio

Overview

If you are going to sell photos of your photography work or stock photography online, Zenfolio is a great site to use. They offer features that gives users unlimited access to their photo library as well as the ability to sell photos online and in their built-in photo shop.

Features

• Exclusive images
• large selection
• Best place to sell my images

What I like/Dislike

I like the large selection at Zenfolio. It can be hard to find the image you’re looking for, but that might just be because they have so many images! I don’t like the fact that photos need to be saved in order to sell them online.

Wirestock

Overview

With an unlimited photo upload and photo storage capacity, Wirestock is great for selling photos of your photography work or stock photography online. You can post your images and sell them online, or use their built-in photo shop to sell photos of merchandise you’ve made.

Features

• Powerful Unlimited photo upload
• photo storage capacity
• Selling photos online is easy
• Built-in photo shop to sell photos of merchandise

What I like/Dislike

I like the built in photo shop at Wirestock. It makes it really easy to sell photos of merchandise online. I don’t like that you can only sell photos online, and not download them for use elsewhere.

Photoshelter

Overview

If you are a professional photographer, then photoshelter is a great place to sell your photos online. They offer subscriptions that give users access to their photo library as well as the ability to sell photos online and upload them directly into their photo shop.

Features

• Can use any type of photos
• Great option for a pro photographer
• royalty-free (rf) images

What I like/Dislike

It is hard to say what I like or dislike about Photoshelter. They have a great option for professional photographers, and their rf images make it easy to get started without worrying about royalties.

BigStock

Overview

Your digital images can now be converted into stock photos that can be sold online. BigStock offers plans that gives users unlimited uploads and access to their photo library as well as the ability to sell photos online and upload them directly into their photo shop.

Features

• Best Place for photos
• great photo storage
• Selling photos online is easy at this site

What I like/Dislike

I love that Bigstock offers a best place for photos option. It makes it really easy to find images that fit the tone or style you are looking for. I don’t like that you can only sell photos online, and not download them for use elsewhere.

Foap

Overview

You can showcase your photography work and sell photos online with Foap. They offer a subscription model that gives users unlimited uploads, photo storage, and the ability to sell photos online as well as add them directly into their photo shop.

Features

• Easy payout
• Digital Downloads of my images
• Easy Submissions of digital photos

What I like/Dislike

I like that you don’t need to use photoshop to sell your photos on this stock site. I don’t like that you can’t sell photos that are copyrighted, just kidding.

Fine Art America

Fine Art America is a fine art photography site that allows users to sell their digital fine art photos and products. It features the best photographers in America, provides prints of original photographs available at very affordable prices for all its customers. You can also easily make your own photo album or give as any gift item with these high quality images from this website

How Can You Earn Money From Photographs?

Define your niche

You will need to Figure out what photographer styles you would like to sell your images. Check stock photo websites and identify the images that best represent your photography.

Identify which stock photos sites offer the licensing rights for your images, and purchase those rights. Submit images to websites of specific topics or genres, using keyword-rich titles and descriptions. This could include selling images of Feet.

Create your photography portfolio

Once you have established a following on stock websites, start marketing your photography services directly to businesses and individuals. Use your own website or a profile on stock sites.

Print on demand

If you have a photography style that can be easily printed on demand, offer print-on-demand services to businesses and individuals. Also, be sure to sell high-quality prints of your photography images online. Print on Demand sites like printify allow you to place your images onto shirts and mugs. This could be the start of a fashion line.

Marketing Is King

Without an effective marketing strategy, you may not be able to earn a living from photography. Marketing can involve creating online content that focuses on your photography style and niche, as well as advertising your services through social media sites.

Questions:

How much money can I make selling stock photos?

You can make money from stock photos in a variety of ways, depending on your photography style and niche. Some stock photo websites offer royalties for images that are used, while others require you to sell prints directly to customers. Ultimately, the amount of money you can earn will depend on a number of factors, including the size and type of image that you upload, how often it is updated, and the marketing strategy employed by stock photo website.

How do you successfully sell stock photos?

In order to sell stock photos successfully, you’ll need a good photography style and an understanding of photo market trends. You can also use keyword-rich titles and descriptions when uploading images to stock websites, as well as social media sites. Also, make sure to sell quality prints of your photography images online in order to create a lasting impression with potential customers.

How do I quickly make money online selling images?

Making money online as a photographer can be rewarding, but it takes time and effort to build a successful business. If you’re looking for ways to quickly make money from your photography images, consider selling stock photos through photo websites or social media sites. You can also create quality prints of your images and sell them online. However, success will require hard work and dedication on your part