Yes, Shutterstock pays contributors monthly, calculating earnings from the previous month at the start of the new month and issuing payments by the 15th, provided earnings meet the minimum payout threshold (usually $25) and tax/payment details are set up. Payments are sent via chosen methods like PayPal, Skrill, or Payoneer, with potential processing fees, and successful payments appear in the contributor's history.
As a Shutterstock contributor, you will earn a percentage of the price Shutterstock receives for licensing your content. There are 6 separate earnings levels for images and for videos, ranging from 15% up to 40%.
Payment Processing
Payments issued via Payoneer, Paypal, or Skrill are usually sent between the 7th and 15th of the month unless the 7th falls on a weekend.
How much does shutterstock Cost? Shutterstock pricing starts at approximately $29 per month for a basic subscription or $33 for a pack of 5 credits for pay-as-you-go options.
Minimum payout: Enter the amount of earnings that must accrue in your account before a payment can be made. The minimum payout amount is $25 and the maximum is $2000.
Consistent Revenue Stream
Shutterstock offers contributors a chance to earn a steady stream of passive income through royalties, helping you monetize your work continuously.
To be accepted into Shutterstock you need to first apply by submitting ten of your best photos. If seven out of ten are accepted then you are in. If not, then you need to wait a whole month before trying again.
Contributors report earning $0.08-$2.28 per month, while some of the best-sellers yield $87.7 per month (aggregated in 2022).
A 30-minute photo session typically costs between $100 and $450, varying greatly by location, photographer experience, and what's included (e.g., number of edited digital images, prints). Some photographers offer very affordable "mini-sessions" starting around $75-$100, while more established pros might charge $200-$500 for just a short session plus digitals.
You can explore the site's vast collections and even sign up for free, enjoying tools like the image editor at no cost. However, to use their high-quality images, videos, or music tracks in your projects, you'll need to purchase them as they are Royalty-Free but not free of charge.
You can submit content and generate sales right away, and we encourage you to do so! You will be eligible to receive a payment 90 days after your first image or clip is approved.
Who pays the most for selling photos online? The platforms that pay the most for your photos are typically macrostock agencies like Getty Images, Stocksy, and Alamy. These sites focus on high-end, often exclusive photography and offer significantly higher payouts compared to microstock platforms.
Here are some key points about the content you submit to Shutterstock: You retain all copyright ownership to the content you submit.
500px offers some of the highest royalty rates in stock photography. As a paid Awesome member, you earn 70% royalties on non-exclusive photos and up to 100% on exclusive photos licensed. Free members likewise earn 60% on exclusive photos.
Common reasons for rejection
Release is incomplete or missing required fields. Handwriting is illegible. The file is low resolution, blurry, cut off, or otherwise unreadable. Non-English releases are used that are not from Shutterstock, Easy Release, Getty Images, iStockphoto, or Adobe.
Payoneer is one of the convenient and secure payment options Shutterstock offers to our contributors in addition to PayPal and Skrill. To ensure that payments are processed quickly, Payoneer offers their Global Bank Transfer option to Shutterstock contributors in eligible regions.
Photographers' rates vary widely based on factors like experience, location, and services offered. Beginners may charge $50-$150 per hour or a few hundred dollars per session, while experienced professionals can command $200-$500 per hour or more for their services.
Most, if not all my local photographers in my area usually gives roughly 40-50 images in a typical hour session. I usually do my family sessions with 30 included photos, but have roughly 50-70 edited images.
A photographer for 2 hours can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000 or more, with averages often falling between $400-$500 for shorter sessions, but prices depend heavily on experience, location, and event type (e.g., corporate vs. casual). Expect rates from $100-$300/hour for events, but some professionals have minimums or package deals that might make a 2-hour booking around $400-$1000+.
Candid Photos Sell Better than Posed Shots
They want candid. The difference here wasn't as vast, but definitely noticeable: 62% of best-sellers are shot in a candid style, while only 38% are obviously posed. Lesson Learned: Take candid photos.
Can I sell photos taken from my phone? Yes, you can sell photos taken from your phone. As phones become more sophisticated, natural images continue to grow in demand. High-quality cell phone photos are acceptable on sites like Shutterstock.
Portrait and family photography
Taking pictures of families and individuals is perhaps the most prevalent type of photography done by freelancers. It won't be long before you're swamped with work if this is your field of expertise. Photographs of growing and changing families are constantly in demand.
The "3 1 rule" in photography most likely refers to the Rule of Thirds, a fundamental composition guideline that suggests placing your main subject or key elements along imaginary lines that divide your frame into nine equal parts (three horizontal, three vertical) or at their intersection points, creating more dynamic and visually engaging photos than a centered subject. This off-center placement encourages the viewer's eye to explore the image, building balance and narrative by leaving open space (the other two-thirds) for context.
Best websites for selling photos online
Minimum contributor payout per download is $0.10 regardless of level.