Do you love photography and want to turn your hobby or profession into a source of income? Selling stock photography online might be the perfect opportunity for you. The demand for high-quality images is growing rapidly as businesses, bloggers, designers, and marketers need fresh content every day. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting, you can monetize your photos on various stock photography websites.
But where should you sell your images? Which platforms pay well, and which ones offer the most exposure? In this guide, we’ll explore the best websites to sell your stock photography, along with tips, payout models, and what makes each site unique.
Let’s dive in.
📸 What is Stock Photography?
Stock photography refers to professional photos that are licensed for specific uses. These images are used in:
- Blogs and websites
- Marketing campaigns
- Print advertisements
- Social media content
- eBooks and online courses
Photographers upload their images to stock photography sites, and every time someone licenses one of their photos, they earn a commission.
✅ What to Look for in a Stock Photography Website
Not all stock sites are the same. Here’s what you should consider:
- Commission rate: How much do you earn per download?
- Exposure: Does the platform have a large customer base?
- Ease of use: Is the upload and tagging process beginner-friendly?
- Licensing: What rights does the buyer get, and what protection do you have?
- Exclusivity: Are you locked into only selling on that platform?
Now, let’s explore the top platforms where you can sell your stock photography.
🔝 1. Shutterstock
Best for: Beginners and professional photographers
Why it’s great:
Shutterstock is one of the most popular and beginner-friendly stock photography websites. With over 1 million contributors and millions of monthly users, it offers a massive platform for exposure.
How do you earn?
You get paid every time someone downloads your photo. Commissions range from 15% to 40% based on your contributor level.
Pros:
- Huge global audience
- Easy contributor tools and dashboard
- Automatic keyword suggestions
- Payments via PayPal, Skrill, or bank transfer
Cons:
- Lower royalty rates for beginners
- Images are sold at very low prices
Website: submit.shutterstock.com
📷 2. Adobe Stock (formerly Fotolia)
Best for: Photographers using Adobe products
Why it’s great:
If you use Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, Adobe Stock integrates seamlessly. It has a solid reputation and pays well compared to other platforms.
How do you earn?
You earn 33% commission on photo sales, which is higher than many competitors.
Pros:
- High-quality platform with good pay
- Integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud
- No exclusivity required
Cons:
- An approval process is strict
- Fewer sales than Shutterstock for new users
Website: contributor.stock.adobe.com
💰 3. Getty Images and iStock
Best for: Professional photographers with unique or premium content
Why it’s great:
Getty Images is known for high-end, editorial, and exclusive content. iStock is its more affordable microstock platform.
How do you earn?
- iStock: 15% to 45% commission
- Getty: 20% for royalty-free, 25% for rights-managed images
Pros:
- High earnings for exclusive contributors
- Trusted by large media and advertising companies
- Offers premium pricing for editorial images
Cons:
- Hard to get accepted
- Lower commissions for non-exclusive photos
Website: esp.gettyimages.com
🌍 4. Alamy
Best for: Photographers who want higher payouts and freedom
Why it’s great:
Alamy is less saturated than big names and accepts a wide range of photo types, including editorial and niche content.
How do you earn?
You earn up to 50% commission on each sale if you’re non-exclusive. Exclusive contributors earn up to 60%.
Pros:
- High commission rates
- Accepts a broad variety of images
- Non-exclusive—sell on other platforms too
Cons:
- Slower sales compared to others
- Uploading and keywording can be time-consuming
Website: alamy.com
🌟 5. Dreamstime
Best for: Beginners looking for long-term passive income
Why it’s great:
Dreamstime is an established microstock site with flexible contributor rules. They accept mobile uploads, making it easy for casual photographers too.
How you earn:
You earn 25% to 50% per download. Exclusive images can earn up to 60%.
Pros:
- Accepts mobile photography
- Easy to start
- Good for long-tail passive income
Cons:
- Slower growth in recent years
- Approval process can be picky
Website: dreamstime.com
📱 6. EyeEm
Best for: Modern, authentic, and mobile-friendly photos
Why it’s great:
EyeEm partners with Getty and other marketplaces to get your images more exposure. It’s ideal for photographers with a unique, artsy, or modern style.
How you earn:
You earn 50% commission on each sale. EyeEm handles licensing and partnerships.
Pros:
- Cool, creative community
- Easy mobile uploads
- Potential to be featured on Getty
Cons:
- Highly competitive
- More artistic than commercial in style
Website: eyeem.com
📈 7. 123RF
Best for: Side income from less competitive niches
Why it’s great:
123RF is a reliable microstock platform that offers a simple contributor system. It’s not as famous as others, but still has a strong buyer base.
How you earn:
Commission ranges from 30% to 60%, depending on your contributor level and exclusivity.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Decent commission structure
- Good for growing portfolios
Cons:
- Smaller audience than Shutterstock or Adobe
- The upload system can feel outdated
Website: 123rf.com
📸 8. Can Stock Photo
Best for: New photographers building a portfolio
Why it’s great:
Can Stock Photo is smaller but easy to join and great for first-time contributors. You can also get your photos listed on Fotosearch.
How do you earn?
You earn $0.25–$0.50 per download, and 20–50% on credit sales.
Pros:
- Quick approval process
- Decent exposure through partner sites
- User-friendly
Cons:
- Low traffic compared to larger sites
- Earnings can be modest
Website: canstockphoto.com
🛒 Bonus: Sell Direct on Your Website or Through Print-on-Demand
If you don’t want to rely on stock agencies alone, you can sell your photos directly using:
🖼️ Print-on-Demand Platforms
- SmugMug – Sell prints, photo books, and more
- Zenfolio – Great for pros with client galleries
- Fine Art America – Best for fine art and wall prints
- Redbubble & Society6 – Put your photos on products
🌐 Your Website
Use platforms like WordPress + WooCommerce, Shopify, or Pixieset to sell digital photo licenses or prints with full control.
Pros:
- Keep 100% of the profit
- Build your own brand
- Total freedom on pricing and licensing
Cons:
- Requires traffic and marketing skills
- No built-in audience like stock sites
📋 Tips to Increase Your Stock Photo Sales
- Upload consistently – The more quality photos you upload, the higher your chances of sales.
- Focus on in-demand niches – Business, lifestyle, diversity, technology, and food always sell well.
- Use strong keywords – Describe what’s in your photo using clear and searchable terms.
- Shoot in series – Upload multiple photos from one shoot to appeal to various needs.
- Stay on trend – Use current events and seasonal themes to create relevant content.
- Use model/property releases – Always get permission for recognizable people or private property.
- Don’t give up early – Stock photography is a slow and steady game, but it pays off over time.
🧾 Final Thoughts
Selling stock photography is a realistic and scalable way to earn passive income with your camera. Whether you go with giants like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock or sell directly through your own store, the key is to stay consistent, understand your audience, and provide value through high-quality images.
In the beginning, earnings might be small. But as your portfolio grows and your images get more exposure, your income can grow month after month — even while you sleep.
So pick a few platforms from this list, sign up as a contributor, and start uploading your best work. You never know — one great photo might pay you for years to come.
Got questions or want a custom strategy for your niche (travel, food, product photography, etc.)? Just ask — I’m happy to help you set up!