10+ Best Places to Sell Photos Online and Make Money

Last updated on May 3, 2025 by Southie Williamson Reader Disclosure

Photographers have more opportunities than ever to monetize their work through online platforms. Whether you’re a professional or hobbyist, knowing the best places to sell photos online can help you generate income from your passion.

I’ve researched and personal used many of the top platforms where photographers are successfully selling their work. In this guide, I’ll break down exactly where and how to sell your photography online to maximize your earnings potential.

From creating your own photography website to leveraging established marketplaces, I’ll show you the most profitable options available today.

Quick Summary of the Best Places to Sell Photos

WordPress	Your own website and store	Fees: Varies (plugin and hosting costs)	Best for full control over branding, pricing, and selling
Adobe Stock	Stock marketplace (Non-exclusive)	Earn: 33% royalty	Best for high-volume commercial stock
Shutterstock	Stock marketplace (Non-exclusive)	Earn: 15–40% royalty	Best for broad exposure and licensing
iStock (Getty)	Stock marketplace (Optional exclusivity)	Earn: 15–45% royalty	Best for entry into Getty’s premium licensing ecosystem
Alamy	Stock marketplace (Non-exclusive)	Earn: 20–40% royalty	Best for niche and editorial content
500px	Community + stock marketplace (Optional exclusivity)	Earn: 30–60% royalty	Best for community and emerging photographers
Stocksy	Curated stock co-op (Exclusive)	Earn: 50–75% royalty	Best for artistic and premium stock
Etsy	Personal storefront	Fees: 6.5% per transaction + listing and processing fees	Best for selling prints and gifts directly
SmugMug	Personal storefront	Fees: 15% commission + subscription cost	Best for creating a branded portfolio store
PhotoShelter	Personal storefront	Fees: Monthly subscription cost	Best for selling to clients via private galleries
TourPhotos	Personal storefront	Fees: 20%-25% per transaction	Best for event photographers selling directly to attendees

#1 Best Place to Sell Photos Online

Before we dive into the various photo marketplaces, let me emphasize that your own website is the absolute best place to sell photos online. The reason is simple: YOU have full control. You set your prices without anyone taking a commission from your earnings. You control how your photos are displayed, and you establish your own terms and conditions.

Don’t have a website yet? Creating one is easier than you might think. WordPress makes it simple to build a professional photography site. To get started, check out our guide on How to Create a Photography Website in WordPress.

After building your website, you’ll need to create an attractive showcase for your photos. To convert visitors into buyers, ensure:

• Your images are displayed properly with optimal quality
• Your design is user-friendly and intuitive
• Your images are optimized for search engines
• Your photos are protected from theft
• You have a reliable eCommerce system to process payments and deliver digital downloads

Thankfully, Envira Gallery makes all of this straightforward!

Selling Photos with Envira Gallery

Envira Gallery is the premier WordPress gallery plugin for photographers. The intuitive drag-and-drop builder lets you create stunning galleries that showcase your images and videos beautifully. The plugin includes a built-in lightbox and multiple layout options including slideshow, fullscreen, masonry, creative, and more.

Envira Gallery provides complete control with native WooCommerce integration. Setting up eCommerce functionality to sell your photos is simple, and the Digital Downloads Addon enables easy file delivery.

Our most popular features include:

• Client image proofing tools
• Social sharing buttons on images, galleries, and albums
• Filterable galleries and albums using tags
• Video galleries for multimedia portfolios
• Albums to organize and manage galleries
• Deeplinking for SEO-friendly galleries
• Watermarking, image protection, and password-protected galleries
• Built-in image compression and lazy-loading
• Adobe Lightroom integration
• And much more…

Envira Gallery helps you stand out from competitors with professional, functional galleries—no coding required. Check out our step-by-step tutorial on how to use Envira Gallery to sell your photos online.

Get started with Envira Gallery today!

Want to learn more about creating a site to sell pictures as stock images? Check out How to Sell Stock Photos with a WordPress Plugin or Theme.

Top 10 Photo Selling Websites

While your own website offers the most control and profit potential, there are many established platforms where you can list your photography for sale. Here’s my curated list of the best places to sell photos online.

1. Adobe Stock

Commission Rate: 33% royalty per image

Licensing: Non-exclusive

Assets Accepted: Photos, vectors, illustrations, videos

Best For: Lightroom users, stock photographers

Adobe Stock is a top-tier marketplace backed by the same company behind Photoshop and Lightroom. If you’re just getting started, the free contributor portfolio and non-exclusive terms make it easy to test the waters while also listing your photos on other platforms.

It’s a no-brainer if you already use Adobe tools—Lightroom users can upload directly, and the integration with Creative Cloud makes it one of the smoothest platforms to work with. The reach is enormous, too. Adobe products are used by millions globally, meaning your photos have the potential to show up in major marketing campaigns, websites, and creative projects.

My Take: In my experience, Adobe Stock is one of the easiest platforms to get started with—especially if you’re already in the Adobe ecosystem. I like how quick it is to upload directly from Lightroom, and the exposure potential is hard to beat. That said, it’s best suited for more commercially viable images. If your work is highly stylized or experimental, it may not be the perfect fit.

2. Shutterstock

Commission Rate: 15–40% based on download volume

Licensing: Non-exclusive

Assets Accepted: Photos, vectors, illustrations, videos, music

Best For: Contributors building large libraries over time

Shutterstock is one of the oldest and largest marketplaces for selling stock photos and videos, with over 600 million assets and a customer base that spans nearly every industry. That said, the marketplace is extremely competitive. With hundreds of millions of images already available, standing out takes time.

Contributors can upload photos, illustrations, vectors, and even videos or music with no signup cost. The platform offers non-exclusive licensing, meaning you’re free to list your content elsewhere as well. You’ll also get a personalized contributor portfolio, detailed earnings tracking, and a referral program to boost your income.

My Take: Shutterstock is a solid choice if you’re planning to upload regularly and build a large catalog over time. In my experience, the platform favors volume and consistency more than creativity alone. While the starting royalty is lower, the exposure potential is huge. It’s worth considering if you’re willing to play the long game and steadily grow your presence.

3. iStock Photos by Getty Images

Commission Rate: 15%–45%, depending on exclusivity and contributor level

Licensing: Non-exclusive or exclusive (higher commission for exclusive content)

Assets Accepted: Photos, videos, illustrations

Best For: Photographers seeking wide exposure through a trusted brand

iStock, owned by Getty Images, is one of the most recognized names in the stock photo world. As a contributor, your images are available to buyers across both platforms, which serve millions of customers—from small bloggers to Fortune 500 companies. While Getty focuses more on exclusive, editorial, and high-end licensing, iStock caters to a broader commercial audience through its microstock model.

Contributors are paid based on whether they choose exclusive or non-exclusive licensing. You’ll start at 15% commission for non-exclusive content, but that rate can increase to 25%–45% depending on your download volume or exclusivity. Getty also offers contributors access to advanced licensing options and a chance to earn through extended usage and brand partnerships.

My Take: If you’re aiming for professional exposure, iStock and Getty are among the most established platforms in the industry. What’s especially convenient is that your submissions are reviewed once and considered for both—no need to apply or upload separately.

iStock follows a microstock model with lower price points, while Getty Images operates as a curated macrostock agency offering premium licenses. If your images meet Getty’s quality and commercial standards, they may be promoted for higher-value placements.

It’s a streamlined way to get your foot in the door with a macrostock platform—without the extra effort upfront. If you’re serious about earning more per image, this model is worth pursuing.

4. Alamy

Commission Rate: 40–50%, or 100% for eligible students

Licensing: Non-exclusive

Assets Accepted: Photos, vectors, illustrations, videos

Best For: Students and photographers who want full creative control

Alamy is a UK-based platform that pays out over $1 million to contributors every month. Signing up is free, and unlike many stock agencies, Alamy doesn’t edit submissions—photographers retain full control over what they upload. You can also use their iPhone app, Stockimo, to capture and upload photos on the go.

It’s an especially attractive option for students. With Alamy’s student program, eligible contributors can earn a 100% commission for their first 2 years. The platform handles the licensing process and offers a straightforward contract, making it a hassle-free way to sell licensed photos online.

My Take: Alamy is a fantastic option if you want complete creative control and aren’t interested in having your work curated. I especially recommend it for students—the 100% commission rate is as good as it gets. While the buyer pool is smaller than top-tier platforms, the higher payout and flexible terms make Alamy a strong secondary income source for photographers.

5. 500px

Commission Rate: 25% for all non-exclusive images; for exclusive images, you’ll earn 60% on the free plan or 100% on paid plans

Licensing: Reviewed and curated by 500px before publishing, exclusive and non-exclusive selling options available

Assets Accepted: High-quality photos only

Best For: Professional photographers focused on exposure and community

500px isn’t just a place to sell photos—it’s also a vibrant online community built for serious photographers. The platform allows you to host and share your photography, connect with other creators, and even compete in weekly “Quests” for prizes and exposure.

When it comes to monetization, 500px takes a unique approach. You can sell your photos and earn 100% commission by subscribing to a paid plan, or stick with the free plan and keep 60%. Their marketplace prioritizes quality over quantity—each image goes through a review process that evaluates its commercial potential, production value, and overall creativity.

My Take: 500px is a great platform if you’re serious about your craft and want to build credibility alongside other professionals. I like that it’s more than just a marketplace—it’s a space where you can grow, get feedback, and be part of a global photography community.

The curated approach means you’re not buried under low-effort uploads, but it also means the bar is high. If you’re confident in the quality of your work and want to earn high commissions through exclusive licensing, 500px is worth exploring.

6. Stocksy

Commission Rate: 50%–75% per sale

Licensing: Exclusive

Assets Accepted: High-quality photos and videos

Best For: Artistic photographers seeking a curated, high-end marketplace

Stocksy is a boutique stock photography agency known for its high artistic standards, ethical practices, and generous contributor payouts. Unlike traditional stock platforms, Stocksy operates as a co-op—meaning photographers have ownership in the company and can participate in the direction of the business.

Stocksy only accepts exclusive content, and all submissions go through a rigorous selection and curation process. If you’re accepted, you’ll join a community of creatives whose work is carefully marketed to clients in advertising, publishing, and editorial. The agency offers some of the highest royalty rates in the industry.—50% for regular licensing and 75% for extended licenses.

My Take: Stocksy is an incredible platform if your work is creative, polished, and leans more editorial or artistic. I love that it’s photographer-owned and offers serious revenue potential by offering buyers market-freeze and extended usage options.

That said, it’s not for beginners or bulk uploaders—it’s a curated space where quality and originality matter most. If you want to stand out in a sea of generic stock and be part of a community that values artistry, Stocksy is worth applying to.

7. Etsy

Commission Rate: You set your prices; Etsy takes a listing fee (the first 40 are free, then $0.20 each), a transaction fee (6.5%), and processing fee to accept payments on the platform (3% + $0.25)

Licensing: Not applicable – you operate your own shop

Assets Accepted: Digital downloads, prints, photo gifts

Best For: Selling prints and products without building your own site

Etsy may be best known for handmade goods and vintage finds, but it’s also a surprisingly strong platform for photographers. The site gets more traffic than many stock photo sites and caters to a niche audience—especially shoppers interested in aesthetic, homey, or personalized items. That makes it a great place to sell fine art prints, digital downloads, or even custom photo products like mugs and throw blankets.

Unlike traditional stock agencies, Etsy functions more like your own eCommerce store. You control your pricing, how your images are displayed, and what types of products you want to offer. It’s also a good option if you want to scale your photography business into a full brand—without needing to build a separate site from scratch.

My Take: Etsy stands out because it lets you sell photography like a small business owner rather than a contributor to someone else’s platform. I’ve seen photographers use it to create entire brands around their style—selling everything from wall art to cozy throw pillows.

It’s especially appealing if you enjoy the creative freedom of designing your own shop and want to connect with buyers looking for something personal or handmade. Just be ready to invest time into presentation, pricing, and logistics—it’s not as passive as stock photo sites, but the trade-off can be worth it.

8. SmugMug

Commission Rate: You keep 85% of the profit

Licensing: Not applicable – you sell through your own storefront

Assets Accepted: Digital downloads, photo prints, product merchandise

Best For: Selling high-quality prints and offering client proofing

SmugMug is best known for secure photo storage, but it’s also a powerful platform for selling your photography. The company claims you can get your storefront up and running in just 15 minutes. Once you’re set up, you can offer digital downloads, custom-priced prints, or photo merchandise through integrated professional print labs.

One standout feature is SmugMug’s product flexibility. You can sell prints on paper, metal, glass, and other keepsakes without having to handle fulfillment yourself. Plus, the platform includes built-in tools for sharing galleries, proofing sessions, and even creating custom event pages—making it a solid option for client work as well as personal sales.

My Take: SmugMug is ideal if you want full control over your pricing and presentation without the hassle of printing logistics. I especially like it for client work—proofing tools, private galleries, and event sites make it easy to deliver a polished experience.

That said, I still prefer building a photography site on WordPress. It gives you far more customization, flexibility, and ownership over your brand in the long run. SmugMug is a solid option if you want something all-in-one and ready to go, but WordPress offers more room to grow.

9. PhotoShelter

Commission Rate: 8%–10% transaction fee per sale

Licensing: You set pricing and retain full rights

Assets Accepted: Digital downloads, prints, galleries

Best For: Photographers who want to sell from a branded portfolio site

PhotoShelter is more than just a marketplace—it’s a full-featured platform for building your own photography website. You can create a branded portfolio, sell prints and downloads, organize galleries, and deliver files directly to clients. It’s designed with photographers in mind and offers a mix of automation and customization that makes selling photos online much simpler.

The platform includes site-building tools with ready-to-use templates, eCommerce integrations, and professional print lab partnerships. You can also create private client galleries for proofing and delivery. Plus, there’s a mobile app for uploading, pricing, and managing your archive on the go.

My Take: PhotoShelter is a great option if you want an all-in-one system for showcasing and selling your work without dealing with plugins or third-party tools. It’s especially useful for photographers who work with clients and need to offer private galleries or proofing.

While it doesn’t have the design freedom of a full WordPress site, the built-in selling features and streamlined workflow make it easy to run a professional-looking store with minimal effort.

10. TourPhotos

Commission Rate: 75%–80% (TourPhotos takes 20%–25%)

Licensing: You retain full rights and control pricing

Assets Accepted: High-res photos and videos

Best For: Tour, event, and activity photographers working with groups

TourPhotos is a platform designed specifically for event and activity photographers. It’s used by tour companies and travel guides to upload photos and videos from excursions, allowing attendees to browse, purchase, and share their memories online. You can create galleries based on specific tour dates or activities, making it easy for customers to find their images.

The system uses a calendar-based storefront that organizes content by date, and includes built-in tools for pricing, branding, and social sharing. You can set individual or bulk pricing, generate discount codes, and even allow team members to upload content and earn a commission.

My Take: TourPhotos fills a specific but valuable niche for photographers working with tour groups or events. I like how easy it is to organize and deliver photos using their calendar-based storefront, and the team collaboration tools are a big plus if you work with assistants or staff. It won’t replace a general portfolio or stock site, but for high-volume client work, it’s a streamlined way to monetize and distribute your images quickly.

Honorable Mentions

These platforms didn’t make our main list but may still be worth exploring depending on your niche, goals, and workflow:

• Dreamstime – A beginner-friendly stock site with 25%–45% royalties and tools for curating your galleries.
• 123RF – A long-running stock site with a contributor program offering 30%–60% royalties. Still active but less prominent than top-tier platforms.
• Envato (PhotoDune) – A designer-focused marketplace for stock photos and other digital assets. Strong exposure, but highly competitive.
• EyeEm – Combines a creative community with a licensing marketplace. Less active today, but still partnered with brands like Getty.
• Wirestock – A multi-agency uploader that distributes your photos across platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and more with minimal effort.
• Fine Art America – A print-on-demand platform focused on fine art. You set your own prices, and they handle all fulfillment. Learn more in our guide to print-on-demand services.
• Picfair – You set your own prices, and Picfair adds a transparent markup. Includes a built-in storefront and licensing tools.
• Zenfolio – Build a photography website with integrated print sales, client proofing, and digital downloads.
• Foap – A mobile-first platform for smartphone photography. Sell photos or join brand “Missions” for paid custom shoots.
• Snapped4U – Designed for event photographers. Mainly tailored to selling portrait, group, and wedding photos to clients or event guests.
• Pond5 – A top marketplace for stock video that also accepts photos. Ideal if you create content across multiple media types.

Frequently Asked Questions

I hope this guide helps you find the best places to sell your photos online and start generating income from your photography!

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