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.
In This Article
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.
Pros
- Seamless workflow with Lightroom and Creative Cloud
- High global exposure due to Adobe’s dominance
- Allows non-exclusive licensing
- Free Adobe Portfolio to promote your work
- Accepts multiple asset types (photo, video, vector, etc.) and AI-generated content
Cons
- Lower royalty rate (33%) compared to some competitors
- Large marketplace means steep competition
- Not ideal for highly niche or artistic work
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.
Pros
- Massive customer base and brand recognition
- Supports a wide range of file types including video, music, and illustrations
- Non-exclusive rights give you flexibility
- Referral program for added income
- Includes personalized contributor portfolio with tracking
Cons
- Low starting royalty (15%) compared to some competitors
- High competition due to sheer volume of assets
- Success often requires frequent uploads and a large catalog
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.
Pros
- One of the most reputable names in the industry
- Massive global buyer base for maximum exposure
- Offers both exclusive and non-exclusive contributor options
- Access to Getty’s editorial and premium licensing programs
- Higher commissions available with exclusivity and volume
Cons
- Low starting royalty rate (15%) for non-exclusive contributors
- Highly competitive with strict quality and keywording standards
- No real storefront or branding for individual photographers
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.
Expert Tip:
Macrostock sites are more selective about the artists they accept as their contributors as well as the images they accept…
In my opinion, it’s worth it to push through the acceptance process for a passive income stream that can make an immense contribution to your monthly income. If you want to increase your chances of being accepted, show the agency that you have the content their customers are looking for now!
Aubrey Westlund
Professional Photographer, Coach, and
Passive Income Expert for Creatives
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.
Pros
- High commission potential (up to 50%)
- 100% commission for students for 2 years
- Includes analytics to track performance
- Non-exclusive licensing allows cross-platform sales
- User-friendly app to upload and sell from your phone
Cons
- Smaller buyer base than Adobe Stock or Shutterstock
- Lower visibility may lead to slower initial sales
- Must earn at least $250 in gross sales annually for standard 40% rate (you’ll need 25K+ gross revenue to earn a 50% rate)
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.
Pros
- Flexibility to sell photos exclusively or non-exclusively
- High commission rates—even on the free plan you’ll receive 60% for exclusive images while Pro subscribers keep 100% (all contributors receive 25% on non-exclusive images, regardless of plan)
- Built-in exposure tools like the Pulse algorithm and Discovery feed
- Analytics dashboard to track performance and trends
- Available-for-hire directory and custom profile (Pro feature)
- Active community with contests and peer feedback
Cons
- Not beginner-friendly—only high-quality submissions are accepted
- Requires a monthly fee for full selling privileges and visibility (around $7-$13/month)
- Marketplace is curated, so not all images are approved for sale
- Lower commission rate on non-exclusive images than some alternatives
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.
Pros
- High commission rates—50% for regular licensing ($15-$400 sale price) and 75% for extended licenses ($100-$10,800 sale price)
- Exclusive agency with strong brand reputation
- Artist-owned co-op; contributors can participate in elections, resolutions, voting, and annual general meetings
- Curated marketplace with less saturation
- Ideal for unique, stylized, and editorial photography
Cons
- Very selective application and onboarding process (less than 30% approval rate)
- Requires exclusive licensing—can’t sell elsewhere
- Not ideal for high-volume, general commercial content
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.
Stand Out & Sell More
Tired of marketplace commissions? With Envira Gallery + Woo, you can showcase your photos and sell directly—no middlemen, no extra fees.
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.
Pros
- Set your own pricing with strong profit potential
- Full control over product displays and shop branding
- Sell both digital and physical items featuring your photography
- Large, built-in customer base with specific niche interest
- Offsite Ads program automatically markets your listings (15% fee only when it leads to a sale)
Cons
- Requires you to manage order fulfillment for physical items
- Listing, transaction, and processing fees can add up
- You’ll need to pay $10 a month to access more perks like no listing fees, store customizations, and Etsy Ad credits
- Success depends heavily on shop design, SEO, and marketing effort
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.
Pros
- Keep 85% of your profits with custom pricing
- Sell photo prints on a wide variety of surfaces and products
- Includes private galleries and client proofing tools
- Unlimited photo storage with RAW file support
- Pre-built website templates and event site options
Cons
- Sales features only available on higher-tier plans ($28+/month)
- No built-in marketplace—you’ll need to promote your storefront
- Limited digital download features compared to stock-focused platforms
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.
Pros
- Pre-built templates for building your own photography site
- Built-in eCommerce with pro print lab fulfillment
- Private galleries and client proofing tools
- Mobile app for uploads, pricing, and image management
- You control your pricing and retain full ownership
Cons
- Requires a monthly subscription (starting at $10/month)
- 8%–10% transaction fee on every sale
- Fewer design customization options than full website builders
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.
Pros
- Calendar-style galleries help clients easily find their photos
- Upload high-res images or videos and set custom prices
- Automatic watermarking and logo branding
- Staff management tools for multi-photographer teams
- Buyers can instantly share their purchases to social media
Cons
- Best suited for group-based event or activity photography
- No built-in marketing or marketplace for broader discovery
- 20%–25% commission is high compared to a self-hosted website
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
Which website is best for selling photos?
Your own website is unquestionably the best place to sell photos online. You maintain complete control and avoid commission fees entirely. Creating a WordPress photography site with Envira Gallery makes this process straightforward. That said, most stock sites don’t require exclusive rights, allowing you to sell through your website while generating passive income from other platforms simultaneously.
For beginners, Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and iStock by Getty Images provide excellent starting points with their massive reach. Professional photographers with high-quality portfolios might prefer Alamy, 500px, or Stocksy for their premium positioning and higher commissions.
Can I sell the same photo on multiple websites?
Yes, you can sell the same photo on multiple websites—as long as the platforms allow non-exclusive licensing. Before uploading, always check the licensing terms of each site to avoid violating contributor agreements.
Most stock photo sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Alamy, and Dreamstime offer non-exclusive agreements, which means you retain full ownership and can upload the same image to other platforms. However, some agencies—such as Stocksy or Getty Images—require exclusive rights, meaning you can only license the photo through their platform if accepted. Exclusive platforms often pay higher commissions but limit your ability to distribute elsewhere.
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.
Unlike microstock sites (e.g., Shutterstock or iStock), which usually pay between $0.25 and $10 per download, macrostock agencies can pay $100–$500+ for a single image license, depending on usage rights and client type.
- Getty Images has reported licenses exceeding $500 per photo.
- Stocksy pays up to 75% royalties for extended licenses.
- Alamy offers up to 50% commission, with flexible non-exclusive terms.
While these platforms have stricter application processes and competitive standards, the potential earnings per image are much higher, making them ideal for professional photographers looking to license high-quality work at scale.
How much money can you make selling photos online?
Earnings from selling photos online can range from a few dollars to over $100,000 per year, depending on your strategy, content volume, and platform.
Most photographers earn between $500 and $5,000 annually from stock photography, according to industry data. However, top contributors who upload consistently and target in-demand subjects across multiple platforms can earn six figures or more.
Here are key factors that influence your income:
- Content volume: Successful sellers often have thousands of images across several sites
- Platform choice: Commission rates vary widely by site (15% to 75%)
- Image quality: Unique, high-resolution images tend to sell better
- Subject matter: Commercial, trending, or niche topics often outperform generic content
- Consistency: Regular uploads and portfolio growth drive long-term earnings
- Portfolio branding: A recognizable style can attract loyal buyers and repeat clients
Selling photos online is rarely a get-rich-quick strategy, but with volume, strategy, and patience, it can become a meaningful stream of passive income.
What kind of photos sell the most online?
The best-selling photos online are typically authentic, high-quality images that meet the needs of marketers, advertisers, bloggers, and business owners. Stock photography buyers look for relatable, versatile content that aligns with current trends.
According to industry data and reports like Shutterstock’s Creative Trends, the top-performing categories include:
- People – Candid photos of diverse individuals across ages, cultures, and body types. Images showing real emotions, natural imperfections, and everyday life consistently sell well.
- Business & Technology – Scenes of people working remotely, collaborating in offices, using laptops or digital devices are always in demand.
- Food – Styled meals, cooking processes, and flat-lays of dishes are popular for social media and editorial content.
- Travel & Landscapes – Destination photography, scenic views, and nature backdrops sell year-round.
- DIY & Crafts – Images of home projects, tools, or hands-on activities appeal to content creators and lifestyle brands.
- Urban Life – Cityscapes, transportation, modern architecture, and street scenes are commonly used in marketing and design.
- Nature & Wildlife – Outdoor adventures, forest trails, animals, and seasonal landscapes maintain steady appeal across platforms.
To increase sales, focus on creating authentic, well-lit images with clear composition—and stay up to date with seasonal and emerging visual trends. Keep in mind that the stock photography market is dynamic, with platforms frequently updating their terms, commission rates, and areas of focus.
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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Good article.
I went to Shuttersotck full of hope. I register, confirm my mail, and then ask me for my address which is was kind of weird to me, but I agreed. But then ask me for a picture of my passport or ID,… that was all my relationship with them.
I know they may have many reason to request for that but they also are a private site and a passport or ID are really sensitive information. If I have a PayPal account or any other account for received the payment I think thus should be enough.
The worst part is they ask for a fully detailed picture of the passport not only the name or the age.
Finally what is bother the most is they don’t ask for that data in the first step. You have to register, then give your address and finally when probably most people don’t agree to that ask for your passport picture, when they allready have plenty of info about you. For the ones who agreed to that, hope they don’t request blood type or something like that in the steep 4.
There is a reason – people try to post pictures that they have stolen or that infringe copyright – so they want to make sure you are who you say you are – if you get banned it is then less likely that you can just re-register. They are protecting themselves and your pictures too.
Amazing list of resources.
However PhotoShelter is too expensive for a photographer whose starting out. The same functionalities are offered by other platforms like Pixpa. I’ve had an e-commerce store for selling prints with Pixpa since almost a year, the sales are not regular but its an excellent source of side income.
Plenty of websites are offering money for uploading the images to their website as the pictures which have creativity getting more popularity and money according to that it is decided the price of the photo. Some of the trusted website in which you can trust blindly is Shutterstock as it is most trusted site from my view.
Add Dreamstime to the list, please!
I just joined Shutterstock and it is very particular. I submitted a photo of a sundog and it was rejected because the sun was out of focus!! Out of 103 submissions, 71 were rejected, some for dumb reasons such as needed to be in english, even tho it is, or the title didn’t match the photo, even tho it does. People in bleachers all need model releases, even if they are wearing sunglasses and are not identifiable. Just be aware if you go here. They said a dog needed a model release!!!
With a site as reputable as shutterstock you can’t just go take a bunch of random pictures on your walk through the park and expect them to approve them. The pictures need to be of good quality and and have simple titles as described by their starter faq. As for people on bleachers and dogs needing model releases of course. Model releases are their to protect not only the person/animal being photographed but it also protects the “artist” and shutterstock. If ANYTHING should happen during or after the life of someone or something you photographed they could bring your stock image up in court and cost the company thousands of dollars and could easily bankrupt you. They’ve been doing this for 15+ years to my understanding. They know what they are doing because they’ve seen and done it all before.
Take a look at pixels.com or Fine Art America, same company. I’ve been using them for approx 10 yrs. $30 year fee, unlimited photos. You set the fee for each photo. They do everything else. Metal, Canvas, Cups, Sheets, Shower Curtains the list goes on. Little effort to use and it’s free for 30 days.
Thank You Chuck! Good info!
It’s true. The market is saturated and people take their own pictures these days. It’s difficult if not impossible to make a living or any money at all selling pictures. Most people will find it more profitable to do any minimum wage job. Unless you have a special niche and are extremely aggressive at marketing.
I’ve sold images through Shutterstock, Twenty20, and Abobe Stock, and tried plenty of other sites including Alamy, EyeM, 123RF and Dreamstime
Alamy are the most picky. What’s more, they literally ban you from uploading for weeks if you upload something they don’t like.
Beware of Dreamstime – you cannot leave! You can delete all your content but they will continue to sell it. Very dubious practises.
Twenty20 and EyeM have, by far, the easiest Model Release methods, and they pay out immediately rather than having to reach a threshold. They also have regular and free missions to encourage you to upload your best on topic images – more sites should do this.
Shutterstock and Abobe – you don’t get much per image, so you have to have sold a lot before they pay out.
123RF – They often don’t review your images for weeks. When you poke them about it, you suddenly find the last 20 were unacceptable. Very slap dash.
In summary, Twenty20 and EyeM are recommended. Shutterstock and Adobe also recommended if you in it for the long game.
I have a few alerts about some of these websites for people who are just starting:
AdobeStock – Great site. Pays well. Does not accept editorial content.
Shutterstock – Rarely will you get more than $0.25 for a download.
Alamy – Extremely easy to upload. Good information form to fill out for each photo. The downside is that even after being a collaborator for over a year, I haven’t got one download yet. Even though on many of the other websites, I have multiple downloads. Doesn’t let you create collections.
Crestock – I made an account over 6 months ago and uploaded 9 photos for review. They never got reviewed.
500px – Seems like a good website. The only problem is that the watermark they put on the photos is very small. Anyone that wants their photos for web use, can get it directly from the site without paying. This also happens with Stocksy, which I really wanted to collaborate with, since they payout 50% to the photographers.
I loved what you shared, I will combine it with what I am doing to improve my income.
Thank you.
Very informative article. I would like to recommend to sell photo item on Shutterstock marketplace as a vendor. It’s a huge marketplace and there has many visitors. In the last 6 months, their visit was over 72 million. Really it is huge. Adobe Stock also good but personally I’m not interested in their marketing policy.
Thank you very much such a great article.
Hi, Very useful information – does it make a difference if the photos are taken by a normal, professional or even phone camera? Also, are there any rules/terms regarding the editing/effects of the photos uploaded?
Last questions, which I am sure is very broad, what is the average price of photos taken by phone cameras?
I’m a hobby photographer shooting with a Nikon D5500. The only site I’ve tried to sell my work on is Shutterstock. Out of ~50 photos uploaded ~20 were approved. Some were rejected for being ‘overprocessed’ when I purposely post processed them for my desired effect. So if you’re a Pink Floyd fan Shutterstock is probably not going to be good for you. Others were rejected for ‘subject is not in focus’. These were vast landscape photographs, where it’s impossible to have everything in perfect focus. Some of these I resubmitted and the new reviewer approved them. This proves inconsistencies in their review process. It just depends on what employee reviews your work and what mood they were in at that time.
Out of the 20 photos that were approved, I have a total of 5 sales over almost 2 years, paid out at $0.25 each. Not counting the time and expenses of going out to take these photos (I don’t count these expenses because I’m not a pro and I was just doing something that I enjoy) I spent 4-5 hours over the course of several days to register, process my photos, upload my material, and resubmit. Now almost 2 years later I have $1.25 from my efforts. Since uploading on Shutterstock, I’ve learned that the older your content gets the lower it goes on search results. Eventually nobody will ever see your work here, unless you keep uploading (current work will only be seen). So much for passive income.
My advice is don’t waste your time with Shutterstock unless you have time and are willing to put energy into constantly uploading, resubmitting, and doing your own marketing, and in the end they will make 10x more than you from your work. If you’re willing to do all that you might as well start your own web site.
Fun fact, making 2.5 sales per year at $0.25 per sale, I will have to wait 2,000 years to make minimum wage for the photos I’ve had accepted at Shutterstock. Oh and you have to hit $75 before you can cash out, so maybe in 100 years I’ll get my $75 if I haven’t been dead for 60 years (which is likely). This is probably what they’re counting on for 95% of their content providers.
Then if I want to cover my field session time and expenses and sales are steady, I’ll be in the black in about 200,000 years. Cheers!
Thank you very much for all this information.
Shutterstock on this list? What a joke! They lowered the photographer revenue to 10c per photo sale. Who wants to sell their photos for 10c?
Interesting article and subject!
Making money with photography sounds like the stuff of dreams, doesn’t it? Especially if you’ve loved picking up a camera and getting creative for as long as you can remember.
You’d get to indulge in one of your true passions on a daily basis, finely tune your skills, learn more about humans and what makes them tick, create beautiful pieces of art and still manage to pay your bills at the same time.
You could wave goodbye to your unfulfilling 9-5, stop having to answer to your boss and start living life on your own terms.
It’s not going to be easy, of course.
Hope we can all make some more money online and especially with photography.
Cheers!
Franklin
Thank you so much for this post. I am really passionate about photography and travel. I had the same question ”How do I sell my photos online?”. I wish I had found this article earlier. It was really an eye-opener.
I hope it helps someone and thank you for another great article 🙂
Completely agree with R’s comment above. Shutterstock should not be on this list!! Their new lowered fee structure of paying photographers 10c per photo sale is an absolute insult.
Don’t waste your time with Shutterstock!
Thank you very much for the recommendations. I have used several of them and some of them count more impressions, others pay better, in short each one has its own.
I strive to post only unique content on my site, and this applies not only to articles, but also to photographs. For a long time I could not figure out where to get high-quality photos for my site. I took some photos myself, but I have no special skills and a professional camera. Your article helped me figure out my problem. Thank you for helping me make my site better!
Personally, I believe that giving control to the third-party website is not a good strategy and staying in control of your price and transactions is ultimately a better strategy.
Howdy! I use and love Envira Gallery Pro and wanted to pass along another great place to sell your photos: Photo Art Pavilion
I just started with them at the end of November and have sold 5 photos so far. They handle everything once you upload your images – packing, shipping, matting, frames and so on. And take a look at my photos 🙂
Shutterstock was a waste of time. Also, making only 20 – 30% on my work that costs them very little to keep on site, its not worth it.
* How do you feel about using things Instagram to promote your photos? Is it a good way to get brand exposure, or is it a bad idea because of the possibility of theft??
You should become a Shutterstock Contributor—it’s a great way to get money, experience, and more work for your portfolio.
High standard, and not easy.
What does the average photo sell for?
Hi Julian, that’s difficult to answer since it depends on a number of factors including the photo, the platform, and the license type. Photos can sell for a few cents up to hundreds of dollars.
Platforms like Smugmug and Etsy allow the photographer to set their own prices while sites like Adobe Stock and Shutterstock have preset pricing that ranges based on the number of purchased images or subscription plan. For example, a pack of 2 Shutterstock images comes out to a selling price of $11 per photo, but a monthly subscription for up to 750 images works out to a selling price of only $0.26 per photo.
Interesting to read