Best Platforms to Sell Photos Online and Make Money

How to earn money online through photography

September 16, 2023, 12:47 PM
by Kawser Md Sayem

UNB News
Publish- September 16, 2023, 12:47 PM
Kawser Md Sayem
Update- September 16, 2023, 01:37 PM

Best Platforms to Sell Photos Online and Make Money

Representtional image: FreePik

Passion for photography transcends mere snapshots; it's a journey of capturing emotions, stories, and moments frozen in time. In today's digital age, this passion can also be a gateway to a rewarding online income stream. The scope of earning by selling photos online is offering photographers a chance to turn their creativity into a lucrative revenue source. It even holds some exciting prospects for shaping up a fulfilling career. Let’s get introduced to the most popular platforms to sell photos online and make money.

7 Best Platforms to Make Money by Selling Photos Online

Adobe Stock

To participate in Adobe Stock content creation, contributors must meet a minimum age requirement of 18 years. For those new to Adobe, they can visit the Adobe Stock Contributor portal (https://contributor.stock.adobe.com) and click the "Join Now" button to create an Adobe ID.

Contributors from Bangladesh should use tax documents like W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E.

Once registration is completed, contributors can start submitting their content to Adobe Stock. However, if the pictures are of a recognized person or someone else's personal property, the contributors’ signature will be required to confirm ownership.

The site pays a 33 percent royalty for each stock image. Contributors typically earn a minimum of USD 0.33 (BDT. 36.23) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756] to a maximum of USD 21.12 (BDT. 2,318.46) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756] per image. In this way, they can request payment if the deposit is a minimum of 25 USD (BDT. 2,744.39) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756].

Shutterstock

Applicants must be at least 18 years old to get started. To register, they can visit shutterstock's official website and sign up for a Shutterstock contributor account.

Once registered, contributors can start uploading their content. To activate their contributor status, they need to submit several photos. The content will be reviewed by expert team members, and after approval of the first piece of content, the account becomes fully active.

Contributors must include uploading only their original work or content for which they hold copyright. Bangladeshi contributors must submit their tax information through W-8BEN forms.

Earnings are divided into six levels, ranging from 15 to 40 percent based on yearly image licenses or downloads.

For instance, if a customer buys the USD 111.20 package for 30 photos, contributors who receive a 15 percent royalty here will earn 56 cents (BDT 61.44) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756] per image. In this manner, they can request a withdrawal only after accumulating a minimum of USD 25 (BDT 2,744.39) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756].

Bangladeshis can choose Payoneer to withdraw the amount and bring it to their local bank account.

Representtional image: FreePik

Getty Images and iStock

As both of these sites are owned by the same company, all rules and regulations regarding graphic content are consistent. Applications are accepted exclusively through the Contributor by Getty Images and iStock apps, available on the App Store or Google Play.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply. The submission process requires uploading 3 to 6 sample photos and illustrations, with an emphasis on being the copyright holder. Acceptance notifications are sent via email.

Getty Images pays a 20 percent royalty for each licensed image, while iStock pays royalties ranging from 15 to 45 percent for each photo license. This equates to earnings ranging from less than USD 1 to several hundred US dollars, which is approximately less than BDT. 100 to around BDT. 20,000 [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756].

Payments can be received through Payoneer in USD, a benefit that Bangladeshis can enjoy.

Stocksy

To apply, applicants can submit their application through Stocksy's Call To Artists page from their official website and await approval from the review team. Once approved, they can create a Stocksy account. They will be allowed to fill in an application form to introduce themselves and upload 10 images for review.

Stocksy offers higher prices and royalties, with 50% from regular purchases and 75% from extended licenses. It ranges from 15 (BDT. 1,646.63) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756] to a maximum of USD 400 (BDT. 43,910.16) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756].

The commission for extended licenses is 75 percent. This royalty ranges from a minimum of USD 100 (BDT. 10,977.54) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756] to a maximum of USD 10,800 (BDT. 11,85,574.32) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756].

Payments are facilitated through Payoneer as well as the other payment modes.

Dreamstime

The registration process is the same for both the buyers and sellers. To register, every 18-year-old seller can simply create an account and then pass an examination test by uploading some of their best files.

Once they pass, they can upload their files for sale, which also will be inspected before appearing on the website. Contributors should ensure that they are the authors of the uploaded files and possess all necessary rights and documents.

Non-exclusive contributors receive royalties of 25 percent per image, ranging from 35 cents to over USD 40, which converts to more than BDT. 33 to over BDT. 4,000 [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756]. Dreamstime's exclusive tier of stock photographers can earn royalties of up to 60 percent per sale.

If the balance of this income reaches USD 100(BDT. 10,977.54) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756] or more, they can apply for payment, which Bangladeshis can withdraw through Payoneer.

Representtional image: FreePik

123RF

To contribute to 123RF, creating an account on their official website is the first step. During the registration process, make sure to check the box entitled 'Sign-up as 123RF photographer/contributor' and fill in the details accordingly. Proceed to the "Upload Images" section and comply with the Photo Contributor Agreement on 123RF.com.

They officially become a 123RF contributor, once they've uploaded a valid form of ID documentation and have passed the initial 10-image submission.

The commission depends on the Contributor Level, which starts at 30 percent for Contributor Level 1 and can reach up to 60 percent at Contributor Level 8. It ranges from 216 to 432 cents, which is BDT. 23 to BDT. 47 [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756].

At least USD 25 (BDT 2,744.39) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756] can be withdrawn, and Bangladeshis can receive it through Payoneer.

Deposit Photos

To become a part of this site's buyer community, the sellers need to go directly to their official website. All they need is to be 18 or older, register a contributor’s account, and pass a brief examination test by uploading a few of their best photos.

After successfully passing the test, they'll be able to upload the images to the site for sale. All the files uploaded will be checked by ‘Deposit Photos’ platform's inspectors, and once they pass inspection, they'll appear on the website and become available to buyers.

Royalty rates range from a minimum of 30 to a maximum of 38 percent when images are purchased through on-demand downloads under standard or extended licenses. When photos are purchased with DepositPhotos' subscription plans, royalty rates range from a minimum of 25 cents(BDT. 27) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756] to a maximum of 33 cents(BDT. 33) [USD 1 = BDT 109.7756].

Like the other six, this site also supports Peony. This means Bangladeshis can easily transfer their earned money to their bank using this gateway.

Verdict

So far, we have discussed 7 renowned platforms to sell photos online. However, making money by selling photographies on these international platforms depends on the contributor's level, the type of content, and the licensing options. If the target is large exposure and sales opportunities, Shutterstock and Adobe Stock would be the best options. Exclusive contributors with high download rates can harness distinct leverages on platforms like Getty Images, iStock, and Dreamstime. Stocksy tends to provide the highest rate of all, demanding a high level of artistry as well. It leaves 123RF and ‘Deposit Photos’ for beginners to easily grow their portfolio.