Introduction
In today’s digital age, selling photos has become a great way to make money online. Whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, there is a lot of potential in this field. If you want to know how to make money by selling photos, then this guide is for you. In this article, we will discuss in detail what photos can be sold, what are the requirements, what are the major photo-selling websites, and how much money you can earn from it.
The Right Types of Photography to Sell
If you want to make money selling photos, it’s important to know what types of photos sell the best. Here are some of the major photography styles:
1. Stock Photography
Stock photography refers to commonly used photos that anyone can buy. These photos are used in websites, blogs, and marketing. Their main attraction is that they are multipurpose.
2. Nature and Landscape Photography
Beautiful photos of nature have always been popular among people. Landscape photography includes photos of natural scenery, mountains, sea, and sunsets, which are often purchased for wall decoration.
3. Food photography
Attractive food photos are a must for restaurants, food bloggers, and magazines. If you can photograph delicious food, there are huge opportunities for you.
4. Fashion and Lifestyle Photography
Fashion and lifestyle photography is important for brands and blogs. There is a demand for photos related to fashion, trends, and daily lifestyle.
5. Commercial and Corporate Photography
The demand for professional business photography is rapidly increasing in the corporate world. These photographs are used in business websites, profile pictures, and advertisements.
Requirements for Selling Photos
The photos you take can be sold on online platforms only if they meet the quality criteria. Here are some of the key requirements:
1. High quality
Your images should have a high resolution so that they can be used in a variety of sizes. Images with a quality of 300 DPI (Dots Per Inch) are considered best.
2. Follow discipline and rules (Follow Guidelines)
Each stock photography website has its guidelines. You must ensure that your photos do not violate copyright laws and are free from any kind of sensitive content.
3. Model Release Form
If there are people in your photo, you will need a model release form. This document indicates that you can legally use the photos.
Popular Photo-Selling Platforms
There are many online platforms available for selling photos where you can sell your photography directly to customers. Here are some of the major websites:
1. Shutterstock
image credits: shutterstock.com
Shutterstock is a leading stock photography website where you can sell your photos. Millions of photographers upload their photos on this website and customers from all over the world buy them. Shutterstock is very simple to use and it pays good royalties to photographers.
2. Adobe Stock
image credits: stock.adobe.com
Adobe Stock is a great option for those who use Adobe Creative Cloud. You get better payouts than other platforms and your photos are visible on all Adobe platforms.
3. Getty Images
image credits: gettyimages.com
Getty Images is one of the most famous stock photography companies in the world. It is known for selling high-quality and exclusive photos. If your photos are exclusive and unique, you can increase your earnings here.
4. iStock
image credits: istockphoto.com
iStock, which is a part of Getty Images, is a great platform for small websites and blogs. This website is a better option for small photographers and is a good medium for selling as well as promoting photos.
5. Alamy
image credits: alamy.com
Alamy is another major platform where you can get royalty up to 40-50%. This website sells photos in large quantities and you can expect good profits here.
How Much Money Can Be Made by Selling Photos?
The amount of money you can earn from selling photos depends on your experience, the quality of the photos, and the demand for them. Here are some general figures:
- Shutterstock: $0.25 to $120 per photo
- Adobe Stock: $0.33 to $3.00 per download
- Getty Images: $50 to $500 per license
- iStock: $0.22 to $50 per download
As you sell more photos and your profile grows, your earnings will increase.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Selling Photos
Like every business, selling photos has its pros and cons. Here are some of them:
Benefits
- Global Exposure: You have the opportunity to exhibit your work around the world.
- Passive Income: Once you upload photos, you can earn without any extra effort.
- Creative Freedom: You can choose and capture any subject you want.
damage
- Stiff competition: There’s a lot of competition in stock photography, especially on the bigger platforms.
- It takes time to earn: In the beginning, your earnings may be very low.
- Strict Quality Checks: Your photos are subjected to rigorous checking before they are uploaded to the websites.
Conclusion
Selling photos is a very exciting and flexible way to make money, but it requires patience and consistency. If you take high-quality photos and choose the right platforms, you can make a decent income from your photography.
FAQs
1. Can I sell photos without a professional camera?
Yes, you can take high-quality photos with a smartphone and sell them, but photos taken with a camera are more effective.
2. How often should I update my photos?
You should upload new photos regularly so that your profile stays updated and reaches more people.
3. What is the best website to sell photos?
It depends on your choice and the quality of the photos. However, Shutterstock and Adobe Stock are great options for beginner photographers.
