Shutterstock is one of the best-known stock-content marketplaces, licensing photographs, illustrations, vectors and video to buyers worldwide. This review is about the contributor side: what it has actually earned for my portfolio, what kinds of images have sold, and why stock income should be judged without unrealistic promises.
Shutterstock is a legitimate outlet for my work and has generated more licensed downloads than the other agencies in this series. It is not, however, a dependable wage. My results are long-term, irregular and heavily shaped by the type of material I choose to shoot.
My Shutterstock results
As of September 2026, my Shutterstock account shows 4,484 images, 964 licensed image downloads and $468.75 in lifetime earnings. I joined in May 2014. The account also shows $24.21 unpaid earnings at the time of the screenshot.
The dashboard is useful evidence that a large back catalogue can keep receiving licences. It is also a reality check: several thousand files do not automatically create a high income. Stock photography takes time before and after the upload—shooting, editing, selecting, keywording, releases and quality control—and results can remain modest.
An important limitation of my portfolio
My figures should not be compared directly with the income of contributors who specialise in people-based commercial photography. My portfolio is mainly nature, wildlife, flowers, landscapes, travel locations, castles and other non-model subjects. I do not generally produce the staged images with recognisable people and signed model releases that many businesses need for advertising, lifestyle, healthcare, work, family and other commercial concepts.
Images with people and correct model releases can, in theory, address a wider range of commercial uses and may therefore offer more sales opportunities than a portfolio made primarily of scenery, animals and travel photographs. That is not a guarantee of higher earnings—quality, concept, keywording and competition still matter—but it is an important reason why my numbers are not a like-for-like comparison with contributors who build their portfolios around commercial models.
What my best-selling images have in common
My top performers show that non-model content can still find buyers when it is specific and usable. A pig farm image has generated 93 downloads and $41.22. Other leading files include cherry blossom trees at Wavertree Botanic Garden in Liverpool, Lowther Castle in Cumbria, Powis Castle in Wales, dolphins and wildlife photographs.
The pattern is not “photograph anything and it will sell.” The best performers tend to have a clear, searchable subject or location. They can fit a buyer’s need for agriculture, travel, wildlife, seasonal nature or a recognisable landmark. Specific, accurate metadata gives those images a chance to meet the right search.
What current earnings look like
September 2026 is a good example of why monthly results should be read carefully. The account shows three downloads for $0.30 total, or $0.10 each. A download is a real licence, but not every licence carries a large royalty. Earnings vary by licence, customer plan and the type of content sold.
How Shutterstock works for contributors
Contributors upload original work for review. Once accepted, a buyer can license an image, video, illustration or vector under Shutterstock’s available licensing options. The contributor receives a royalty; Shutterstock manages the marketplace, search system, licensing and payment process. Exact royalty amounts and payout terms can change, so the current rules should always be checked in the official contributor documentation.
- Submit technically solid files. Check focus, noise, exposure, distracting details and the final crop.
- Use accurate titles and keywords. Name the species, location, concept or landmark when it is genuinely visible.
- Understand releases. Recognisable people and private property may require releases for commercial use.
- Build useful variety. Related images can serve buyers better, while near-duplicates can weaken a submission.
- Measure the result. Use download and earnings history to discover which subjects actually work for your portfolio.
For a wider approach, read my guide to selling photos online and my practical article on getting more stock-photo sales.
Is Shutterstock worth it?
It can be worth adding if you have a disciplined stock workflow and realistic expectations. For me, Shutterstock has generated 964 licensed downloads and $468.75 over many years from a portfolio that does not target the widest commercial category: model-released people photography. That makes it a genuine extra outlet, not a shortcut to full-time income.
Referral disclosure: If you choose to join through my Shutterstock contributor referral link, I may receive a commission. It does not add a cost to you. Use it only if the platform fits your own portfolio and goals.
For current contributor requirements, royalties and payment details, consult the official Shutterstock Contributor portal.
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condruzmf
This is probably the 2nd post I read recently on similar topics on how photos taken can be used to generate income. From your post, i noticed that Shutterstock has a better payouts as compared to the one i got to know recently, and I think you have recommended a good one indeed. Good job and thank you for sharing this wonderful opportunity to generate income.
Thanks Teo, Shutterstock is on the top – indeed
Wow this was really interesting and something I”m going to have a look into. Thanks for the review it was very informative.
Glad you found my review worthy, cheers
I have heard about selling photos, but never checked into it. This is great info, Thanks!
Good to go Andy, ask if you need further guidance – I am here to help
I didn’t realise that just anybody could sign up to sell their personal images via Shutterstock.
What a great opportunity for budding photographers to get their work out there and known to the wider community, and earn an income to boot.
Thank you for the article, really interesting.
Thanks Fran, glad you find it useful
I have joined a program before that pays for selling images. I found that you have to put a lot of images out there to get any return.
How many images do you need to start showing some income and do they have a minimum payout per month.
I think I will look into this, as I have thousands of photos, some are almost 75 years old. Does Shutterstock categorize their photos by subject.
John
Hi john,
To get accepted with Shutterstock you have to first submit 10 photos. After they will accept your work, you’ll
become a contributor. The minimum payout is 75$.
About how many photos you need to make money… it is very different from one photographer to another
For example: a landscape photographer with thousands of photos will almost sure have less sales than a photographer
who shoots persons. Note then if you upload photos with people you’ll need a model release
After reading this review, I would definitely say that Shutterstock is a great option for photographers to submit their work to. It seems very good platform that’s easy to use, but protects the photographer at the same time. The fact that it’s a global-based network is really nice!
Thanks Lynn, I am glad you found my post useful
Condruzmf,
I like to say that this review is awesome, as a blogger myself I like to get my pictures for my blog from free-royalty sites.
However, I do know it can be a bit frustrating to find content on this site. On the future I am planning to suscribe to shutterstock, so that I can get good quality photos, and actually find the visual content I am looking for.
Thanks,
Stefano.
Indeed Shutterstock is worthy
Shutterstock seems to be a very well organized system for anyone to share their photos in the hope of making a few extra bucks. I imagine that there are many contributors who never pass the payment threshold, but as with anything like this, there will be a few who are making a very comfortable living by doing something that they love doing. I do use some of there images from time to time and always manage to find an image suitable for my needs.
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, Shutterstock is great! It is tricky to earn from it, I only got 2 times paid until now but I keep uploading
new photos and my earnings started going up faster
Very interesting and informative content. I have only seen some grammatical errors – otherwise everything is explained very well.
I can imagine that a lot of photographers will follow your advice and be very happy about the commission structure and the good reputation of this company.
Maybe you can think of putting on some more pictures to the various headlines?
I hope you can return the favor and check my website.
Good luck
Angelika Sesterheim
Thanks for showing my mistakes and for your advise. As I am not native English, I might mess up with grammar
each there 🙂 I just hope this will not be a very bad experience for my readers …
Thanks for sharing your very detailed review of Shutterstock site. This is a highly reputable company for selling images. I did a short research once before and even thought about using the platform one day. I’ll bookmark your site for the future reference. Thanks again.
Thank you Ivan, I’m glad to be helpful
Great information. I do have some questions though. First of all, is there a way to improve your chances of actually having someone purchasing your photos? For example, with a website you can increase SEO.
Also, I’m sure there is some in-photo techniques you can use to take high quality, desirable photos like using a certain brand of camera or photo editing apps. Do you have any suggestions how to make selling photos on Shutterstock easier?
Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Chris,
Absolutely! Beside the image quality, which is a must, you have to do something very similar to SEO
When uploading photos to Shutterstock for approval, you are asked to provide a description and a maximum
of 50 keywords – as so the buyers will be able to find it.
You can research keywords and include some in your description, in the same way you’re dealing with SEO 😉
I use Shutterstock, but form buying side. However, after lecture of your post I’m considering to start selling my pictures. Do you know whether pixabay offers such opportunity?
On Pixabay you can upload photos in order to be downloaded for free – with free to use rights.
But you may hope for paypal donations, this is asked from the one who’s downloading your
photo… if he wishes so
Thanks for this post, I didn’t realise that you could make money from the photos you have on your phone. I will definitely be looking into this as like everyone else I have a lot of photos on my phone.
I hadn’t heard of shutterstock before but thanks to your post I know all about it now.
Thanks for an interesting post.
Frank
You’re welcome Frank,
Please ask if you need further guidance – I’m here to help
Thank you so much, this is a good idea for making some extra money online, especially if you like taking pictures, but there is another side I am interested in, Is there an offer for free down loads, I did not see that mentioned. I
Hi there, First let me thank you for the nice words. For free photos, I ll suggest to simply download from sites that offers free full rights photos. Just google for free photos and you ll find plenty
What a great niche! This is not one you hear about often. Looks like fun! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks Beth, indeed you can take some advantage with this one if you like photography
Shutterstock is amazing, use it often to find the highest quality images. Thanks for broadening my horizons in knowing you can earn a little bit of cash on the side by submitting photos here too. Great work indeed.
Hi Will, you’re right… this is the idea. In stock photography, some are contributing and some are buying… isn’t beauty?
My account was suspended. They replied: “Your Shutterstock account has been terminated and will not be reinstated due to suspicious activity flagged in our system. For security reasons no additional information can be provided.” This is absolutely ridiculous! I did NOTHING wrong! I sent them pictures of my license, passport, and birth certificate. They won’t provide any more information about their decision. They humiliated me!
Hi,
I am sorry to hear something like that happened to you. I have no idea what could have occurred or heard about something like this ever.
About humiliation, please don’t go there. You’ll only hurt yourself 😉 Please check Adobe Stock, as they are equals – a perfect place to sell your photos and videos. Or Dreamstime or many other stock photography sites. I wish you luck, and please don’t suffer for a most likely other’s human mistake. Cheers
What a nice concept of shutterstock, I am currently working on!
Good luck with your application. If any help is needed, please contact me as I am with Shutterstock for years. I can help, cheers