The Top 5 Websites for Online Stock Photo and Video Sales

 

Because businesses, marketers, and content creators rely so heavily on visuals to enhance their work, there is a growing demand for high-quality stock photos and videos. Selling your work online is a fantastic way to make passive income if you are a photographer or videographer hoping to make a living off of your artistic abilities. You can sell and display your stock images and videos to a worldwide audience using a variety of platforms.  

The "5 best platforms for online stock photo and video sales are highlighted in this blog post, along with information on their features, benefits, and how to get started.  

What Are Videos and Stock Photos? 

Individuals or businesses can use licensed images, such as stock photos and videos, for a variety of purposes without having to produce their own original content. These can be used in:  

- Websites  

- Advertisements  

- Social media campaigns  

- Corporate presentations  

- Blogs and publications  

Selling stock visuals allows creatives to earn royalties while customers gain access to professional-quality media at an affordable price.  

Why Sell Stock Photos and Videos?

1. Passive Income  

Once uploaded, your visuals can generate income repeatedly without further effort.  

2. Broad Market Demand  

Businesses, bloggers, and content creators from around the world rely on stock media.  

3. Portfolio Building 

Selling stock helps you showcase your work and gain exposure.  

4. Creative Freedom

You can create and upload images or videos based on trends, personal interests, or market needs.

Top 5 Platforms for Selling Stock Photos and Videos 

1. Shutterstock  

Shutterstock is one of the largest and most well-known platforms for selling stock media. With millions of users worldwide, it offers an expansive marketplace for photographers and videographers to sell their work.  

Key Features: 

- A vast customer base ensures global exposure.  

- Accepts a wide range of media types, including photos, videos, vectors, and illustrations.  

- Flexible pricing models for customers, including subscriptions and on-demand downloads.  

Earnings:  

- Contributors earn royalties ranging from "15% to 40%" based on lifetime earnings.  

- High-quality and unique visuals can earn more due to Shutterstock’s tiered payment structure.  

   How to Get Started: 

- Sign up for a contributor account.  

- Submit samples of your work for review.

- Once approved, upload your visuals with proper keywords and descriptions to maximize discoverability.  

2. Adobe Stock 

Adobe Stock is seamlessly integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud, making it a favorite among professionals who use Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and other Adobe tools. It is an excellent platform for selling both stock photos and videos.  

Key Features:  

- Direct integration with Adobe Creative Cloud for easy uploads and usage.  

- Premium marketplace for high-end content, offering higher payouts.  

- Clear and transparent contributor dashboard for tracking performance.  

Earnings: 

- Contributors earn a "33% commission" on photos and "35% on videos", higher than many other platforms.  

- There are no minimum payout thresholds, making it easier to access earnings.  

How to Get Started: 

- Create a contributor account on Adobe Stock.

 - Upload your visuals with proper tags and metadata.  

- Once approved, your work will be visible to Adobe Stock’s vast customer base.  

3. Alamy  

Alamy is a platform known for its flexible terms and generous commission rates. It’s an excellent choice for photographers who want to sell high-quality and niche-specific visuals.  

Key Features:  

- Accepts diverse content, from standard stock images to editorial and artistic work.  

- High resolution and quality standards for contributors.  

- Non-exclusive agreements, allowing contributors to sell the same content on other platforms.  

Earnings: 

- Contributors earn up to **50% commission** on each sale, among the highest in the industry.  

- Offers additional earning opportunities for contributors willing to sell exclusively on Alamy.  

How to Get Started: 

- Sign up and submit a few sample images for quality review.    

- Once approved, upload your work with keywords and categories.  

- Track sales through Alamy’s contributor dashboard.  

4. iStock/Getty Images  

The well-known websites for selling high-quality stock images and videos are Getty Images and its subsidiary iStock. iStock serves a wider audience, whereas Getty concentrates on exclusive, high-end content.  

Important attributes:  

It is appropriate for professional-grade visuals due to its high standards of quality.  

Both exclusive and non-exclusive agreements are available, with exclusive contributors receiving larger payouts.  

A sizable consumer base that includes well-known companies, media organizations, and marketers.  

Profit:  

A commission of up to "45%" for exclusive content and "15%" for non-exclusive content.  

High earning potential for exclusive and high-end images.  

Steps to Start:

Apply by submitting a portfolio of your finest work through Getty's contributor portal.  

- If accepted, you can upload and categorize your visuals for sale.  

- Use Getty’s tools to track downloads and earnings.  

5. Pond5

Pond5 specializes in stock videos, making it an excellent platform for videographers. It provides an extensive marketplace for creative professionals and supports sound effects, music, and images as well.  

Important attributes:  

Contributors can establish their own rates thanks to the flexible pricing structure.  

HD and 4K videos are among the many types of content that are supported.  

- Provides tools for contributors to enhance search visibility and personalize metadata.  

Profit:  

One of the most generous rates in the industry allows contributors to keep up to "60% of the sale price".  

Having pricing control over distinctive or superior visuals can increase profits.  

Steps to Start:  

Create a contributor account.  

Make sure your content complies with Pond5's quality standards before uploading it.  

Optimize descriptions and tags to draw in customers.  

How to Increase Profits on Stock Exchanges  

1. Prioritize quality above quantity.  

   Make sure your images are technically sound, well-written, and pertinent to the needs of your target audience.  

2. Optimization of Keywords 

   To increase the discoverability of your work, use precise and targeted keywords. Google Trends and Keyword Tool are two examples of useful tools.  

3. Observe Market Patterns  

   To produce content that is timely and in-demand, investigate popular subjects or seasonal needs.  

4. Make Your Portfolio More Diverse  

   To reach a wider audience, post a variety of general and niche-specific content.  

5. Get Your Work Noticed 

   To increase traffic, share your portfolio on forums for photographers, personal websites, and social media.  

6. Consistency is essential.  

   Upload new material frequently to keep your portfolio current and to keep it visible on platforms.  

Difficulties and How to Get Past Them 

1. Extremely competitive  

Due to the saturation of the stock media market, it is challenging to stand out.  

Solution:

 Concentrate on distinctive, superior images and less competitive niche subjects.  

2. Low Profits for Each Download  

Particularly for non-exclusive contributors, some platforms provide reduced commissions.  

Solution:

 Investigate premium marketplaces and use a variety of platforms to boost revenue streams.  

3. Time-consuming Tagging and Keywording 

Although necessary, proper metadata can be time-consuming.  

Solution: 

Create a methodical strategy or utilize metadata templates to expedite the procedure.  

Is It Right for You to Sell Stock Media? 

Photographers and videographers who want to generate passive income should sell stock images and videos. However, it requires patience and consistent effort to build a substantial portfolio and audience.  

Who Can Benefit Most?

- Professionals: Expand your portfolio while generating extra income.  

- Hobbyists: Make money from your passion.  

- Content Creators: Make money from unutilized video or images.

  

Conclusion  

For creatives, the stock photo and video industry provide a profitable way to make money off of their abilities. By selling your images to a worldwide audience, platforms such as "Shutterstock", "Adobe Stock", "Alamy", "Getty Images/iStock", and "Pond5" offer a variety of options for generating passive income.  

You can turn your passion into a steady source of income by being aware of each platform's advantages, making the most of your portfolio, and remaining consistent. Take advantage of the constantly increasing demand for stock photos by beginning to build your portfolio right now!