How to Earn Money Online as a Stock Photographer - Getting Started With Stock Photography Websites

Stock photography sites like iStockPhoto.com and ShutterStock.com are great money making opportunities for both professional photographers and amateur photographers who are seeking to sell royalty-free photos. Once approved as a stock photography contributor, you can upload your digital photographs onto the website, earning money online every time a customer downloads a royalty-free stock photograph. Learn how to get started as a stock photographer on a stock photography website!

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A Digital Camera
• Skills as a Digital Photographer
• Internet Access
• A Computer
• Photo Editing Software like Photoshop
• A Desire to Earn Money Online Selling Royalty-Free Photos on a Stock Photography Website!

1. LEARN ABOUT STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITES: There are many, many stock photography websites that sell royalty-free photos, digital images like illustrations, video and even audio. Visit some royalty-free stock photography websites and read about the contributor guidelines. You'll want to learn about the pay structure at each website, any exclusivity clauses and other terms that can affect a digital photographer's earnings online.

2. PICK ONE OR MORE WEBSITE TO USE TO SELL ROYALTY-FREE STOCK PHOTOS ONLINE: Stock photographers should pick one of two stock photography websites to start. Don't put too many eggs in your basket in the beginning, as you will need to learn the submission requirements and guidelines at each photography website.

3. RESEARCH WHICH STOCK PHOTOS ARE MOST POPULAR ON THE SITE: Look at the stock photography website's most popular royalty-free stock photos for style and subject matter. Also browse through any editor's picks sections. This will give the digital photographer a better idea of what types of photographs the website is seeking, therefore helping improve one's chances of getting approved as a stock photography contributor.

4. APPLY TO BE A ROYALTY-FREE STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTOR: The best stock photography websites will have an application process. You will need to submit a handful of sample photographs for review; select these digital images based on what you learned by looking at the most popular photos and editor's picks photos.

5. ONCE YOU'RE ACCEPTED AS A CONTRIBUTOR AT A STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE...Contribute as many quality digital images as you can! Many stock photographers earn hundreds - even thousands of dollars - each month from royalty-free stock photography websites. The key to earning money online by selling royalty-free stock images is quality and quantity: submit a wide array of high-quality digital images and watch the money roll in!

Resources

• A Guide to Selling Stock Photography Online