Shutterstock is one of the most popular online platforms for stock images, videos, music, and digital assets. It’s a resource where anyone from bloggers and social media managers to big companies can find the visuals they need. But there’s more to Shutterstock than meets the eye.
Not only can you buy from Shutterstock, but you can also sell photos and make money! This article will cover everything about Shutterstock, from getting images for free and removing watermarks to tips on making money by selling your photos.
What is Shutterstock?
Shutterstock is an online library with millions of images, videos, music tracks, and design templates that people use for various projects. Founded in 2003, it has grown to be one of the world’s biggest sources of stock images, with millions of contributors worldwide.
Businesses and individuals pay for the license to use these images for their websites, ads, videos, and more. Shutterstock makes it easy to find professional-quality content for any need, and it’s a reliable resource for people looking to improve their creative projects.
Is Shutterstock Free?
While Shutterstock is primarily a paid service, there are ways to access some of its content for free. Shutterstock offers high-quality content, and creators need to be compensated for their work, so most of the images, videos, and music tracks come with a fee. However, there are a few ways to enjoy some Shutterstock content without cost.
Shutterstock Free Trial: Shutterstock offers a free trial to new users, where you can download a limited number of images without paying. This trial allows users to explore the library and see if Shutterstock is worth investing in for their future needs.
Free Weekly Image and Vector: Shutterstock also offers a free image and vector download every week. These images and vectors are carefully selected, and you can download them without signing up for a subscription.
Shutterstock Free Images: Shutterstock occasionally provides free images or collections on its website. Keep an eye out for these special collections, as they can be a great source of quality images.
Although these options provide some free images, a paid subscription or purchase option will give you full access to Shutterstock’s impressive library.
How to Get a Shutterstock Free Trial
Shutterstock's free trial lets new users try out the service by downloading images without payment for a limited period. Here’s a simple way to get started with the free trial:
Sign Up: Visit the Shutterstock website and sign up for an account.
Start the Trial: Find the free trial option on the subscription page. While signing up, you might need to enter payment details, but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends.
Download Free Images: You’ll get a limited number of free image downloads during the trial. After the trial, you can decide if you want to continue with a paid plan.
The free trial offers a risk-free way to test Shutterstock, especially if you need high-quality images and want to explore the platform before committing to a subscription.
How to Sell Photos on Shutterstock
If you’re a photographer or graphic designer, you can make money on Shutterstock by selling your work. Shutterstock allows contributors to upload and sell their images to a worldwide audience. Here’s how to get started as a Shutterstock contributor:
Create an Account: Go to Shutterstock’s contributor website and register for a contributor account.
Upload Your Work: You can upload high-quality photos, illustrations, or videos that meet Shutterstock’s quality standards. Make sure your work is sharp, properly exposed, and free from copyright restrictions.
Tag and Describe: To help people find your work, add keywords and descriptions. Accurate tagging and descriptions increase the chance of your images appearing in search results.
Submit for Approval: Each submission goes through a review process to ensure it meets Shutterstock’s standards. Once approved, your photos will be available for download, and you’ll earn a commission each time a customer purchases them.
Selling on Shutterstock is a great way to earn passive income. The more images you upload, the higher the chances of earning, especially if you upload quality photos with popular themes.
How Much Does Shutterstock Pay?
Shutterstock has a tiered payment structure for contributors, meaning the more downloads your images get, the more you earn per download. Shutterstock pays contributors based on their total lifetime earnings, which means you earn more as you climb the contributor levels. Here’s a general breakdown:
Per Download Commission: New contributors typically start at a lower commission rate, earning around $0.10 to $0.25 per download. As your sales and lifetime earnings increase, your earnings per download also increase.
Subscription vs. On-Demand Sales: Shutterstock has two main types of sales—subscription-based and on-demand. Subscription downloads usually pay a lower commission, while on-demand sales pay more per download.
Contributor Levels: The more downloads you accumulate, the higher your contributor level, increasing your commission rate. You can also earn higher payouts if your images are purchased with an extended license.
Contributors can make a steady income with Shutterstock by uploading consistently and focusing on popular or trending image themes.
How to Make Money on Shutterstock
Shutterstock offers a great opportunity for photographers and artists to make money by licensing their work. Here are some tips for maximizing your Shutterstock earnings:
Create Quality Content: High-quality, well-composed images sell best. Make sure your photos are sharp, properly exposed, and visually appealing.
Upload Frequently: Regular uploads keep your portfolio fresh and increase the chances of downloads. Consistency can help you build a large collection over time.
Follow Trends: Images that follow current trends or seasonal themes are more likely to attract buyers.
Use Keywords: Properly tag each image with relevant keywords to help customers find your work. Keywords are critical for image discovery in search results.
Build a Diverse Portfolio: A wide range of topics and themes in your portfolio can attract a broader audience.
While Shutterstock may not offer high payouts per image, building a large portfolio can lead to significant earnings over time, especially if your images are popular with buyers.
How Much Can You Make on Shutterstock?
Earnings on Shutterstock can vary widely based on portfolio size, image quality, and customer demand. Some contributors earn a few dollars a month, while others earn hundreds or even thousands. Here’s an idea of how much you can make:
Small Portfolio (100-200 Images): Typically, this could bring in $5 to $30 per month.
Medium Portfolio (500-1,000 Images): This could result in monthly earnings of $100 to $500.
Large Portfolio (1,000+ Images): Contributors with larger portfolios, who upload high-quality, in-demand images, can earn over $1,000 monthly.
The key to success on Shutterstock is building a large and diverse portfolio and consistently uploading images. By expanding your portfolio, you can improve your earning potential.
How to Remove Shutterstock Watermark
When you browse Shutterstock, you’ll notice watermarks on preview images. These watermarks are used to protect the photographers’ work and prevent unauthorized use. To legally use Shutterstock images without watermarks, you need to purchase the image. Here’s how:
Sign Up: Visit Shutterstock’s website and create an account if you don’t already have one.
Purchase a License: Select the image you want, choose a suitable license (standard or extended), and make the payment.
Download the Image: After the purchase, you’ll get a high-quality, watermark-free version of the image.
Using Shutterstock images without payment violates the company’s policies and can lead to penalties. Always buy a license to legally use and remove watermarks.
How Much is Shutterstock?
Shutterstock offers several subscription and licensing options depending on how frequently you need images. Here’s a breakdown of Shutterstock’s pricing plans:
Subscription Plans: Monthly subscription plans start at $29 for 10 downloads per month and go up to $199 for 750 downloads. These plans are ideal for regular users who need multiple images.
On-Demand Packs: For those who need images occasionally, Shutterstock offers on-demand packs, allowing users to buy image packs without a subscription. For example, 5 images cost around $49.
Team and Enterprise Plans: For companies with large-scale needs, Shutterstock offers team plans and custom enterprise solutions. These plans provide additional features, such as shared libraries and team collaboration tools.
Choosing the right plan depends on your needs. Subscription plans are ideal for those who regularly use images, while on-demand packs suit occasional users.
Conclusion
Shutterstock is a versatile platform for accessing high-quality images, videos, and music, with options for both buyers and sellers. Whether you’re a business owner looking for images for your marketing materials or a photographer aiming to make money online, Shutterstock provides a world of opportunity. Buyers can benefit from Shutterstock’s vast library and licensing options, while contributors can earn passive income by selling their work.
With trial options, various pricing plans, and the chance to make money by selling images, Shutterstock is a valuable tool for creatives and professionals. Explore Shutterstock to elevate your projects with beautiful visuals or start selling your creative work to a global audience.
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