15 Websites That Pay You For Your Photography (Make $7000 Extra Monthly)

Are you sitting on a goldmine of stunning photos that are just collecting digital dust? While other photographers are turning their passion into serious monthly income, you might be missing out on thousands in potential earnings. Every day that passes is another missed opportunity to monetize your creativity.

The frustration of seeing mediocre photos selling online while your exceptional work remains unseen can be disheartening. Add to that the rising cost of photography gear, and it feels like your hobby is draining your wallet instead of filling it.

But here’s the game-changer: 15 legitimate websites are actively seeking photographers like you, ready to pay premium rates for quality shots. Some photographers are quietly earning up to $7,000 monthly through these platforms. Ready to transform your photography from a passion project into a profitable venture?

1. Shutterstock

Shutterstock

Shutterstock is a leading platform where individuals and businesses can buy and sell royalty-free images, illustrations, videos, and music. It serves as a marketplace for creative professionals, offering a vast library of high-quality visual and audio content for a variety of needs, including marketing, advertising, web design, and content creation.

For creators, Shutterstock provides an opportunity to monetize their work by becoming contributors. If you have high-quality photos, videos, or music tracks, you can sign up as a contributor to showcase and sell your content.

Contributors earn a commission every time their work is purchased, and the amount they make depends on the popularity and demand for their content.

To get started, contributors need to create an account on Shutterstock and submit a few of their best works for review. This ensures that only high-quality and original content is added to the platform. Once approved, you can begin uploading your portfolio.

The platform offers a global reach, giving your work exposure to millions of potential buyers from different industries. By consistently uploading fresh, high-quality content, contributors can maximize their earning potential.

2. Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images is one of the largest and most reputable stock photo agencies in the world, making it an excellent platform for photographers to sell their work.

Known for its extensive library and high standards, Getty Images is always looking for fresh, high-quality photos to meet the demands of its global clientele.

To start selling your photos on Getty Images, you’ll first need to create an account. Once your account is set up, you can submit your best photos for review. Getty Images carefully evaluates all submissions to ensure they meet their quality and content standards.

If your photos are approved, they will be added to Getty’s extensive library, where they become available for purchase by customers worldwide.

Getty Images provides photographers with multiple earning opportunities. Not only do you get paid for your photos, but you can also sell licenses for their use. This means businesses, advertisers, or other professionals can purchase the rights to use your images in their projects.

By selling licenses, you retain ownership of your work while allowing others to use it for a fee, creating an additional revenue stream.

3. Foap

Foap

Foap is an excellent platform for photographers to monetize their work by selling photos directly to businesses and individuals. Getting started is simple and accessible to anyone with a camera and creativity.

To begin, create a free account on Foap.com and upload your photos to the platform. Once your photos are uploaded, they become part of the marketplace, where potential buyers can browse and purchase images that fit their needs. This makes it easy for your work to gain visibility and attract customers.

Foap offers a straightforward earning system: photographers receive 50% of the sale price for each photo sold.

For example, if a buyer purchases one of your photos for $10, you’ll earn $5. Payments are processed via PayPal, providing a convenient and reliable way to access your earnings. You can request a payout once your account balance reaches the minimum threshold of $50.

4. EyeEm

EyeEm

EyeEm is another excellent platform for earning money by selling your photos. With a community of over 22 million users, it offers a great opportunity to showcase your work and attract potential buyers.

The process to get started is straightforward and accessible to photographers of all levels.

To begin, sign up for a free EyeEm account, which takes just a few minutes. Once registered, you’ll be directed to your EyeEm dashboard. From there, click the “Upload” button located in the top toolbar to start adding your photos. Select the images you want to sell, click “Open,” and move to the next step.

After uploading your photos, navigate to the “Sell” tab and choose the type of license under which you want to sell your image.

Licensing options allow buyers to use your photos in various contexts, so selecting the appropriate license is important. Add a title and description for your photo, ensuring that it highlights the key elements or unique features of the image. Set a price for your photo based on its value and market demand.

Once all the details are filled out, click “Publish,” and your photo will be added to the EyeEm marketplace. After publishing, your work becomes available for purchase by anyone browsing the platform, giving your images exposure to a global audience.

5. MiPic

miPic is a fantastic platform for photographers of all skill levels to monetize their work by selling their images. The platform makes it easy to get started, allowing users to create an account and upload their photos in just a few simple steps.

Once your images are uploaded, you can set your own prices and start earning from your photography.

To maximize your sales on miPic, focus on uploading high-quality photos that appeal to a broad audience. Use social media to promote your portfolio and attract more buyers to your work.

Engaging with your audience and being responsive to customer inquiries can also boost your reputation and encourage repeat sales.

miPic provides a user-friendly way to turn your creativity into profit. With consistent effort and attention to quality, you can build a successful income stream by showcasing and selling your photography on the platform.

6. Dreamstime

Dreamstime

Dreamstime is a great platform for photographers to monetize their skills by selling their images. Getting started is straightforward and allows you to reach a broad audience of potential buyers.

To begin, sign up for an account and build a portfolio showcasing your best work. Ensure that you describe each image accurately and include relevant keywords, making it easier for buyers to find your photos. Pricing your images competitively is important, and being open to negotiation can help secure more sales.

Promoting your work on social media and other online platforms can drive traffic to your portfolio and attract potential buyers.

Patience is key, as it may take time for your images to gain visibility and attract buyers. To maintain interest, regularly upload fresh, high-quality images to your portfolio.

With consistent effort and a focus on quality, selling your photos on Dreamstime can be a rewarding way to turn your passion for photography into a source of income.

7. 500px

500px

500px is a well-known image-sharing platform that offers photographers the opportunity to showcase and sell their photos. It provides an easy-to-use interface, making it a great option for photographers of all levels to monetize their work.

To get started, create a free account and begin uploading your photos. When you’re ready to sell, you can organize your images into “collections” and set individual prices for each photo.

This allows you to present your work professionally and attract potential buyers. Once a buyer purchases one of your images, you’ll earn a royalty payment.

500px simplifies the process of selling photos, offering photographers a straightforward way to make money from their creativity.

By consistently uploading high-quality images and maintaining an organized portfolio, you can maximize your earning potential on this platform.

8. Snapwire

Snapwire

Snapwire is a platform designed for photographers to sell their photos to businesses and creative professionals. It offers opportunities for both showcasing your portfolio and participating in specific photo challenges or buyer requests.

To make the most of Snapwire, ensure your portfolio is complete and up-to-date, as it serves as your first impression on potential buyers. Focus on featuring your best work to attract attention and increase your chances of success.

When applying to specific challenges or responding to buyer requests, carefully read the brief and submit photos that align with the buyer’s needs to improve your chances of being selected.

Using keywords and tags effectively is crucial for making your photos more discoverable to buyers. Be strategic and accurate in your tagging to ensure your work reaches the right audience. Additionally, staying active on the platform is essential.

9. SmugMug Pro

SmugMug Pro

Selling your photos through SmugMug Pro is an excellent way to turn your photography skills into a source of income. The platform offers powerful tools and features to help photographers of all levels sell their work effectively.

To get started, focus on uploading only the highest-quality images, paying attention to composition, lighting, and post-processing. Selecting the right pricing plan for your images is also crucial to ensure your offerings are competitive and appealing to buyers. Use descriptive titles and relevant keywords to make it easier for potential customers to find your photos in search results.

SmugMug Pro provides built-in tools to promote your work, such as social media sharing and email marketing, which can help you reach a wider audience. Monitoring your sales performance is essential; adjust your pricing and marketing strategies as needed to improve results and increase revenue.

By leveraging SmugMug Pro’s features and following these tips, you can effectively generate side income and showcase your photography to a global audience.

10. iStockPhoto

 iStockPhoto

iStockPhoto is a leading online platform for photographers to sell their work and reach a vast audience. With over six million members, it is one of the largest stock photo websites, constantly seeking fresh and high-quality images to expand its collection.

To start selling on iStockPhoto, first, create a free account on iStockPhoto.com. Once registered, upload some of your best photos to showcase your talent and attract buyers.

Whenever someone purchases one of your images, you’ll earn a commission based on the sale. Earnings can be cashed out once you’ve accumulated a minimum balance of $100.

iStockPhoto provides a straightforward way for photographers to earn extra income by monetizing their skills. If you’re passionate about photography and can consistently produce high-quality images, iStockPhoto offers a reliable platform to turn your creativity into profit.

11. Depositphotos

Depositphotos

Depositphotos is a popular platform where photographers can sell their images and earn money through two payment models: contributor payments and royalty payments. It offers an excellent opportunity for photographers to showcase their work and monetize their creativity.

Contributor payments provide a fixed amount for each photo, regardless of how often it is downloaded. Meanwhile, royalty payments allow you to earn a percentage of the sale price every time a customer downloads your image. This dual payment structure makes Depositphotos a flexible platform for earning income.

To start selling your photos, create an account on Depositphotos.com and upload your best work. Once your images are accepted, they will be available for customers to purchase or download.

By consistently uploading high-quality images and understanding market demands, you can maximize your earnings on Depositphotos and build a steady income stream from your photography.

12. Fotolia By Adobe

Fotolia By Adobe

Fotolia is a fantastic platform for photographers and videographers to earn money by selling their work. You can upload your photos and videos, making them available for purchase by customers worldwide.

The platform offers two primary ways to sell: through subscriptions and credits.

With subscriptions, customers pay a monthly or yearly fee, allowing them to download a specific number of photos or videos. Alternatively, credits serve as a virtual currency that customers use to purchase individual photos or videos.

This flexible system caters to a wide range of buyers, increasing the chances of your work being sold.

Fotolia also provides several payment options to ensure convenience. You can receive your earnings via PayPal, Skrill, or bank transfer, and you have the option to be paid in euros, British pounds, or US dollars.

By consistently uploading high-quality content and understanding customer preferences, you can generate a steady income and reach a global audience through Fotolia.

13. Photocase

Photocase

Photocase is a great platform for photographers to sell their work and earn money. It allows you to showcase your photos as prints or digital downloads, providing flexibility in how you monetize your creativity.

To get started, create an account on Photocase and upload your photos. You have the option to set your own prices, ensuring that you retain control over the value of your work.

When a customer purchases one of your photos, you’ll earn a commission based on the price you’ve established.

In addition to selling your photos, Photocase offers a partner program that enables you to earn extra income by referring other photographers to the platform.

This added opportunity makes Photocase a versatile and rewarding option for photographers looking to maximize their earnings while reaching a global audience.

14. Stocksy

Stocksy

Stocksy is a great platform for photographers to earn extra income by selling their images. Known for its artist-focused approach, Stocksy offers higher royalty percentages compared to many other stock photography websites, making it an attractive choice for photographers.

To sell your photos on Stocksy, start by uploading your images to the platform. Provide detailed information for each photo, including an engaging title, a descriptive caption, and relevant keywords to help buyers find your work.

Once you’ve uploaded your photos, set a price for each image. When a customer purchases one of your photos, you’ll get paid via PayPal.

One of the key advantages of Stocksy is that they handle the customer service and marketing for you, allowing you to focus on creating and uploading high-quality images.

15. Can Stock Photo

Can Stock Photo is a popular platform offering a vast collection of over 18 million royalty-free images, videos, and illustrations, making it one of the largest stock photography collections available. As a contributor, you can earn money every time one of your photos is downloaded.

Getting started is simple. Create a free account on Can Stock Photo and upload your images for review. Once your photos are approved, they will be added to the platform and made available for purchase by customers.

Contributors earn a commission for each download, typically ranging from 20% to 60%, depending on the type of license purchased by the buyer.

By consistently submitting high-quality images and understanding market trends, you can increase your earnings and tap into the platform’s extensive user base. Can Stock Photo provides a straightforward way for photographers to monetize their creativity and reach a global audience.

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