8 reasons you're not making money on Shutterstock (and how to change that!)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Are you not making money on Shutterstock - or stock photography websites in general? Have you been thinking to yourself, "is this a scam"? (It's not.) Maybe you've uploaded thousands upon thousands of photos and are still not seeing any sort of significant earnings. In this video, I address 8 different reasons why you are not getting downloads and making money on Shutterstock - and how you can change that to finally bring in some passive income that's worth talking about. With a little bit of time, dedication and consistency, you can reach your goals and bring in more money.
SIGN UP as a Shutterstock contributor (if you haven't already): submit.shutter...
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To view some of my top selling images and additional advice, check out my Shutterstock videos playlist! th-cam.com/play/PLwLa_WVqeLnaHDvr7DAc4nGHJ0DtSBJYy.html
Ich schaue immer gerne zu und lernen von dir, aber in dieser Folge war die Musikauswahl im hintergrund grausam ;-)
Hi
Do you pay monthly fee if your images were downloaded (purchased) or not download (not purchased)? .. or like this: if it downloaded (purchased) you pay, not download (not purchased) no any fee to pay?
I haven't made any money on Shutterstock yet.😔i already have 200 photos on shutterstock. can you help me??
My Portfolio
www.shutterstock.com/g/Diannsaka?rid=269187984
Hey Nicole - great video! I just purchased a large number of photos on Shutterstock (including some of yours) so perhaps I can give the perspective of a buyer. You are right that some topics are way over saturated. There are tons of photos of the Capitol Building but I probably only need one or two. On the other hand, there are almost no photos of DC restaurants, which I needed and had to go out and get myself. Bad captions is also a big problem. It was extremely helpful when photographers dated their photos in the caption. There are a lot of photos that are old but it's unclear exactly how old. Similarly it's a big help to know exactly where a photo was taken, including city and state, since that's the way I searched for photos.
Hey Rob, thanks for your helpful insights, I have pinned your comment to the top! I think what you say is very much in line with what I have noticed on Shutterstock myself. I have photographed pretty much every store and restaurant in my own neighborhood, but there's so many more in the region that are still unphotographed. While many people upload their prettiest photos of flowers, dogs, cats and clouds, what buyers are looking for is usually something different. It's definitely great to hear that confirmation from a buyer :)
@@NicoleGlass Exactly! For example my new e-book I needed images to show readers what to expect, not necessarily the prettiest sunset images of landmarks. A few of your images made it into the book!
@@NicoleGlass What are the legal limitations of that? I thought it was technically illegal to take and sell photos of private property? I can't find a ton of concise information online about selling photos, just about taking them. Thanks!
which brings back to the most obvious point, upload what the clients Want and Need. I have pushed sliders way beyond my comfort zone, but this is what got uploaded. Interesting about dating the picture. Obviously it's done automatically on Editorial content, but i might have to look at some of my commercial where timeliness of capture might be important and add dates, or seasons...
@@NicoleGlass Hi Nicole
Thank you for your video. Greatly appreciate.
I want to ask! Can this be applied also in design categories, especially logo design?
I must say you’re one of the most honest photographers in you tube, thank you for that.
Your videos are very helpful!!!
Aww thanks so much, I'm glad this was helpful for you! :)
I run a small design studio, and download hundreds of stock images for a variety of use. I took the time to review Nicole's portfolio on Shutterstock from the perspective of a buyer, and she is SPOT ON in her advice. Her portfolio is full of the sort of photos I have trouble finding when I need something specific. Examples of what I'm always looking for and coming up short are: 1. human subjects doing banking/finance in a way that looks natural and not posed, 2. human subjects seeking medical advice or assistance, 3. human subjects doing normal activities in a natural way. I never need someone doing laundry and sniffing it like they are smelling the fields of Avalon in their detergent. Don't mimic ads...those companies pay for shoots. 4. Older/eldery subjects in any regard. The boomers are aging...the average model in stock is like 27. There is a market for photos that just aren't widely available.
So good luck for all would-be Shutterstock vendors. We rely on you! Just please don't upload any more pics of a latte with a heart drawn in the foam. Enough is enough, lol.
Hi Davey, thanks for your comment! I will probably use this comment in a future video since you definitely provided some valuable insights from a client perspective :) And I'm glad you saw some value in my portfolio. Have a great day!
I've got 240 images up currently and I've had 32 downloads and I can not wait to upload more.
That is terrific! A pretty high download to upload ratio.
thanks for sharing richard i wanna get started
Dude, do you pay monthly fee neither anybody download nor not? .. or like this: if it purchased you pay, not purchased no any pay?
I had 3 download sales iafter uploading only 36 images in my first 2 months or so. I had many photos rejected thought
Richard Oldroyd How are things going for you a year later? I’m guessing you’ve made less than $30.
I just found your TH-cam Channel (thanks TH-cam recommended videos). This is great, I’ve been a part-time photographer for over 10 years and never thought about stock photography. Thinking about ways I can carve out an hour each day to try it out this year. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hey Michael! Awesome. If you've been shooting that long, you probably have hard drives full of images that you can just upload, rather than letting them collect dust :)
Thanks for your videos and the inspiration! Just got my first 38 pics approved a week ago an already got a download!! Waiting for 100+ pics to get approved now :)
Awesome!! :) Hope you make some sales!
Thanks for the great video, with great ideas, Nicole. Sometimes I just need a little good encouragement to keep the ball rolling. Now semi-retired, I'm shifting to stock for my 30 yrs of photos in my library, as well as current images. I just keep on shooting and downloading. I'm from the USA, but currently in the Philippines. Hoping to be back Stateside by Christmas, and shoot in Colorado and Texas in 2020. :)
I was amazed at the variety of different locations that you shot your video in this house, assuming it was yours, and also amazed at how clean and perfect everything was. You should have kept that a secret until the next video. I was jealous for a little bit...
Haha, I should have pretended it was mine. I wish! I tend to have clean corners for filming purposes but not every section is clean... 😅
Thanks for the great information. As a recently retired senior, I'm investigating ways to support my photography hobby. I'm glad you clarified your location, as I was wondering about the artwork on the walls... I was expecting to see your work, instead. ;-)
Haha, I actually don't have any of my own photos printed, but I probably should decorate with them:) I wish my apartment looked like that model unit! Need to clean up a bit ;)
Nicole, I love your videos. 3:40 The problem with shutterstock is that so many photos are rejected. The other day two of my photos were rejected because of file error. Then re-uploaded them, this time they said no " property release " . The same building ( it is an ancient church in public place in Cyprus ) is sold as commercial by other contributors. I would have uploaded it for the third time as editorial but it takes time to write all that captions and tags. I uploaded them on alamy instead and they were accepted. There are some inconsistencies when they decide to accept or reject a photo and it puts people off .
Thanks. Yeah, there are definitely some issues with Shutterstock these days. You might want to check out my video about their recent earnings change - it's a big one - th-cam.com/video/Qgbu4-Y6j-Q/w-d-xo.html
@@NicoleGlass Oh, will do that Nicole. Thank you.
how to deal with release, if you take images in street, protest etc
I have 59 up now on SS lol and sold 2 but at that terrible 25c rate😢 both was editorial 😒
Hi Nicole, interesting video. Agree with everything except the tip to keyword the maximum 50, which may lead to spamming...but you're right that they need to be correct, so all depends on the images. Nice helpful list and you're quite charming in front of the camera! Look forward to more videos! All the best - Alex, brutally honest guy
Hi Alex, that's definitely a good point - keywords should of course only be relevant to the image! Thank you for the compliment and thanks for watching! 😀
Got another questions girl, I intend to open an account at some point, do they have a charge to do this, membership fees o r something? I'm just getting a little excited about all this...
@@jamessharp1321 No. The fees are only for buyers. All the information is on the site. Look for "Contributor" information
.
Nicole I hope you see my comment, there is a point i didn't understand, you said that it is not good to put multiple pics of the same model or subject, but i mean the buyer might want a slightly different angle or want to have several photos to choose from, and the photos are already edited, what am i loosing ? they are just extra, or is there anything I am missing ??
It’s not a bad thing. The point I was making is: some people say to me “I have 1,000 photos up and I’m not making sales.” Then I look at their portfolio and they have hundreds of photos of the same thing. So they don’t have 1,000 unique images, and it doesn’t surprise me that they haven’t made sales. Diversity is a good thing :)
@@NicoleGlass first of all, I am surprised that you answered, didnt expect that, second of all thank you I understood your point, and lastly, because of your videos today morning I made my very first sale on shutterstock and it felt amazing the fact that someone was willing to pay for a pic of mine, thank you so so much Nicole, keep it up 💕
I'm happy to hear that! Congratulations :)
Thank you Nicole.
I sold 1 pic this month. Just I tried to know how the shutterstock works.
Keep do more 😍😍👌
The first download is always the most exciting :) Hope you get thousands more
@@NicoleGlass tq👍
Hey Varma, do you decide what to charge or does shutterstock?
@@davidc5885 i didn't decide , that all shutterstock will do it automatically.
Wonderful video. So happy to have discovered you, you actually flesh out the detail clearly and concisely. Learning a lot already! Thank you!
Thanks Ann, I'm glad you find these videos helpful :)
Can you please do a video on the type of camera that would be good for beginner photographers in Shutterstock? What quality do the photos need to be? How many megapixels should they be? Can you go over the technical aspects? Can you please give us some ideas on equipment that would be helpful to get?
If you make a video like this, please let us know of some budget options that work effectively because it's not realistic for most of us to spend a lot of money on equipment when we're just starting out. But at the same time, the equipment that we get has to be efficient enough to do the job, so that hopefully at some point we will start making money. After that, we can possibly invest in more expensive equipment.
I have made videos that answer every question you've asked here.
Regarding cameras - here's my video on that: th-cam.com/video/whO8XRDUyfU/w-d-xo.html
And here's my Shutterstock playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLwLa_WVqeLnaHDvr7DAc4nGHJ0DtSBJYy.html
Hope that helps :)
Thanks! I just need to upload a lot more images to try to get them to sell!
Hi Nicole i have few questions to ask from regards to shutterStock
1. If i use 2 models to my photos do i have to get model release from each of them.
2. If i photograph a private property or city buildings from far (miles away) still do i have get property release.
3. Is it possible upload my rejected photos under editorial
4. Where can i get model release document, if there is any link to download
5. Why photos get reject regards to reason "your subject not in focused"
6. In my country (Sri Lanka)PayPal is not support to received cash. are there any payment gateways to received cash such as "Skrill" / "NETELLER"
7. Is it possible to transfer the cash direct to bank account.
8. Have you using stock like Adobe, deposit photos and pond5 and whats your opinion regard using those sites.
Appreciate your value support.
Hi Mohamed, I have made videos answering most of these questions already but for the ones I haven’t addressed yet, I’ll include them in my next Q&A video 😊
@@NicoleGlass hi nicole thank you for your respond i have watch most your most videos and regards to above questions that i ask which is not mention on your prevoius videos for couple of questions. Kindly if you can tag me a link is much appreciate.
@@NicoleGlass Hi Nicole one question if i take a shot part of a body do i still have to get a model release from that person.
Can you explain me how to upload quoted photos.
With everything going on, I'm looking for ways to earn passive income. May I ask how much are you making on average per month ? I would really appreciate it.
I have over 25,000+ downloads - pretty damn happy i started
Helo, i have 140 images with 23 downloads.. How can i improve?
I could have googled this but you really know your stuff and google would have shot me to you anyway, TAKE THAT MIDDLE MAN GOOGLE!!! oh, sorry, my question is how do you get around the property release form without making it an editorial? Thanks, great video also!!
Lol too funny. If something requires a property release form, you have to either submit a form or submit it as editorial. Those are your two options. I use the app "Easy Release" for all of my forms.
Nicole Glass very cool, I will look in to that app, I apologize for asking as I binge watched your videos and came across the one where you explained it all. Thank you so much for that. I was about to start feeling like this Cannon m50 I just bought was just going to be a paperweight. Man there are so many videos that can be made on this topic and there have been but every singe one of them have something different and unique you are certainly no exception. Your videos are packed with very good information and experience and as a new photographer I appreciate it.
Hi Nicole! First time trying Shutterstock. Great video for beginners, I like to start with the negative and get that out of the way.
Hi Angelica! Awesome, I hope you find success with Shutterstock. Also keep video footage in mind, not just photos :)
Good info thanks...
I just added my photos into sets. Can you do a video on the importance of "Sets". I can't seem to find anything related to that on TH-cam.
Thanks for the suggestion, I can definitely do a video on that in the future! Hope this one helped.
-Nicole
my case is kind of strange, i mostly upload travel pictures from places like china where there aren't really a lot of pictures already on shutterstock. It seems i a stuck between 30 to 40 dollars per month. When i had 500 pictures, 30 dollars. Now that i have almost 1300, still 30 dollars. I m trying to cover as many countries and as many places as i can but still sales on a average never increase
I just saw your video on the new payment levels on shutterstock. So timely
Nicole, today I’m searching for a guide/instructions on applying for Shutterstock. I know, you’re saying that’s simple! Well, I’m going to try and then I have only few photos to upload......do I wait until I get more or does it matter?
Here's all the info :) www.shutterstock.com/contributorsupport/articles/kbat02/000006608?l=en_US&fs=RelatedArticle
Top advice! I need to get my act together...
Hi Nicole, if say we do cover a demonstration event as you point out what kind of releases if any do we need to get signed? Can they be uploaded for Editorial only or as Commercial?
Hi Lawrence, you would upload those kinds of photos as editorial!
I have a question, if I take photos of any event or protest then do I also need model release for all those people in photo ? Please guide.
No you don't. Definitely check out my video on commercial vs. editorial photos:)
@@NicoleGlass Thank you so much, credit goes to your videos, for my first shutterstock sales, all of them editorials.
Do you know some collaborative platform where to assign photos to publishers in exchange for commission before uploading them to stocks?
Great job, Nicole. FYI you work hard to get these shots and/or get them ready for sale. I wouldn't call it passive income. I'd call it reward fo effort.
True! There is no such thing as true passive income, because literally all passive income takes a massive amount of work in the beginning. But of course, we have to call it something.
Can anyone explain me?
Do you pay monthly fee if your images were downloaded (purchased) or not download (not purchased)? .. or like this: if it downloaded (purchased) you pay, not download (not purchased) no any fee to pay?
There are no fees
@@NicoleGlass Then what is the earnings of Shutterstock from this?
Why they serve us free?
And the main last question:
First thank you for your quick clarifying.
I mean if i upload my special images, pictures how much i will earn depending of its rules and can i withdraw my funds using paypal?
Iam not that good in photography but editing is something that Iam good at
I am just diving into researching selling stock photography. This was a great overview. Thank you so much for the information!
No problem, hope you have fun with it :)
Hi Nicole, what software do you use to edit your shutterstock videos? thank you in advance!
Hi Marjorie, I use Adobe Premiere Pro. Hope that helps :)
I have a important question ...why some bad Quality picture approved by Shutterstock but not my good Quality picture???
Shutterstock always gives you a reason for the rejection
@@NicoleGlass yes , i know...but my Question is why some Very bad Quality image are approved...on shutterstock...???? Comparing them my pictures are far better but they not approve my some pictures.
I just started stock photography. thank you for your videos!
Awesome, hope you find success with it :)
@@NicoleGlass www.shutterstock.com/g/Md+Amit+Hasan?rid=227321811& this is my profile...Please join..
I'm regularly following your profile..Very help full. Thanks
best videos on stock photography thankyou soooo much my majority of doubt are cleared from your videos thnkyouuu
Glad to hear that!
Thank you, Nicole.Good tips.❤
Nicole, Does the same principles apply to VIDEO clips, as in pictures?
A lot of this applies to both :)
I really appreciate you the way you teach how to cope with shutterstock.thanks a lot. from Nepal.
Glad you like my videos 😊 all the best
Hlw, can you help me to fill up the releases of Shutterstock by using any android apps?
I really enjoy your video, it's a lot of Intel in a hand basket I will give it a try. Maybe when you can you can do a demo on details in a photo.
Thanks so much Donald! And yes I could potentially do a video like that in the future.
Hi, Dear Nicole, thank you so much for your advices, I using smartphone to sales on shutterstock. Now have only 50 photo on shutterstock. Gain $0.75 on first 3 month. I have some question on when I take photo on people, mostly will reject. I tick on editorial not commercial use. What should I do?
What is the reason for the rejection?
@@NicoleGlass Focus
The main subject of this image is not in focus
Noise / Artifacts / Film grain
Image contains excessive noise. Film grain. Compression artifacts and or posterization
Thanks for this Shutterstock series, Nicole! Do you also submit content to other stock platforms (Alamy, Adobe Stock, iStock)? You only mention Shutterstock in these videos.
There are a few other ones I am on (including Alamy) but I noticed that Shutterstock does best for me so I put most of my time and effort into that platform.
What about you, are you on some of the other platforms?
I'm just getting started with microstock. I just got approved for them all and I've uploaded a couple dozen to Shutterstock so far.
Helpful..:)
Can I post same photo in different stock photography sites.. is that ok?
Yes you can
Awesome video. Do you know if the release form must be done everytime? Thank you
Hey there - only if you're submitting the images as commercial images! :)
Nicole you are always inspiration and fresh wind! Thank you!
Aww thanks! :)
Thank you for sharing, I needed a boost to encourage me to keep uploading. I have a little over 100 photos and have already sold 10.
That's actually pretty good, now imagine if you have 3,000 good photos up 🙂
@@NicoleGlass I'll follow your advice to upload more frequently 😉
how is your shutterstock account now, what is the progress that you made in 5 months ?
Waoow I'm so impressed and I learn lot of new things from this video....
Ma'am I hve one question...
Can you tell me... That can I upload one image in different websites for sell....?
Yes you can upload your images wherever you want!
More than 20 photos 1st 10 was rejected for quality, next batch rejected for description and even clicking on illustration. Still trying to make a photo approved.
Thanks for the Tips... Be well and stay encouraged!!!
Thank you! :)
@@NicoleGlass You are more than welcome!
i have one downloaded 😊
1 is better than 0
@@NicoleGlass thanks😁 I have some videos to...
www.shutterstock.com/video/search?contributor=Adansijav+Official
Well it's 2020 now and Shutterstock cut their payments to photographers drastically....you get an average of .10 a photo. If you think you can make any money at Shutterstock you are deluding yourself.
What's your opinion of Tamron lens?
Tamron is great!
I was just looking at the Shutterstock site. Photographers must have a tax license in order to become a contributor (or at least to sell)?
Hi Tana, they just need the information so they can send you a 1099 at the end of the year.
@@NicoleGlass plz tell me in brief what is 1099?i am confuse
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences
You're very welcome! Thank you for the kind comment :)
thank you so much ❤❤❤
Anytime:)
Thank you for the tips n advice,especially for the beginners👍
you're welcome!
Thanks
thanks
hello I'm coming with you from Portugal, could you turn on automatic subtitles in your videos? not everyone has this feature, thank you
Greetings from India. Thank you for the informative video Nicole. Keep up the good work and pls wish me luck for my Shutterstock photography 😊
Thank you! All the best to you on your stock photography journey 😊
thanks for information and tips
Inspiring for me. Because I always rejected my photo in shutterstock..😅
Wow what a great informative video!
I am new Lerner and I have not proper equipment to shoot a image instead of android phone.
I want to know about this how 'll I become a successful shutterstock contributer
Please suggest me
I am a Indian
I have 40 videos you can watch that will help you become successful: th-cam.com/video/igia6CC_fLk/w-d-xo.html
Just started to upload my images and got my first buyer after a couple of days. Thanks for the advices and the motivation you convey.
Number of photos is not important qulity is important if you upload 50 photo and I uploaded best unik 10 photo then
People download my photo again and again more than your
You need both. Quantity AND quality 😉
Thank you so much you help me a lot.
Glad to hear that!
Can Any ine send me link where to download this app
submit.shutterstock.com/?ref=172178900
Please everyone share yor portfolio i want to watch your efforts
you are a great person!!!!
its very helpfull tips,thnks very much
You are most welcome
I'm a beginner shutterstock
Thanks, very useful content!
Glad it was helpful!
NİCOLE YOU HAVE AN AMAZING ENERGY AND ATTITUDE :)
Thankyou mam... Very helpful suggections
I'm glad it was helpful!
Hey Nicole
is it possible to show us on a video your profits on stock photo sites ... to encourage us?
thank you for your understanding
I can definitely do that in a future video, thanks for the suggestion!
@@NicoleGlass
thank you so much Nicole .. I'm waiting for your next video with great patience .
Am from Corsica Island
Thank you one more time !
Thanks dear Nicole for this lovely video. I have watched lot of your videos on Shutterstock, they are really cool.
My question " Can I sell the same image in other websites?
Thank you John! Yes you can :)
Can u give your shutterstock link for to refer
Great advice ..Thank you x
Thanks for stopping by!
thank you！
Thank you for the tips!!
Anytime 😊
Great informative video thank you
You’re very welcome!
Good information
Thanks!
Imagine if you have 50mil photos and illustration, damn that would be big salary
Lol, yes.
Great vedio
I've found I got way more sales just switching to Getty, shutterstock were awful
Hey Alan, that's definitely interesting. I haven't signed up there because of the exclusivity... but you're saying the exclusivity is worth it?
The process to settle model release is hard😅.
Are you having problems with getting models to sign it?
Thanks for video
Thanks for watching!
Hay nice video
I have one question how can I upload a news related moment Shutterstock wants to verify the humans identity so what can i do, and it's not possible that verify all man's and women's 😂
Check out the video I made that's titled "Commercial vs. Editorial Photos " - it's basically a tutorial on how to upload images without release forms.
@@NicoleGlass please provide the link you have so many video
Most uploaders don't have any idea what the designers need. They upload pretty landscapes while the designers are looking for lifestyle photos.
Yes exactly. I work for a company that has a few subscription plans to stock sites, and I know for a fact they're downloading some pretty random stuff.
Nicole. You earned yourself a fan. I am also a beginner stock photographer and am doing a weekly videos on how to start and do stock photography in my regional language. all of the stufff you mentioned are god honest truth. i loved every bit of it. You rock. I wish your channel good fortune in wars to come. Take care. God Bless
That is awesome! I've definitely come across your videos before, they are great! Are you based in India? I've noticed a lot of the viewers of my stock videos are actually in India. It seems there's a huge interest in Shutterstock over there, so you're in the perfect niche :)
Thank you for the kind words, I wish you all the best with your channel as well!
Where do you live
Apaan gw baru daftar ss contributor langsung direject (aneh this account has been disabled. Please contact your organization administrator) #beralihkelaindeh
What about digital art concept or illustration are they worth it?
I don’t make vectors so I don’t know how they do