Who doesn’t love the idea of making money by simply uploading photos online? If you’re a photography enthusiast—or even just someone with a decent camera and a steady hand— being a Shutterstock contributor might seem like a great side hustle. But before you start dreaming about quitting your day job to live off your stock photo income, let’s take an honest look at what it’s like to be a Shutterstock contributor and whether it can truly generate a good income.

What is Shutterstock?

Shutterstock is an online platform where photographers, illustrators, and videographers can upload their work and license it to customers for a fee. Businesses, marketers, bloggers, and content creators around the world buy these images for their projects. In return, contributors receive a royalty payment each time their photo is downloaded.

It sounds simple, right? While it’s easy to imagine uploading a few pictures and watching the money roll in, the reality is a bit more complex.

How Much Can You Earn?

Shutterstock pays contributors a percentage of the sale price of each download, which varies based on experience and the number of images sold. When starting out, you earn between 15% to 40% per sale. With a growing portfolio, you can reach the 40% maximum rate, but even then, it’s not an instant pathway to wealth.

For example, let’s say you upload 100 photos. Out of those, maybe 10 will get regular downloads. Depending on the type of photo, you might earn between $0.10 and $5.80 per image download, and $1.25 to $47.92 per video. While this can add up over time, it’s important to note that Shutterstock takes a significant cut of the sale price.

My Personal Experience as a Shutterstock Contributor

I created a Shutterstock contributor account and started combing through my phone for upload-worthy photos. To qualify, photos must:

• Be over 4MB in size.
• Not contain trademarks or intellectual property.
• Not include people unless you have a signed model release.

After adding my PayPal details (withdrawal is available once you hit $25), I aimed to upload 100 images but only found 57 suitable photos (but have been uploading more as time goes on). The hunt was a task in itself—scrolling past hundreds of pictures of my dog in Christmas outfits.

Each image had to be submitted individually with a description, category, and at least seven keywords to improve searchability. This took me just over a minute per photo.

January 2025 Progress Report

• Uploaded: 135 photos
• 51 photos were eligible for data licensing only
• 69 photos were accepted into my image portfolio
• 15 photos were rejected due to:

Rejection Reason	Number of Photos
Visible trademark	3
Intellectual property	9
Personally identifiable information	2
Similar content	4
Missing Model Release	3

NB: If a photo is a bit blurry or lacks appeal it can still be eligible for ‘data licensing’. This is an image that has been specifically licensed for use in AI training, machine learning models, and other data-related applications. Shutterstock contributors do get paid for photos that are part of the Data Licensing program

By the end of January 2025, I had zero downloads and therefore made $0. However, I plan to keep uploading and refining my approach.

(Maybe not everyone thinks photos of my dog are as wonderful as I do?)

Can You Really Make Money on Shutterstock?

So, can you actually make a good income on Shutterstock? The answer is: it depends.

✅ If you have a large portfolio of high-quality, in-demand images, you could earn a decent income.

❌ If you expect to get rich quickly by uploading a few photos, you might be disappointed.

Shutterstock rewards persistence, quality, and quantity. If you’re willing to consistently upload hundreds or even thousands of images, you’ll have a better chance of seeing real income.

Is Shutterstock Passive Income?

The idea of earning passive income by uploading photos once and making money forever is appealing. But in reality, only the most popular images generate steady downloads. Success on Shutterstock requires strategy, patience, and consistent updates to your portfolio.

If you have a backlog of professional, high-quality photos, you may see better results. However, competition is fierce, and standing out takes more than just a well-timed Instagram post.

What Types of Photos Sell Best?

Some of the most in-demand images include:

• People in professional settings (offices, business meetings, teamwork)
• Technology and innovation
• Travel and popular landmarks
• Abstract backgrounds and textures

Pros of Being a Shutterstock Contributor

• Creative Freedom – Upload what you love, from nature photography to abstract art.
• Low Startup Costs – A decent camera and basic editing software are enough to start.
• Global Reach – Your images could be used by businesses, bloggers, and advertisers worldwide.
• Potential for Passive Income – If you upload high-demand images, they can sell repeatedly.

Cons of Being a Shutterstock Contributor

• You Won’t Get Rich Overnight – Stock photography is highly competitive.
• Time-Consuming – Uploading, tagging, and optimising images requires effort.
• Strict Approval Process – Many images get rejected due to Shutterstock’s high standards.

Rating Shutterstock as a Side Hustle: 7/10

• Startup Cost – 8/10: free if you have a good camera; 4/10 if buying equipment
• Time Commitment – 7/10: depends on your existing photo collection
• Income Potential – ?/10: varies significantly by effort and quality
• Fun Factor – 6.5/10: great if you love photography, but approvals take time
• Flexibility – 8/10: upload from anywhere, anytime

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

So, is uploading photos to Shutterstock a good side hustle? That depends on your goals and expectations.

If you’re looking for a quick way to make money, Shutterstock isn’t the best option. If you enjoy photography and want to monetise your hobby over time, it can be a rewarding side gig. Shutterstock won’t make you an overnight millionaire, but it can provide steady, passive income if you build a large, high-quality portfolio.

If you’re up for the challenge, grab your camera, start uploading, and see how many downloads you can rack up!