Selling stock photos on Shutterstock can be an exciting way to earn passive income. However, getting your first sale can feel like a challenge. This guide will walk you through the basic steps to increase your chances of making your first Shutterstock sale as quickly as possible.
1. Sign Up and Get Approved
Before you can start selling, you need to create an account as a Shutterstock Contributor and submit at least 10 photos for review. Follow these steps:
- Visit submit.shutterstock.com and create an account or login.
- Upload your best 10 images (high quality, no noise, well-lit).
- Wait for approval (usually takes a few days). If rejected, improve the rejected files and resubmit.
2. Upload High-Quality, Marketable Photos
Not every photo sells well. To get your first sale faster, focus on what buyers are looking for:
- Popular Subjects: Business, technology, people, travel, lifestyle, and seasonal themes.
- High Resolution: Upload photos with at least 4 MP resolution to meet Shutterstock’s requirements.
- Well-Composed Images: Avoid clutter, ensure sharp focus, and use good lighting.
- Authenticity: Candid, natural-looking images perform better than overly staged ones.
3. Master Keywording & Descriptions
Your photos must be discoverable in searches. The right keywords can make or break your success:
- Use at least 30-50 relevant keywords.
- Describe the image accurately (e.g., “Smiling woman working on a laptop in a coffee shop”).
- Use keywording tools like Shutterstock’s keyword suggestion tool.
- Avoid keyword spam (irrelevant keywords can get your photo ignored).
4. Upload Frequently & Build a Portfolio
Your first 10-20 images might not sell right away. The more images you upload, the higher your chances:
- Aim for 50+ images as quickly as possible.
- Upload regularly (Shutterstock favors active contributors).
- Create images in series (e.g., a set of business-themed images instead of one random business photo). Gut avoid to submit similar images at the same time. The chance is high that Shutterstock will reject similar images in one batch.
When I started on Shutterstock in 2020, I didn’t make a sale right away. It took me 49 uploads before I saw my first earnings. This shows that persistence is key – don’t get discouraged if sales don’t happen immediately! Keep uploading, refining your content, and learning from your portfolio insights.
Fabian, Founder of Shutterprofits.com
5. Promote Your Work (Optional)
If you don’t have to wait for organic sales – help drive traffic to your Shutterstock portfolio:
- Share your portfolio on Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
- Add a Shutterstock referral link to your website or social media.
- Create blog posts or YouTube videos showing behind-the-scenes of your stock photography process.
6. Monitor & Optimize
Once you start getting views, analyze what’s working:
- Check your Shutterstock Contributor Dashboard to see which images perform best.
- Identify trending topics and create similar content.
- Improve older images with better keywords or new edits.
Final Thoughts
Getting your first Shutterstock sale takes strategy and persistence. By uploading high-quality, marketable images, optimizing keywords, and actively promoting your portfolio, you’ll be well on your way to earning passive income with stock photography.
What’s next? Keep adding new images consistently and scale up your portfolio for even more sales! Adapt your learnings to your uploads on other stock agencies.
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