Business Idea: Selling Photos Online

Photography has been one of the most popular hobbies in the world since the first camera appeared. It is not only amateurs who take photos, but also professionals who sometimes make a good income from it. In this article, we will discuss how a photographer can earn money online through their craft.

Many professions today are intertwined with the internet, and photography is no exception. Many photographers take advantage of the internet by creating a website or blog to showcase their portfolio. This is how most forward-thinking photographers operate. However, there is also a way to turn a photographer's income into a passive form, meaning earning profit even when not actively working.

Stock Photos

Many are aware of the existence of photo banks, special websites where photographers can automatically sell their works, which are then purchased by publishing houses and webmasters. It is easy to understand that these photographs are needed for new magazine issues or website publications. Collaborating directly with publishing house photographers is not feasible as it is time-consuming, and hiring in-house photographers can be costly. This is where photo banks come in, storing a vast array of different photos.

Through photo banks, a photographer can earn additional income. To do this, one needs to capture successful shots that editors of publications will appreciate and upload them online. When a photo is sold, the author receives their percentage. However, not all works will be purchased. To attract the maximum number of potential buyers, it is crucial to select the right themes for the photos. Among the most popular themes are business and finance, holidays, health and sports, items on a white background, beauty and glamour, shopping, ecology, technology, travel, and nature.

The burning question arises: how much do people earn from selling stock photos? On average, a photographer can make around a hundred dollars per month. However, there are exceptions. Some skilled individuals earn several thousand dollars monthly, which can be comparable to a good salary in modern terms.
Let's delve into the platforms for stock photos. There are many, but the largest ones today are: Dreamstime, iStockPhoto, Fotolia, and ShutterStock. For good sales, it is best to register on all these sites. The reason is simple: some photos may sell better on one platform than another, thus increasing your turnover overall. ShutterStock is considered the largest player in the stock photo business, while Dreamstime is the most renowned photo bank. The registration process on these sites varies slightly. For instance, on Dreamstime and Fotolia, simply fill out a small form for free and start uploading photos. Moderators will review your photos, and some may appear on the site. Registration on iStockPhoto and ShutterStock is also free, but the rules are a bit stricter. These rules include passing English language tests and submitting a copy of your passport for user identification (copies of standard passports are not accepted).

The last two platforms also have differences between them. To pass the review on Shutterstock, you will need to submit 10 of your works, out of which at least 7 must be approved by moderators for successful registration. The resolution of photos should be a minimum of 4 megapixels. On iStockPhoto, you only need to send three photos, all of which must be accepted by moderators. Which photos are best to submit during registration? Your best works, but do not forget about the theme. The main requirement for your photos is that they must catch the buyer's interest and have the potential to sell. It is not recommended to upload surrealism and other abstract photos.

In conclusion, stock photos are an excellent business idea. However, like any other idea, there are challenges. Firstly, competition among photographers is quite high and continues to increase. Secondly, for a truly good income, one will have to work hard by capturing and uploading dozens of new high-quality shots every month, as the price of each photo is low. Of course, some photos may become very popular, but even in those cases, it is not a constant stream. Summing up all that has been said, it can confidently be stated that for creative, diligent, and industrious individuals, this new business idea can become a primary source of income.