Many people take great photos with their phones and cameras. But not many realize these images can earn them money online.
This guide will show you how to make that happen. From choosing the right platforms to understanding legal basics, we've got you covered.
You'll also learn how to expand your earnings through prints and photography services.
What to know before starting
It's common for people to mistakenly assume photos published online are free to use. One of the best things you can do to protect yourself from unlicensed usage is to use a watermark generator. These tools will place watermarks on your photos, so people can't reuse them without also displaying information about your company.
If someone uses your content even after you apply watermark protections, you can send cease-and-desist requests. Some photographers also send invoices to people who use their photos, demanding payment for their work. A combination of these methods will usually prompt a quick response
Best places to sell photos online
Licensing is a popular way to sell photos online. Stock photography sites allow you to license your images to others for commercial use and, in return, you get a share of the profits.
For those with a portfolio of high-quality images, becoming a contributor to a stock photo website can turn your collection into income. Here's a list of stock photo websites that accept contributors from varying experience levels:
1. Alamy
Alamy is best known for its diverse stock photo collection, boasting more than 300 million stock vectors, images, videos, and 360-degree panoramic photos. You can upload photos directly to Alamy's desktop site or use its Stockimo app to upload from your phone.
Alamy pays out monthly and has varying commission structures. You'll receive 50% of any direct sale, depending on the popularity of your image and the type of license you choose. There's no need to sign any long-term contract to sell photos online via Alamy.
2. Shutterstock
Shutterstock has been around since 2003 and has paid out more than $1 billion to its contributors in that time. It's considered a micro-stock site that sells cheaper, non-exclusive images to a broad audience. The best way to earn more from Shutterstock is to contribute a large number of high-quality photos spanning different categories.
Shutterstock pays between 15% and 40% of sales to its contributors, with earnings increasing over time based on performance. There's also an affiliate program that offers you a chance to earn more by referring new photographers or customers.
3. 500px
500px is both a marketplace and a community for photographers. On 500px, millions of photographers put their photos up for sale. With partners worldwide, the site reaches more than a million buyers looking for creative snaps.
500px also serves as a gathering place for photographers of all levels to engage with each other. Members can follow peers, list their standout images for sale, and compete in photography contests with awards. Moreover, paid members who offer exclusive photos have the opportunity to earn up to 100% in royalties.
4. Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock works well with Adobe's photography software. This means anyone using Adobe Creative Suite can upload their images, videos, vectors, and drawings on this stock image website. You can add photos directly into the Adobe Stock library from Adobe Bridge and Adobe Lightroom, and through the web.
Due to Adobe's wide ecosystem, listing your photos on Adobe Stock can help you reach millions of potential buyers. When a sale happens, you earn a 33% royalty from photo transactions and 35% on video sales.
5. Dreamstime
Dreamstime is a photo-selling website that provides high-quality images to a diverse clientele, ranging from private sector individuals to Fortune 500 companies. It operates as a microstock platform featuring over 250 million files and serves more than 50 million users worldwide.
Contributors on Dreamstime can earn up to 60% in royalties, but only if they choose to be exclusive to the platform. Those who are non-exclusive can still earn a decent share, between 25% and 50%, which varies based on the popularity of their images. The platform also features a 10% referral program for bringing in new users.
6. SmugMug
Whether you're an amateur photographer or a professional, SmugMug can help you sell your photos online with a beautiful, personalized gallery that immediately attracts attention. All you need to do is upload your photos and the platform does the rest. It doesn't really get any easier than that.
SmugMug gives you 85% of each sale, which is considerably higher than most other stock image platforms. However, it requires you to sign up for one of their membership plans.
7. Picfair
Picfair is ideal for those who want a degree of control over online image collection. The site lets you set your own prices for both prints and digital photos, plus handles payment processing. Picfair adds a 20% commission to the advertised price, paid by the buyer. Picfair also manages print production and licenses for digital images.
8. Getty Images
Getty Images has a massive library of premium stock photos. It's the go-to for brands and publishers who need high-quality or unique images they can't get elsewhere. Alongside iStock, its microstock site, Getty reaches an impressive audience.
Selling photos on Getty Images means meeting higher standards than on many other photo sites. The rewards match the effort, with rates offered between $50 and $100 per image.
9. Depositphotos
Depositphotos helps photographers sell their work to big companies. Contributor royalties increase with sales volume, starting at 30% for Green level (up to 499 downloads) and rising to 38% for Platinum level (150,000+ downloads) on images and videos sold via Packs. For subscription plans, royalties are fixed per download and range from $0.25 at Green level to $0.33 at Platinum, with an optional Revenue Share Program offering 40% of net subscription revenue distributed proportionally among contributors.
10. Stocksy
Stocksy is the ideal place for publishers and creatives looking to make money selling photos online. It's known for offering higher payouts compared to many other stock photography sites. Photographers can earn a 50% royalty on standard licenses and 75% on extended licenses for their photos (but they must be exclusive to Stocksy).
Stocksy runs as an artist-owned cooperative. This setup means that selling your photos there also makes you a part-owner. You'll have input on the company's decisions. Plus, when Stocksy does well financially, you could receive a share of the profits.
11. Evanto Elements
Envato Elements is a stock photo site where you can sell your photos online. You can sell directly on their app or upload photos to your own site using their domain. It's a great way to connect with potential clients and make money with your pictures.
Envato Elements pays its authors a 50% share of the net revenue from Individual, Student, and Teams subscriptions and a 25% share of net revenue from Enterprise subscriptions. So, if you love photography, Envato Elements is a perfect place to turn your passion into profit.
12. EyeEm
EyeEm is a great site for selling photos, especially if you do commercial photography. Big clients like Apple and Spotify use EyeEm. You can get booked for photo shoots through a special feature on the site.
When you upload your images to EyeEm, they also appear on Getty, which means more people see your work. Contributors can earn a 50% commission on each sale made through the EyeEm marketplace.
13. Zenfolio
Both amateur and professional photographers need a portfolio to show their work and attract customers. With Zenfolio, you can build a great portfolio in just a few steps. The platform offers print and digital product options for showcasing and selling your photos.
Zenfolio's subscription starts at $3.50 per month when billed annually and a ProSuite plan at approximately $40/month. The platform also charges a service fee of 9.9% for digital and vendor products, and 6.9% for self-fulfilled products.
14. Pixieset
Pixieset is perfect for photographers to share, deliver, and sell images online. You can set up an online store to sell prints, products, and more with automatic fulfillment.
For free plans, Pixieset takes a 15% commission. By upgrading to a paid Client Gallery or Suite plan, you eliminate the 15% commission fee for all sales.
15. Snapped4U
Snapped4U is a marketplace tailored toward event and portrait photographers. You can create a gallery, set your own prices (up to $20 per image), and upload images in .jpeg format. Once a client pays, you can send the photos via email.To use Snapped4U, pay a one-time $10 registration fee, upload photos (max 8MB), create a gallery, and set prices up to $20 per image. Snapped4U delivers JPEGs to buyers, and you’re paid via PayPal on the 1st and 15th, minus a commission of $0.50/10% (US) or $0.60/12% (non-US).
16. 123RF
If you want to sell stock photos on multiple platforms, 123RF is a great option. This company allows you to sell without giving exclusive rights, so you can list your images on other websites too.
123RF gives contributors a 30–60% royalty per license sold, with rates based on download volume and contributor level. To join, you must register, submit 10 images for review, and provide a valid ID.
17. Foap
Foap is great for those looking to sell pictures and artwork. It has a community of more than three million creatives. You can earn money through per-image fees or join Missions, where brands like Nivea, KraftHeinz, and Volvo set cash prizes for the best photos.
Foap also provides a platform where you can connect with other photographers, share your experiences, and receive feedback. Mission rewards range from $100 to $2,000, while individual photo sales split revenue 50/50 between you and Foap.
18. iStock
iStock operates as Getty Images' microstock division. The key difference is that iStock accepts non-exclusive content, allowing you to distribute your photography across multiple agencies simultaneously. This flexibility makes it attractive for photographers building diverse income streams.
To start selling on iStock, you must submit sample images for review. Once approved, contributors receive between 15% and 45% commission rates based on their agreement terms.
19. Unsplash+
Unsplash operates differently from traditional stock sites. Rather than earning from individual photo sales, photographers work through their Unsplash+ program by responding to specific project requests and creative briefs from clients.
After acceptance into the program, you can browse available assignments and submit photos that match client requirements. Payment typically ranges from $5 to $30 per accepted image, depending on the brief's complexity and budget.
20. Pond5
Unlike traditional photo sites, Pond5 focuses on video content, music, and audio assets. Major companies like BBC and Disney use this platform for creative material that appears in commercials, television shows, and movies.
123RF currently offers contributors 30–60% royalties per license sold, depending on contributor level and total downloads. To join, you register, submit 10 images for approval, and provide a valid ID, though these requirements and rates may change in the future. The platform also allows artists to respond to specific client requests through their contributor portal.
Selling photos online FAQ
What are the best websites to sell photos online in 2025?
Some of the most popular platforms include Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images/iStock, Alamy, Stocksy, and SmugMug. Each site offers different commission structures and audiences, so the best choice depends on whether you want wide exposure, higher royalties, or direct-to-client sales.
Can beginners make money selling photos online?
Yes. Many platforms welcome contributors without strict entry requirements. Starting with microstock sites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock is a good option, while beginner-friendly services like Foap and Picfair make it simple to upload and sell without advanced technical knowledge.
Do I need to give exclusive rights to sell my photos?
Not always. Some sites, like iStock, offer exclusive and non-exclusive options, while others like Alamy or Picfair allow you to keep full rights and set your own prices. Always check each platform’s licensing terms before uploading.
How can I maximize earnings from selling photos online?
Success comes from diversifying across multiple platforms, uploading regularly, and focusing on high-demand categories such as lifestyle, business, travel, and technology. Using keywords effectively and maintaining a strong portfolio can help your images stand out in crowded marketplaces.