Microstock Photography: BigStockPhoto Vs. ShutterStock
Which One is the Better Place to Earn Money with Your Stock Images?
There are many options to choose from in stock photo companies. Some are harder to get into than others. In this article, I will discuss BigStockPhoto and ShutterStock.
The first step is the approval process. Does the site base the approval on an initial submission of several images, or is each image individually approved or denied? If you aren't approved on the first try, do you have to wait to try again? At ShutterStock you must first submit 10 images. 7 of these 10 images must be approved in order for you to submit more photos to the site. If you are not approved at ShutterStock, the current wait period to apply again is one month (previously, you had to wait a whole 3 months). At BigStockPhoto, photos are approved or denied as you go. If you get 10 photos approved at the beginning that's great. If you only get 2 photos approved at first, you can start uploading more photos for review right away.
In stock photography, you receive commission on each photo sold. The amount of commission and the selling methods can have a major impact on your earnings. BigStockPhoto has low prices for individual photos, as well as discounts for those buying many photos. ShutterStock tends to use package deals, possibly resulting in more downloads. However, ShutterStock has a lower commission rate when compared to BigStockPhoto. While looking at the commission rates, also make sure you are happy with how the commission will be paid. You generally have to reach a minimum payout and then choose between getting a check or money through your Paypal account.
Another thing to consider, is how buyers will view the site. If the company website doesn't look professional, people won't buy photos there. If the website isn't user-friendly, buyers aren't likely to spend time there purchasing your photos. Try searching the site for yourself before signing up. I personally don't like the layout of ShutterStock as much as BigStockPhoto. I find BigStockPhoto far easier to search.
While it isn't likely that microstock photography will bring in the extra income of a steady part-time job, it is fun to have some extra spending money. The more photos you upload, the better your income. If you took these photos anyway, why not earn some money on them? I'm sure your computer is full of thousands of images. Imagine sitting back, doing nothing once the images are uploaded, and just bringing in that extra spending money. Even if it isn't much, it's money you didn't have before. So get out your camera and start earning.
Published by Valerie Hansen
I enjoy a variety of hobbies from playing the harmonica to creating polymer clay creations. I also volunteer my time with both marine mammals and guinea pigs. I guess you could say I have a very wide varie... View profile
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- The approval process may be based on an initial submission or an individual photo basis.
- Microstock photography is commission based, so checking the commission rate is important.
- If buyers don't view the site as being professional, you are unlikely to earn money there.
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Mitac
I also thought it was odd that they would compare SS to BSP. There are at least 6 top sites - why pick these two. Additionaly I don't see it as much as a competition between bigstock and shutterstock. Shutterstock is a clear winner. There is a comprehensive survey on Microstockgroup.com of all the sites and how they stack up against eachother.
shutterstock is a fraud company. i was selling my photos and vectors on shutterstock. one day they banned my account and stole my earned money (200$) . they didn’t send any email with any explanation and they didn’t answer any of my emails. they sell photos below their costs, so they have to cheat subbmiters like me. FRAUD SHUTTERSTOCK FRAUD SHUTTERSTOCK FRAUD SHUTTERSTOCK FRAUD SHUTTERSTOCK FRAUD SHUTTERSTOCK FRAUD SHUTTERSTOCK FRAUD SHUTTERSTOCK beware shutterstock
Actually, microstock contributors make great income, some even as a full time job and others as a business employing many people.
It is easier to enroll in BSP rather than SS as you need pass-port identification.Selection is faster.
Shutterstock is much more relevant right now that istock and dreamstime. But you're right BSP is a joke.
Istock, Dreamstime where are they? Not fair to discuss only about two agencies which are by far not the most relevant in microstock.
Kind of a thinly veiled attempt at marketing by BigStock who is mostly irrelevant in the microstock market anyway.
You may have many photos sitting on your computer, but that does not mean that they will earn you money at these sites, unless they are stock oriented. That is important because most casual snapshots will be refused or if not will not sell well.