Top 5 Places to Sell your Photography Online

by Startacus Admin

Thanks to the improvements in smartphones and the like, most of us pretty much have access to a fairly decent camera at any time, anywhere. The fact that digital cameras are also a lot more affordable than they once were means that we all have the potential to take good quality photographs as and when we like. However, the reality is that a good camera does not necessarily mean a good photograph. Photography is still a creative skill which requires real time and effort to get right.

Breaking into photography on a professional basis can take years, especially at the highest levels. However there are still ways and means that you can make your mark in the world of photography, thanks to the rise of online platforms for you to showcase and sell your images.
We’ve listed a few here that might interest you:

Camerocks
This portal allows anyone to buy, sell, print and optimise their photos. When you create an account as a photographer, you get your own portfolio page to showcase your work. Each time one of your photos is sold, you will receive a commission from the sale. The site also has an integrated forum where the community shares advice and tips on technical issues as well as information on pricing your work.

Fotolia
Upload your photographs to Fotolia and you are adding to their extensive photo library of over 18 million images! Of course you are also then showcasing your work to their extensive customer base - over 3 million and counting! For every file that you sell. you receive a royalty payout which is between 20% - 63%; the amount you receive is based on your portfolio ranking and the exclusivity of the image.

Dreamstime
With Dreamstime, anyone can apply to be a member, however each application is reviewed and only quality photographs are selected for inclusion in their database. For each transaction, you receive a 20-50% revenue share. Exclusive images also receive an additional 10% revenue share. When your images are first uploaded, they are categorized as a level 0 file. However, once an image exceeds a certain number of downloads, it changes categories and the price subsequently increases. Again the site has an integrated community forum where members share advice, tips and words of wisdom.

Shutterstock
This site is probably the most well known amongst the bunch we have highlighted here. Upload your photos here and yes, you do have a lot of competition but still have good earning potential. Again there is an image approval process to go through which can be tough but which will at the same time help you improve or hone your skills. Sales generally range between $0.25 - $28 per sale. In order to keep your own portfolio raised on the site, it is advised to keep adding new images frequently.

123RF
This portal has an ever growing user and client base and therefore a continually growing customer base for you to showcase your images. The site offers very competitive commission rates for each image download although there are some plans to change the commission structure next year, so get in now to avail of the current rates. One feature which 123RF offers is the ability for you to “fave” 5% of your portfolio - those images then get much higher placement in search rankings, thereby increasing your potential to sell.

We’d love to hear from you if you’ve used any of these portals or if there are others that you think ought to be on the list. Do let us know over at the Forum.
If you're interested in starting a photography business, these basic tips should help.

 

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Published on: 15th August 2012