A fundamental skill that every microstock contributor should possess is adding keywords and descriptions to photos or illustrations using Adobe Photoshop. It’s best to add keywords before uploading to microstock platforms, as this can save you a lot of time. While platforms like Shutterstock.com can automatically generate keywords, other companies might face issues with this process.
How to add metadata through Photoshop?
Step 1. Open the JPG file in Adobe Photoshop. For example, I will use this photograph from the free Adobe Stock microstock collection:
In this article, you will learn about the top 16 microstock companies that hold leading positions in the industry and allow authors to monetize their creative work. These companies help people from various professions earn money, including photographers, illustrators, videographers, and even programmers.
Which is correct? Microstock or stock photo agency? Actually, there is no difference between these two words, they are synonyms. You can use both terms in conversation without hesitation or confusion. In the end, everyone is talking about the same thing.
In this article, I want to give you a brief and comprehensive overview of the best companies I have worked with. Some of my partnerships with them date back to as early as 2009 when everything was just starting out. Since then, a lot has changed in the industry, and new formats of interaction with clients and authors have emerged.
Despite all the ups and downs, microstocks and stock photo agencies continue to provide professionals with a high level of remuneration.
If you are a professional or aspiring photographer, illustrator, or videographer, and are looking for information on how to sell your photos, illustrations, or videos online, the information presented here will be very useful to you. In this article, you will learn how to register on various platforms and start selling your work.
I will guide you through the world of stock photo agencies and show you how vast it is, both in terms of geography and quantity. Let’s get started.
Are you searching for the top stock photo websites to buy high-quality images and videos? Our guide to the best marketplaces will help you navigate the sea of options and choose the best one for your needs. We evaluate the prices, volume of image databases, quality, and exclusivity of collections.
Photobanks and microstocks are platforms where you can purchase high-resolution photographs, illustrations, music, and video clips at competitive prices, which can then be used for commercial purposes. Most commonly, the content is bought for websites, printed banners, interiors, leaflets, illustrating articles, creating presentations, designing social media channels (e.g., Youtube, Instagram, TikTok), etc. Buying media materials protects you from potential copyright infringement issues. The average price for a photo at the largest microstocks starts at $1, offering very high-quality materials for a minimal price.
Shutterstock is a photobank with one of the largest collections of photos, illustrations, and videos in the world. The authors of this microstock add over one million pieces of content each week, ensuring a constant supply of relevant and fresh materials.
Shutterstock.com is an excellent option for those looking to create new presentations, populate a website, or even launch a viral marketing campaign. It is a market leader with:
Microstocks are specialized platforms for selling copyrighted media content. It is a place where you can try to turn your favorite hobby into a way to earn a living. On microstocks, you can sell:
Although all microstocks have a similar theme and orientation, they can also differ greatly from each other. From microstocks that sell strictly vector illustrations, to portals where you can sell absolutely any content created by you. From those who treat authors well, value and listen to them, to those who don’t care about us for their own benefit. This market is extremely interesting. Yes, it’s complex. Yes, it doesn’t like lazy and impatient people. But if you can overcome yourself, a path will open up before you capable of supporting you and your family.
