Getty Images
Description
Getty Images is one of the most recognized stock photography and video marketplaces in the industry. Its content is licensed by major news organizations, advertising agencies, publishers, brands, and media companies around the world.
Becoming a Getty contributor is more challenging than joining many other stock platforms. The company maintains strict quality standards and looks for content that meets professional commercial or editorial needs. Because of this higher barrier to entry, accepted contributors often gain access to clients with larger budgets and more specialized licensing requirements.
Contributors earn royalties whenever their photos or videos are licensed. Earnings vary based on factors such as content type, licensing terms, and contributor agreements. Editorial photography, news coverage, sports imagery, entertainment events, and unique real-world moments are often among the most valuable categories because businesses and media outlets need timely, high-quality content that is difficult to replicate.
For professional photographers and videographers, Getty Images can provide access to premium licensing opportunities and long-term royalty income from a strong portfolio of commercial or editorial content. While acceptance is competitive, the platform remains one of the most respected destinations for creators looking to license professional visual media.
Rights-managed licensing can earn hundreds or thousands per single image use.
Editorial photography at major events can generate extremely high-value licenses.
Getty's brand reputation adds credibility to your professional portfolio.
Content can earn for decades from a single shoot or submission.
Lower royalty percentage than platforms like Alamy or self-managed licensing.
Primarily serves editorial and commercial clients, lifestyle and generic content performs less well.
Application and review process can take months before income begins.
Leave a Review for Getty Images
Stocksy United
- Pay : 50% royalty on standard license sales. 75% royalty on extended license sales. Standard licenses typically sell for $30 to $150 per image. Extended licenses sell for $150 to $1,000+. Annual profit-sharing distributions for accepted cooperative members. Active contributors with curated libraries report $500 to $5,000+ per month.
- Best For : Professional photographers with a strong, visually distinctive portfolio who want the highest royalty rates available in the stock photography industry and a genuine ownership stake in the platform they contribute to.
- Skill Level : Advanced (distinctive professional portfolio required, selective application process)
- Payment Method : PayPal, bank transfer
- Country Availability : Globally
Dreamstime
- Pay : 25% royalty for non-exclusive contributors. Up to 60% for exclusive contributors. Per-download earnings range from $0.15 to $1.20 for subscription purchases and up to $30 for on-demand license purchases. $0.20 upload bonus per new submission available at higher contributor tiers.
- Best For : Photographers and illustrators willing to commit to exclusivity for significantly higher royalty rates, or creators who want a beginner-accessible platform with a referral income stream alongside their portfolio royalties
- Skill Level : Beginner to Intermediate
- Payment Method : PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill, checkv
- Country Availability : Globally
Depositphotos
- Pay : $0.25 to $0.33 per subscription download for new contributors. 30% to 38% royalty on on-demand pack purchases. Rates increase as your contributor level rises with lifetime downloads. Active contributors with large portfolios report $200 to $1,500+ per month depending on portfolio size and content demand.
- Best For : Photographers, illustrators, and videographers who want to build a diversified passive income portfolio across a globally active stock platform with a clear commission growth path
- Skill Level : Beginner to Intermediate
- Payment Method : PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill
- Country Availability : Globally
Pexels Contributor Program
- Pay : Earnings vary depending on contributor programs and brand partnerships. Client projects generated through portfolio exposure can range from $200 to $2,000+ per contract.
- Best For : Photographers and videographers who want free exposure, portfolio growth, donations, and occasional cash prize opportunities.
- Skill Level : Intermediate
- Payment Method : PayPal or bank transfer (where applicable)
- Country Availability : Globally
Unsplash
- Pay : Unsplash+ contributors typically earn $10 to $50 per accepted image, with the exact rate shown on each brief.
- Best For : Photographers and visual creators who want to build an audience while pursuing paid photography opportunities.
- Skill Level : Intermediate to Advanced
- Payment Method : Banking information and an available payment method selected through Unsplash's payment process.
- Country Availability : Globally
Foap
- Pay : Creators receive 50% of the license fee from standard Foap Market sales. Mission rewards vary by campaign, while branded opportunities can have their own rates.
- Best For : Photographers and video creators who want to earn from their existing visual content and take part in brand campaigns.
- Skill Level : Beginner (smartphone camera and basic photography eye required)
- Payment Method : PayPal
- Country Availability : Globally