How I submit photos on shutterstock: A Simple Five-Step Process


You've successfully registered your contributor account, what comes next? Naturally, it's time to make your inaugural content submission!

Now, we shall delve into the procedure of uploading photographs, thus inaugurating the journey into the realm of microstock imagery.

Shutterstock File Types

Before uploading any material, it is imperative to ascertain the file format. Different stock libraries have slight variations in their requirements for file formats, color settings, and dimensions. For instance, Shutterstock accepts three types of materials: Photos & Illustrations, Vector Images, and Videos.

Photos or Illustrations (.jpg)

The image size must be a minimum of 4 MP (million pixels), with a maximum file size of 50 MB.

Vector (.eps)

The file size should be a minimum of 4 MP but not exceeding 25 MP, with a maximum file size of 100 MB.

Videos (.mov or .mp4)

Duration ranging from 5 to 60 seconds, with a file size not exceeding 4 GB. Preference is given to HD and 4K footage. Videos should not include any audio unless it serves to enhance the footage or is deemed necessary for editorial content.

For detailed official specifications, please refer to:


Shutterstock Content Upload Methods

Shutterstock provides a comprehensive array of upload methods, including web, FTP, and app interfaces.
  • Web: Enables uploading of both images and videos.
  • FTP: Facilitates bulk uploading of images and videos. However, it's noteworthy that filenames cannot contain Chinese characters when using FTP. 
  • App: Solely supports photo uploads.
Please refer to Shutterstock's tutorial "How do I upload content via FTPS?" for further guidance.


Shutterstock Submission Process

Upon initial submission, detailed instructions will be provided, guiding you through each step. You may upload photos or illustrations (minimum of 4 million pixels), videos, and vector graphics.

It's crucial to note that if your submission includes clear frontal portraits of individuals or distinctive properties, you'll need to include model or property release forms, such as those provided by Taipei 101. For property-related inquiries, please consult the official guidelines on Known Image Restrictions.

※The submission process outlined in this article utilizes the legacy version of the contributor dashboard.

  • Step 1: Uploading Photos

Upon accessing the contributor information dashboard, navigate to the top-right corner and click on "Upload".

For newly approved contributors, upon their initial visit to the contributor information panel, they will be seamlessly directed to the photo upload page.


  • Step 2: Editing Photo Information

Next, you'll proceed to input the essential details for each image: photo description, category, tags, and more.


To commence editing, simply click on the desired image. Initially, there might be no description provided. You can begin by searching for similar photos through the buyer portal to gather insights on how to craft a compelling description.


※ Notes
You can select multiple images for batch editing, typically addressing keywords for photos with similar themes collectively before fine-tuning individual descriptions.


  • Step 3: Keyword

Clicking on "Find More Keywords" below the keyword section will lead you to the keyword tool.

※ Notes
If there are visible Chinese characters within the images, translations should be added to the descriptions.

For works involving trademark or portrait rights issues without accompanying release forms, you can select "Editorial" to indicate that the photos are intended solely for news purposes. Further explanations regarding editorial usage will be provided in subsequent articles.


After selecting any three images, keyword suggestions will be generated. This feature not only saves time by providing pre-existing keywords but also offers insights into how others approach keywording.


Tips 1: It's recommended to select at least 30 keywords to enhance search exposure.

Tips 2: If you use Photoshop or Lightroom for photo editing, you can directly edit keywords in the photo information panel. Later, when uploading to various stock libraries, you can seamlessly import these keywords.


  • Step 4: Submission

Once you've finished editing the photo information, simply click "Submit," and your task is accomplished.




Afterward, you can review the photos under the "Pending Review" section. There will be a message stating, "We will review your pending submissions within 5 days and notify you immediately upon completion." However, in practice, reviews are typically completed within 1 to 2 business days.


  • Step 5: Review Your Portfolio

Approved photos will appear in your portfolio within 3 days. In some cases, you might see them within as little as half an hour, while in others, it may take about a day. Rarely will it take the full 3 days.


Conclusion

Overall, the Shutterstock submission process is user-friendly, with fast review times. However, drawbacks include the difficulty of the revamped contributor dashboard and slow webpage loading speeds.

For friends eager to turn their photos into income, I encourage you not to hesitate and to promptly embark on your new venture.


Take action now!




This article has been translated from Chinese to English with the assistance of ChatGPT.

Cover Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash


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