Depositphotos Application Guide: Complete Microstock Registration Process

Depositphotos is one of the most well-known microstock platforms worldwide, offering a large buyer base, steady download volume, and relatively beginner-friendly review standards. 

This step-by-step application guide walks you through the entire registration process. With clear instructions and real-world tips, you can complete your account setup smoothly, start submitting your creative work, and increase opportunities for exposure and passive income.

In short, I recently started applying to my third microstock agency. After comparing 10 different microstock platforms and their commission structures, I decided to join Depositphotos because it offers one of the lowest payout thresholds and provides a simplified Chinese interface.

Since I couldn’t find any detailed tutorials online, I registered directly — thankfully the process was simple and very similar to other stock agencies. With just three easy steps, I successfully completed the application.

Items to prepare before applying: passport photo, tax form, and 5 test images for the initial review.

1. Create Your Account: Fill in the Application Information

Depositphotos uses the same account for buyers and contributors. You can sign up via the “Sign Up” button at the top right of the official website or scroll to the bottom and select “Become a Contributor.”

You can register directly with a Google account. To become a contributor, simply complete the required application details.

2. Upload Five Test Files: Photos, Vectors, Videos, or Audio

Upload five files for the initial portfolio review. Any media type is acceptable. Once approved, you can upload and sell any category of content.

Tips:

Upload files that have already passed review on other microstock platforms. No need to create brand-new samples.

Some contributors provide links to their portfolios on other agencies and claim it may help with smoother approval.

3. Upload Your Identification Document

Upload a photo of the first page of your passport. Once this step is complete, your registration is done — now you simply wait for contributor approval.

4. Submit the Tax Form

While waiting, you can fill out the tax form, which is required before you can withdraw earnings.

Since Depositphotos uses a unified interface for buyers and sellers, the settings are accessed through the same dashboard.

Conclusion

Depositphotos approves contributor accounts and W-8BEN forms fairly quickly — both were completed within a day for me. Content reviews take longer, usually around 10–14 days. After my images were accepted, I received my first download about 1.5 months later — a whole $0.25 USD — and then silence again.

Although I have to start uploading from zero on this platform, I simply copy the existing titles and keywords from my Adobe Stock and Shutterstock files, which makes batch uploading much faster. I’ll introduce more about Depositphotos’ contributor dashboard in future posts.

Take action now

• Depositphotos Contributor Referral: Want to increase passive income? Click here to join!
• Shutterstock Contributor Referral: Want to increase passive income? Click here to join!
• Shutterstock Customer Referral: Want to purchase images? Register here.
• Payoneer Referral: Register using this link and earn rewards.