A photographer adjusting camera settings while looking through the viewfinder.

Turn your creativity into income

Over $1 billion paid to contributors since 2003. Shutterstock helps creators like you unlock real earning potential through our global marketplace, data licensing, and creative opportunities.

More ways to earn

Whether you’re selling your multimedia content, powering AI training, or getting paid for your creative expertise — we help match your skills to high-demand opportunities.

Traditional creative licensing

License your photos, videos, vectors, and more to millions of customers around the world.

What you get

  • Additional income streams from multiple marketplaces
  • A global distribution engine for your portfolio
  • Guidance on what to create and tools to track earnings
New

Custom Content for AI

Maximize your existing portfolio or create entirely new content for AI and ML training.

How it works

  • Tell us what content you have or can create
  • Get notified when you match a new opportunity
  • Earn money on your content
New

Other Creator Opportunities

Monetize your expertise by completing specialized tasks that support AI development.

How it works

  • Tell us your skills and what media you work in
  • Get notified when an opportunity matches your expertise
  • Examples may include annotation, curation, editing, review, or scoring

Who can sell content with Shutterstock?

Photographer landscape example

Photographers

Upload images, take on custom shoots, or fulfill requests that need a photographer’s eye.Get started
Large catalog owners collage
New

Large catalog owners

License your catalog for AI training outside the traditional stock marketplace to create new earning opportunities.Get started
Designers and illustrators example

Designers and Illustrators

License original graphics, illustrations, and design assets, or support projects that need creative production and visual feedback.Get started
Videographers example

Videographers

License footage, work on custom video assignments, or support projects that need video review and editing expertise.Get started
Audio and music producers example

Audio and music producers

License your back catalog, music, or tracks for AI and ML training – or for customer use across video, ads, podcasts, and more.Get started

Examples of Opportunities

Increase your sales opportunities by submitting high-demand content or completing specific tasks for brands and AI training.

Creator resources

Hands using the Shutterstock contributor app on a mobile device.

Manage your earnings on the go

Upload content, track your income, and see market insights — all from your mobile devices.

Download the app

How Shutterstock works

If you have original content, we can help you monetize it in three easy steps.

  1. Create your free account
  2. Upload your content with useful metadata
  3. Grow your portfolio and track your earnings

Frequently asked questions

Yes, registration and submission are completely free.