Many new contributors joining Shutterstock often wonder why no one buys their photos, even though they've uploaded so many. At ajakteman.com, we'll discuss in-depth the reasons why photos on Shutterstock don't sell and how to increase your chances of selling, so your portfolio can grow faster.
Basic Understanding: Shutterstock Is Not a Place to Sell Random Photos
Most beginner contributors assume that any type of photo will sell. As a result, many upload random photos like:
- Photo of flowers in front of the house
- Photos of pets taken without a concept
- AI generated photos with rain or plain scenery themes
- Photos of leaves without commercial value
The problem is, the stock photography market operates based on the needs of buyers, not the preferences of photographers. So, before uploading, you should ask yourself: Who will buy this photo?
For example, a photo of flowers in front of a house has a very small, if not almost no, buyer potential. Therefore, these photos rarely sell.
The Main Reasons Why Photos on Shutterstock Don't Sell
1. Choosing the Wrong Photo Category
The stock photo market isn't always interested in the subjects you like. Many buyers are looking for images relevant to trends, news, or business needs. If you simply upload personal photos without doing any research, they'll likely get lost among millions of other images.
Example:
A photo of flowers in your yard vs. a photo of a signboard at a popular tourist attraction.
The signboard photo has a better chance of selling because it can be used for news stories, travel blogs, or travel brochures.
2. Not Utilizing Editorial Content
Many successful contributors focus on the editorial category , namely photos that capture real moments in the real world, such as:
- The atmosphere at a popular cafe
- Signboard of a famous restaurant or hotel
- Local events or festivals
- Iconic buildings in big cities
Editorial content is often needed by media, blogs, or publishers who need authentic images with location and time information.
3. Inadequate Photo Quality
Even if your photo idea is interesting, if the quality is poor, it will be difficult to sell. Shutterstock has strict standards, including:
- Focus must be sharp
- Balanced lighting
- No excessive noise
- Natural color
- Minimum resolution that meets the standard
Photos that are blurry, too dark, or oversaturated will usually be ignored by buyers.
4. Less than optimal in keywords and descriptions
One reason photos aren't found is because of inappropriate keyword
usage. If a buyer searches for "Jakarta cafe signs" but you only tag "cafe," your photo will lose out to more relevant competitors.
Keyword optimization tips:
- Use primary and secondary keywords
- Include location if relevant
- Use commonly searched terms
How to Increase Your Chances of Selling Your Photos on Shutterstock
Market Research Before Uploading
Check out sales trends on Shutterstock by searching for a specific topic and looking at the top-ranked photos. Pay attention to their style, composition, and the keywords they use.
Focus on Photos That the Market Needs
Instead of uploading random photos, target photos that have the potential to be purchased, such as:
- Editorial photos (famous buildings, city scenes, public events)
- Photos with business concepts (meetings, remote work, startups)
- Lifestyle photos that are relevant to trends (health, travel, technology)
Improve the Technical Quality of Photos
Use a good quality camera or smartphone, ensure sufficient lighting, and do a little editing to balance color and contrast.
Use Derived Keywords for Shutterstock SEO
In addition to the primary keyword, add derivative keywords to make your photo easier for buyers to find.
For example: For a photo of a cafe sign in Bali, derivative keywords might include:
- “Balinese cafe”
- “restaurant sign”
- “Bali culinary tourism”
- “Bali's hit restaurant”
Upload Consistently
The more relevant photos you upload, the greater your chances of being discovered and purchased. Consistency is key to building a portfolio.
Common Mistakes of Beginner Contributors
Relying on Random Photos
Thinking that all photos will sell just because they look good to the photographer, when in fact the market needs relevance, not just aesthetics.
Not Paying Attention to Copyright
Uploading photos with brands or people without commercial permission outside of the editorial category may result in the photo being rejected.
Not Analyzing Sales
Many contributors don't monitor which photos sell, yet this data is crucial for determining their next upload strategy.
So, the conclusion
The main reasons why Shutterstock photos don't sell are usually contributors uploading random photos without market research, ignoring editorial categories, poor photo quality, and inappropriate keyword usage. To succeed, you need to understand what buyers want, focus on quality and relevance, and consistently upload trending content.
With the right strategy, your Shutterstock portfolio can become not just a photo gallery, but also a stable source of income.