How to Become a Shutterstock Contributor

3 Things Must Be Done to Become a Shutterstock Contributor

How to Become a Shutterstock Contributor

I recently got accepted into Shutterstock (shuttestock.com). Shutterstock is the most popular stock agency among other stock agencies. Over 35 million stock images, vectors, and footage clips.

3 Things must be done to become a Shutterstock Contributor

1. Create a Shutterstock account
2. Go to the Shutterstock marketplace and search for a category that is similar to your niche
3. Real experienced photos guidelines

Create a Shutterstock Account

Creating a Shutterstock account is one of the 3 things you must do, click on this link “create an account or sign in.” then you will see the “Start Here” window appear in the middle of a page. If you don’t see it, go to the top right corner of the page and click sign “Sign In” then a window pops up prompt you whether you need to sign up or sign in.

Go to the Shutterstock Marketplace

After creating the Shutterstock account, now you can search for a category that is similar to your niche. (click on this link) then type in the keywords that fit your niche (link). For example, my niche is sewing. I went ahead typed in “sewing tools” (photo) and click search. After that scroll down and see what is already in the marketplace.

You would use those existing photos as your reference. For instance, I looked through the photos that are on the Shutterstock marketplace then I use these references to come up with my own designs. I would recommend just having fun with it and trusting your creative mind as a designer/photographer.

You will create an amazing object which speaks of you in a unique look. These are some examples of my works that I got accepted into Shutterstock.

Personal Experienced Photos Guidelines

Angles

You can experiment with any angles you would like. Use your creative mind and transform those objects to however you like. Just have fun with them. For instance, I capture my objects with many different views and at the end, I would choose the best fit for those objects. These are the sample shots of my objects. Side and front views on my “Rabbit Pattern Hole Puncher” (photos).

Background

I chose a white background for my objects. However, you can select any background that supports your objects. Again, refer to the Shutterstock marketplace and come up with a unique style that represents you as a designer/photographer.

Lighting

Lighting is very important during the shooting process. I use a halogen stand work light from Low. However, you can purchase varieties of photography lights on Amazon.com. The price is from $40 to $200 dollar. These are the links for those lights: 1) Mini LED Camera Light with Cell Phone Holder Desktop LED Lamp. 2) Fancier studio lighting kit UL9004SB-69BWG 2000 Watt.

Technical Requirements

Useful link to Shutterstock “How do I submit photos for review?”

1. Shutterstock accepts images in JPEG and TIFF format, but they recommend JPEGs because all images will convert into JPEGs.
2. All images must be at least 4 MP (megapixels). For example, 2,000 x 2,400 pixels = 4.8 megapixels. This file size is acceptable.
3. Color must be converted to sRGB.
4. Photos must not contain any copyright.

Author Notes

I recommend clicking on this “Guidelines by content type” link. It is a very useful tip. Sample information contains in my photo:

1. I shot the photo in a raw file.
2. I use Photoshop to do retouching. fffff

Metadata

1. Document type: JPEG file
2. File size: 5.41 MB.
3. File dimensions: 4164 x 3648
4. File dimensions (in inches): 13.9” x 12.2”
5. Resolution: 300ppi
6. Bit Depth: 8
7. Color mode: RGB
8. Color profile: sRGB IEC61966-2.1

Please send me a comment and feedback below. I am looking forward to it.