Microstocks and Photo Banks for Earning for Photographers and Illustrators

Hello everyone!
I create vector illustrations on the computer. Not long ago, I learned about micropayment photo banks on the Internet. It turned out that through photo banks or, in other words, microstocks, you can successfully sell your vector illustrations, as well as photos, 3D images, and videos. As a result, I started my work on photo banks and have no regrets so far.
Yes, while I do not have super-global experience in this field, like microstockers with years of experience, at the start of my career in microstocks, I dug through a bunch of sources, gathered numerous articles, and processed a large amount of information on this topic.

For a person starting now, in 2024, from scratch in working with microstocks or who has no idea about microstocks at all, it will surely take a lot of time to understand the nuances of working in microstocks.

In addition, there are many of my designer and photographer acquaintances who are interested in microstocks and would also like to have a single source of information about microstocks.

In this regard, I decided to start my own blog online, where I could share the collected materials about photo banks, interesting and useful information, as well as my own experience working in microstocks.

So, first of all, I would like to describe the general process of working in microstocks or, as they are also called, micropayment photo banks in 2024.

What is a micropayment photo bank or microstock?

First of all, a photo bank is a database of various images. This database unites the works of a large number of authors. The images in the photo bank are sorted, cataloged, and described with a set of keywords, so that potential buyers can easily and quickly select the needed photo or illustration from the entire array.

Who acts as a potential buyer in a photo bank?

Most often, photos and illustrations are purchased through microstocks (micropayment photo banks) by various designers and editors of various online and offline media outlets. This is because not everyone always has the opportunity, time, means, or skills to create a particular photo or illustration themselves.

Moreover, not every agency can afford to employ a professional designer or photographer. Also, any photographer or designer may face a creative block, and orders need to be completed.

In all these situations, photo banks come to the rescue. Like various exchanges, photo banks, in essence, act as intermediaries between image owners and their potential buyers.

The functions of a photo bank include finding buyers, storing a vast database of images, and processing payments. The delegation of these functions globally simplifies life for both buyers and authors.

I believe you now have a general idea of photo banks.

However, I did slightly deviate from the topic of my article. What I wanted to tell you about was microstocks as one of the subtypes of these photo services. Micropayment photo banks or microstocks are characterized by relatively low prices for images. Typically, the price of an image on them ranges from 1 to 10 dollars. It may not seem like much, but microstocks generate a very large volume of sales.

The main buyers of images on microstocks are web designers, various non-profit organizations, and small to medium-sized agencies. To broaden your understanding, I should mention that there are also macrostocks and midstocks. However, on these stocks, prices are much higher, the requirements for images are significantly greater, sales are hundreds and thousands of times lower, and there are certain conditions for working on macrostocks and midstocks that greatly narrow the circle of those wishing to work with them.

However, if one desires, they can try working on such types of photo stocks. In principle, with some basic knowledge and a willingness to learn, each of you can become an author on a microstock and earn money by selling your creative products.

What is sold on microstocks, and how is income generated?

The range of products that can be sold on microstocks is quite broad. Initially, at the stage of their emergence, most microstocks were limited to only photographs, but now the list of sellable products includes not only photographs but also illustrations (both vector and raster), results of 3D creativity, and even videos, audio, and Flash animations.

So, I think everyone can find their niche for earning here.

How much can one earn on microstocks?

Despite the low price of each individual sale, the monthly earnings of a professional microstock contributor with a decent volume of uploaded works, as practice shows, usually amount to several thousand dollars ($1000-$5000).

Newcomers, of course, must initially dedicate most of their time to building a portfolio of at least 200-300 works, which will at least cover their hobby expenses and, with certain skills, create a good foundation for stable monthly income.

Statistics show that the correlation between the number of works in a portfolio and income is as follows:

200-400 works – $50-200
500-1000 works – $200-1000
over 1000 works – $1000-5000

How to become a microstocker?

First and foremost, it is essential to realize that money is not paid for free anywhere, including in microstocks. Working in microstocks is just like any other job, with the sole difference being that you work for yourself. Moreover, you can unleash your creative potential while receiving a decent payment for it.

I believe most would agree that such a symbiosis can be found very rarely in today’s life. However, let’s specifically address what is needed to work with microstocks:

1. Be able to work with a computer + have a computer + Internet access.

I recommend that the Internet connection be unlimited, and even better, a dedicated line or ADSL connection. Although, to start with, a standard Dial-up connection (through a phone line) will suffice. Why such requirements for the quality of the Internet connection?

Working with microstocks, you will often need to upload large image files to microstocks. Although many microstockers started their work with Dial-up access and were quite successful.

2. Basic English language skills.

Why? 90% of microstocks do not have a Russian-language interface and are also aimed at the English-speaking buyer segment. When uploading your works, you will need to write brief descriptions and select keywords for them.

To describe a work, usually one sentence of 5-8 words will suffice. However, for good sales performance, you usually need to use about 30-50 keywords. Most microstocks have keyword suggestion services, but you still need to understand what you are selecting.

Although there are quite good online translators available, knowing English at least at a school level will be very beneficial.

3. Have at least ten ready, high-quality photos or illustrations.

Why so many right away? You will need them to pass the exam required to start working on leading microstocks.

Additionally, these works should have a resolution of at least 4 megapixels, meaning no less than 2000×2000 pixels on each side. Otherwise, not all microstocks will collaborate with you.

Also, if these are photos depicting faces or other recognizable body parts (tattoos, piercings, hairstyles), you will need to obtain a signed Model Release, which is a small document with the signatures of the photographer, the model, and one witness. Model Release is the consent of the model to use her in your works.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the absence of logos and trademarks on your works. Remember this both when preparing works for the exam and later in your work in microstocks.

4. For registration, you will need either a foreign passport or another form of identification in English, such as a driver’s license.

These documents will be required for identification when receiving payments for your earnings from the microstock. If you do not have these documents, you can register on the microstock using the documents of a friend, relative, etc. However, do not forget that you will also be listed on the stock under someone else’s name.

Although without documentation, there is no other way. However, I want to clarify that on some stocks, it is possible to do without documentation, but on leading ones, documents are mandatory.

5. Patience, patience, the desire to succeed, and a little bit of talent.

The Process of Working in Microstocks

So, what does the process of working in microstocks look like:

1. Microstocker registers on the microstock, submits works for the exam, receives confirmation of successfully passing the exam, and begins to periodically upload his works there.

2. Microstock Inspectors check the submitted works for compliance with the microstock’s requirements and decide whether to grant permission to add the work to your portfolio for further sale or to refuse for one reason or another in case of non-compliance with any requirements.

A rejection from the inspector for accepting a particular work should be taken constructively; do not get nervous, take the comments into account, and either make corrections or send another work. It is not worth getting upset with the whole world and quitting work in microstocks in the event of a refusal to accept a particular work.

Such a life philosophy leads only to failure, not success, and not just in stocks!

3. After confirmation of the work by the inspector, it is sold to all interested buyers at certain rates, and the author receives the agreed percentages. By the way, the author does not know the buyer’s name or the intended use of the purchased work.

Purchased works, in the future, you may see quite by chance. Yes, of course, someone may be outraged: “What if my work is used in a completely unacceptable design direction?” But this is life.

However, I want to calm you a little: firstly, buyers are obligated not to do this. Otherwise, under the conditions of selling the work on the microstock, buyers face legal proceedings. And in a civilized society, from which most buyers come, the phrase “legal proceedings” is not an empty phrase.

Secondly, if you are afraid of wolves, don’t go into the woods. If you don’t want your works to be used inappropriately, don’t sell them. Yes, there are many buyers online who, after purchasing a set of works, try to “share” them on torrents. But still, such buyers mostly come from poor countries and are largely not present in microstocks.

In addition, buyers themselves also never know where, by whom, and how the purchased work was used before them. So, buyers in microstocks also take risks when buying works.

To summarize the above, it can be said that any type of activity carries its risks, but also has its advantages. Working in microstocks or microstocking can become a good additional income, and for some, even the main source of income. Such income in the midst of a raging crisis will not be superfluous.

So, if you want to earn from the results of your creativity in the field of vector illustrations, photography, and video filming, then go ahead – master the microstocks!