Photopreneur’s Big List of Stock Photography Sites (categorized)
The Internet now contains thousands of stock photography sites, giving editors a huge choice of image sources, and photographers a wide range of outlets for their images. We’ve checked sites and pored over lists to produce our own guide to stock photography.
We’ve broken the sites down into subject categories but it’s likely that many overlap. Certainly, the large sites will also include niche subjects. Not all of the sites accept contributions but many do.
Entries are arranged alphabetically and should not be considered as recommendations. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully, and let us know about your experiences with the sites on the list and any that you think we’ve missed.
The Giants
Two stock companies dominate the industry. They’re big enough to set the prices, determine styles and lock in buyers with subscription fees. Many of the sites listed here are now subsidiaries of one of these firms.
General
Both Corbis and Getty accept images of every topic imaginable. Lots of other sites offer general images too.
Unique Payment Models
Stock companies generally license images on a royalty-free basis or a rights-managed basis, taking a (large) commission for themselves. Some stock companies though are pushing back against that model with payment plans of their own.
News
News and editorial images generally need to be delivered quickly to reach markets and generate sells.
Regional News
Local news services, even national rather than international ones, may offer targeted sources for buyers and contributors.
Celebrity
Some of the highest paying editorial images are shots of celebrities. Paparazzi images in particular have to be sent in very quickly.
Microstock
Microstock companies accept images from everyone but charge and pay small amounts on a royalty-free basis.
Artistic
Art rarely makes the best stock, which needs to functional rather than artistic. Some stock companies though do specialize in art images.
Independent Photography Network
Environmental
Images of the environment have become more important as interest in climate change has grown.
Science
Science images, including astronomy, can have strong demand but they often require access to laboratories and specialist tools.
Nature
With the right agency, it’s even possible license your shots of landscape, nature and animals.
Mangelsen: Images of Nature
Sports
Sports photography can be as topical as news or as general as portraiture. Some sites cover every sport; others focus on just one activity.
Travel
Making money out of your vacation photos isn’t easy. Create travel images of exotic locations though and you can license them on specialist stock sites.
US Regions
The United States is big and varied enough for images of different regions to have their own outlets.
International
Photographers in countries around the world can try to sell their images through sites that use the country or region as a brand.
Music
Images of musicians, instruments and performance can make a particularly valuable niche.
Industry
Images of industry and transport can be both valuable and difficult to produce. If you can arrange access, some specialist sites will be happy to take your targeted, quality images.
Food
Food pictures might need the help of a professional food stylist but they can make for a useful niche.
Aerial Photography
Aerial photography requires some special equipment and is usually commissioned. Some stock companies though do sell images shot from a height.
Add Yours here, in the comments. Include the category.
June 16th, 2011 at 6:15 am
You forgot about Demotix.com "News agency"
June 16th, 2011 at 6:27 am
Very useful list here. Small error on the microstock section, it's correct that everyone is allowed to submit images and that microstock agencies pay smaller amounts than traditional stock agencies, per license sold. However microstock sites don't "charge" their contributors, as mentioned in the article. Thanks.
June 16th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Useful information.
In your list there is no Russian microstocks: Lori, PressFoto
June 17th, 2011 at 7:11 am
I have been following your blog very carefully. Everytime you come up with some something so new and so usefull. This is an awesome list. Thank you so much for all the post. I would like to ask you something, which is better way to sell photos having all the photos on your website or flickr or through stock. One more small question, what do you think about http://www.500px.com
June 18th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
About Getty: the following link can throw some light: http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2011/04/05/new-getty-contract-met-with-apathy/#comments
Appreciate your excellent collection, though. Thanks for sharing!
June 19th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Great list. Now you can search through all of these stock photo agencies on one site. http://www.oseeris.com. You can also categorized your searches and more. It's a great tool and so far it's free.
June 22nd, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Great list. Can you add us to travel please, we specialise in all aspects of the Arctic and Antarctica.
June 24th, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Extremely useful list and categorization. Can you add us to the environmental section? Thanks.
June 27th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Don't forget Blend Images (www.blendimages.com)! The world's leading multiethnic stock agency!
Thanks for the Blog Post!
John
June 28th, 2011 at 10:23 am
Please add Transparencies, Inc. to the regional section or the small agency section. Thanks.
June 28th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
I think we are crawling all of the sites you have listed - Can you add us in a new section "ALL Stock Photo Sites"
July 11th, 2011 at 2:05 am
Great list ... can you please add us to the Unique Payment Models section ... no commissions!
Global Eye Images
Thanks!
September 5th, 2011 at 6:42 am
You forgot to mention http://www.imagebrief.com - the resource for advertising agencies to brief a global network of professional photographers.
December 28th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Please add http://www.allyoucanstock.com
royalty free stock photo agency
thank you, alloucanstock