Signing up with Shutterstock

[zumbruk]

I thought I'd sign up with a stock agency (see if I can recover some of the depreciation on my 35mm film cameras ), and since several people here have recommended Shutterstock, I went there.

Except ... they want a scan of a piece of official documentation to confirm who you are. I don't have a new ID Card style driving license, so that leaves a passport. I'm rather reluctant to upload a scan of my passport to a web site, especially one in a country with such lax data protection laws as the US.

What did other people use as their "prove who am I" document?

[UKBob]

Here are my affilliate links, sign up under meeeee

Shutterstock

fotolia

Dreamstime

istockphoto

Bigstock

Not wanting any delays or questions, I photographed both my drivers license and passport. They have 40k registered photographers, the shutterstock owner is also a microstock photography enthusiast and shooter, your details are probably safe and in good hands, and either of the above pieces of ID should suffice. Worry not young jedi, just upload it. And check out www.lockstockphotography.com for a few tips on what to do before you submit your first batch of 10 microstock photos.

[Platinum]

How are you doing with your stock sites Bob? Any change in the downloads?

I reached my first payout this month (I have not uploaded anything since early December, but January was reasonable compared to my other months.)

[UKBob]

Platinum said:

How are you doing with your stock sites Bob? Any change in the downloads?

I reached my first payout this month (I have not uploaded anything since early December, but January was reasonable compared to my other months.)

My shutterstock sales totalled about $1200 over the last three months, which isnt too bad considering I didnt upload any photos at all for 2 whole months. You know how sales slow righ down when you stop uploading to SS. Not sure about the other sites, havent checked them in a while.

[UKBob]

congrats on your first payment btw

[poah]

Bob earns enough TBH, use my affilliate links, sign up under me lol

Shutterstock

Edited by poah on Wednesday 31st January 21:49

[Platinum]

UKBob said:

Platinum said:

How are you doing with your stock sites Bob? Any change in the downloads?

I reached my first payout this month (I have not uploaded anything since early December, but January was reasonable compared to my other months.)

My shutterstock sales totalled about $1200 over the last three months, which isnt too bad considering I didnt upload any photos at all for 2 whole months. You know how sales slow righ down when you stop uploading to SS. Not sure about the other sites, havent checked them in a while.

Edited by Platinum on Wednesday 31st January 22:23

[speedychrissie]

BOB, that is very impressive! atleast when you become universally recognised as the greatest stock photographer in the universe ever, i can say "i remember when he started it all off!"

[UKBob]

speedychrissie said:

BOB, that is very impressive! atleast when you become universally recognised as the greatest stock photographer in the universe ever, i can say "i remember when he started it all off!"

I'll never become the greatest, or close. Ive got limited staying power with 'things' in life, and am surprised Im still shooting.

Im sure a few of you remember me driveling on about "my new chum" andres last year.

To cut a long story short, the chap has only been shooting for a couple of years, yet he earns £6k a month, feels he is only just getting started but is very much at the top of his game in relation to the other microstock shooters. Makes my $400-$500 monthly pale in comparison.

Whilst the £6k is nice, and money is good, what impresses me most is that he gets to do what he enjoys most in life and it pays the bills too. Thats priceless.