How to Get Photos Approved on Shutterstock

To make certain your images are accepted, it is important to understand the approval process when uploading photos on Shutterstock. In order to be accepted by Shutterstock, your images must meet some specific requirements. This includes technical quality, artistic merit and compliance with copyright achievements. Here are the steps involved in the approval process:

• Initial Review: Your photos are first checked for quality and technical issues.
• Content Review: The images are evaluated for creativity and relevance.
• Copyright Check: Ensure your images don’t infringe on others’ rights.
• Final Decision: You’ll receive feedback about your submission.

Creating High-Quality Photos for Approval

When uploading photos in Shutterstock, it is important that they are of high quality. Some important components include:

• Resolution: Aim for a minimum of 4 megapixels for good clarity.
• Lighting: Ensure your photos are well-lit and avoid shadows.
• Focus: Keep your subject sharp; blurry images will likely be rejected.
• Composition: Use the rule of thirds and balance your images well.

Picture quality can be significantly improved by using a good camera or smartphone with a decent lens. Image editing software can also enhance your images. However, don’t overdo it; natural-looking photos usually have an upper hand.

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Tips for Meeting Shutterstock Guidelines

Keep the following tips in mind to follow Shutterstock's guideline, as it relates to their standards.

• Research Trends: Check what types of images are popular on the platform.
• Keyword Your Images: Use relevant keywords for better visibility.
• Avoid Over-Saturation: Don’t submit too many similar images at once.
• Stay Authentic: Use original content and avoid stock images from other sources.

Regularly check the Shutterstock contributor guidelines for any changes. If you adhere to these tips, you will be able to increase your chances of having your pictures accepted!

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Editing and Preparing Your Photos

Before submitting your images to Shutterstock, you need to edit them. This does not only make them appear attractive but also guarantees that they conform to quality norms. The following are key editing tips that can aid in photo preparation:

• Crop Wisely: Use cropping to enhance composition. Focus on your subject and eliminate distracting elements.
• Adjust Exposure: Ensure your image isn’t too dark or too bright. Use exposure adjustments to create a balanced look.
• Color Correction: Make sure the colors in your photos are vibrant but not overly saturated. Aim for realistic colors.
• Sharpen Details: Use sharpening tools carefully to enhance details without introducing noise.
• Save in the Right Format: Save your images in high-quality formats like JPEG or TIFF to maintain clarity.

After finishing your edits, examine your shots for any last minute tweaks. Ask for a friend or fellow photographer’s input; it is always good to have different perspectives. Bear in mind that quality counts and spending that extra time may result in approval!

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Submitting Your Photos to Shutterstock

Following your photo editing process, it’s time to submit your photos to Shutterstock. This is a pretty direct process, however there are some basics you should follow in order to make the submission process seamless like:

1. Create an Account: If you haven’t already, sign up for a contributor account on Shutterstock.
2. Upload Your Photos: Use the uploader tool to submit your images. You can upload multiple photos at once.
3. Add Keywords: Choose relevant keywords that describe your images. This helps in searchability.
4. Fill in Descriptions: Write a brief description for each photo to provide context and information.
5. Submit for Review: After filling in all the necessary information, submit your photos for approval.

Make sure you check your email for confirmation of submission. A well-organized and comprehensive submission process can enhance the overall experience.

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What Happens After Submission

Sometimes, after submitting your photos on Shutterstock, you may be left wondering about what would happen next. Knowing how this process works will allow for proper expectation management.

• Review Period: Shutterstock typically takes a few days to review your images. This can vary based on their workload.
• Approval or Rejection: You’ll receive an email notifying you whether your photos were approved or rejected.
• Feedback: If your photos are rejected, you’ll usually get feedback explaining the reasons. This can be valuable for future submissions.
• Uploading to Marketplace: If approved, your photos will be added to the Shutterstock marketplace, where they can be purchased by customers.
• Track Performance: Use the contributor dashboard to monitor how well your images are selling.

In this stage, one needs to be very patient. If your images get rejected, don’t get upset. Instead, take the feedback into consideration and work on improving before subsequently resubmitting them. Every time we submit something we have an opportunity to learn from it!

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Common Reasons for Photo Rejection

Receiving photo rejections from Shutterstock can be quite annoying, mainly due to your zeal and hard work you put in taking and editing those images. You need to have knowledge on some of the major reasons why your photos are rejected so that you do not fall into them; therefore this article outlines some of the common problems that lead to rejection:

• Technical Quality: Photos that are blurry, poorly lit, or out of focus are likely to be rejected. Make sure your images are sharp and well-exposed.
• Composition Issues: If your photo has a distracting background or poor framing, it may not meet Shutterstock's standards. Aim for balanced compositions.
• Copyright Violations: Submitting images that include copyrighted materials, logos, or identifiable people without model releases can result in rejection.
• Over-Editing: While editing is important, overdoing it can make your images look unnatural. Strive for a natural appearance without excessive filters.
• Unoriginal Content: Submitting images that look too similar to existing stock photos can also lead to rejection. Focus on creating unique and original content.

Prior to submission, it’s helpful to check your photos for the common errors listed below. You would be surprised how much approval rates would spike if you paid more attention!

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Frequently Asked Questions

As a novice contributor, you may possess plenty of queries about the procedure for submitting to Shutterstock. These may include frequently asked questions below:

• How many photos can I submit at once? You can upload multiple images in one go, but it’s best to keep submissions organized and manageable.
• What file formats does Shutterstock accept? Shutterstock primarily accepts JPEG and TIFF formats. Make sure your files are high-quality and meet their size requirements.
• How long does it take for photos to get reviewed? The review process usually takes a few days, but it can vary depending on the volume of submissions they receive.
• Can I submit photos of people? Yes, but you’ll need a model release form signed by the individuals in your photos for commercial use.
• What should I do if my photo gets rejected? Review the feedback provided by Shutterstock and use it to improve your photos for future submissions.

With answers to these queries, you may be sure about your progress in photography as a Shutterstock contributor.

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Conclusion

Shutterstock is where one can submit their pictures and have something to show later on, but for this you need to understand very well how the approval process works while paying attention to detail. To successfully sell your photos at Shutterstock, ensure that they are of good quality by following submission guidelines and being aware of why most people get rejected. Keep in mind that every submission is a chance for you to learn more and constructive criticism helps in becoming a better photographer.

If you keep repeating and improving your abilities, you will also find your place in Shutterstock Market. Good luck with your shooting!