April Stock Photography Earnings: Shutterstock shocker!

What have I been up to in April 2024?
Why the sad face Andrew?
What's with all the subscription sales Shutterstock?
Stay tuned for the Stock Photography Earnings Video!
Help support my channel and buy me a coffee paypal.me/Andr...
#adobestock #Dreamstime #Shutterstock, #pond5 #AndrewBalcombe, #sellingphotosonline #microstock #stockphotography

[@lauratenveen]

Hello Andrew! (: Long comment incoming! I'll share my earnings & mindset with you. On Shutterstock, I earned a measly $4.40 for 30 downloads. It can be incredibly frustrating to mostly have $0.10 sales, so I try to use what's been selling as inspiration to shoot similar content. For instance, since something as random as cigarette butts on the ground sells, you could shoot more litter-type content! I also try to remind myself that the fact that it sells means that people are able to find my images. On Adobe Stock, I earned $30.70 for 34 downloads (about 50% ai images). The highlight was a $9 sale of a video that I took a couple of months ago on my way to work. That reminded me to capture more spontaneous moments. And then the sale that completely blew me away: On Pond5 I sold two drone videos of the city I live in for a total of $55! Fingers crossed that'll happen more often haha! I hope May will bring you more sales!

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Thanks very much Laura. It looks like you had mixed results but your efforts and creativity have brought you some impressive results. There will be ups and downs from the agencies (mostly ss) but your consistency is paying off by the looks of it. I just videos some rare sand lizards this morning so i'm reinvigorated again! Have a good May and enjoy the sunshine!

[@Gustaiiv]

I actually do look forward to your videos!

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

hey hey, thank you!

[@GracefulMusefulQueen-xm3uf]

Next monte will be better! I have no sales!

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Thank you!

[@steventritton4245]

Andrew, sorry to hear about the awful month in April and really hope it picks up for you this month for the next report. But have to say, your humor throughout this update gave me a laugh I haven't had in weeks or even months! Could well be a hidden talent you have there!! Again, hope to hear of better results for you next month. All the best.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Thanks Steven! You are very kind and I'm glad it gave you some laughs. I'm a foolish optimist and will keep believing it will all be fine! I hope the following weeks and months keep giving you reason to smile matey!

[@graemejbatyphoto]

I feel your pain. Shutterstock has completely died for me. Less than $2 for April is just thee worst I've ever had! I don't really do video so it's extra brutal when photo sales dry up. Adobe has been amazing though. PS if you submit protest/event photos to Dreamtime they occasionally feature images for their "In the News" section and pay for each photo they select. I've had a few $5 bonuses that way :)

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

thanks for sharing your earnings ups and downs. I didn't know that about drmstime so that is very interesting. I hope your sales pick up too, it's rough out there!

[@maddiem5921]

Thanks for the laughs Andrew, we are in the same bitter and twisted boat! On SS I mostly just sell videos now, but rarely make over $50 because they give me $1 or less for each sale. I think my lowest were for 36 cents each. It's gone from by best earning sites to one of the lowest, but it's videos on Adobe stock that sell well for me now, as well as iStock though that's hit and miss. On balance, it's still worth it for me, but I with long breaks when I get too annoyed!

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

thank you for sharing that and I'm glad i'm not alone with my bitter and twistedness 🙂 Excellent that the video side of things have picked up for you though. I have to learn to adapt faster to this rapidly shrinking and changing microstock landscape we find ouselves in.

[@BrutallyHonestStockGuy]

Yeah, it's pretty much a waste of time. Shutterstock is RIP, unfortunately. I also had a shockingly bad month at SS and didn't make a $100 payout which has been a super rare occurance since late-2015 (not so rare these months though). At least we still have Adobe Stock to be optimistic about. Thanks for putting together these videos and still trying to be upbeat despite the bad news. I need to create my April YT report but keep getting distracted lol Thanks also for the mention :) All the best

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Hi Alex, sorry to read that SS sales were down for you too. Lets hope I have something to be upbeat about next month. Oh well, better upload some of these XR protest videos, they aren't going to do it themselves! Cheers matey

[@GracefulMusefulQueen-xm3uf]

Adobe stock does not check my items for weeks! Maybe worth mentioning that I’m totally new to adobe😬

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

@@GracefulMusefulQueen-xm3ufI've noticed that waiting time are now longer for AS and also for SS. I beliwve it's because so manu AI assets are being uploading, leading to longer wait times

[@user-jz1ws8qw8z]

My Shutterstock sales for April were down also. I enjoyed your video--it made me feel a little better that I wasn't the only one who was SS slammed.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Thanks for the comment. It also makes me feel better that i'm not the only one !

[@patrickherzbergfotografie]

Stock photography is not a waste of time. Next week I'm going on a 3-day city trip by train to Düsseldorf. Paid entirely with income from stock photography. Istock was a bit disappointing, but overall I had a pretty average month.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Glad to hear you had a decent month Patrick and that you are going to enjoy a city trip on the proceeds of something you enjoy! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@mirovrlik]

Hi Andrew, thanks for sharing, do not worry, every moth is different story

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Thank you Miro. All the best to you!

[@aleksandratokarz4915]

Sorry to hear that Andrew. It will go better, as always with stock photography! My April was nice, still having around 200 sales on SS, nice video sale on Adobe. But getty was very disappointing with 10$ - similar to your result. I always enjoy your videos and admire your photos, keep going!

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Thanks Aleksandra, your results are excellent. And thanks for the encouragement too, also about my pics! Have a great May!

[@VanessaBentley]

Thank you for your videos, I always enjoy them. I have a small portfolio, even though I've been uploading since 2016. I'm sorry that you had one of those 10 cent months on SS. I've noticed that over the last year I have had more sales of over 10 cents, and I'm thankful for that. So I'm sure you will have a better May.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Thanks very much Vanessa! I will keep believing that next month will indeed be a better one!

[@SergioFmrs]

Many times we think we waste out time… but it is our time we waste it as we want 🤣. I’ll enjoy your videos, so go on with them and your PhotoStock journey

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

That is very kind of you to write Sergio. Much appreciated !

[@occipitalexposure5059]

I'm on the verge of cutting my losses with both Alamy and Pond5. For me, their performance has been beyond abysmal for well over 6months, and probably close to a year. Not sure what is going on behind the scenes with mergers and acquisitions.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

I keep saying this about P5 and then they surprise me with a half decent sale. Even Alamy has come though with a small sale this month. As long as I see life, I will have some hope 🙂

[@lspeventmedia7836]

Hi Andrew, don’t be disheartened, some months go like that. My April at As was quite poor comparatively. However, SS pleasantly surprised me as one video sold for almost $38 bringing the total to way above my expectations. Sometimes videos just sit there for months and then, out of the blue, they give you a nice surprise. Take heart, you’ve been, along with a couple of other contributors, were instrumental me getting into stock photos and videos. I hope the month of May makes up for the poor revenue in April. I, along with others, look forward to your videos and see you as my ‘virtual’ friend…

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

That is so kind of you to tell me that and it means a lot to me. Thank you for your support, I really feel better now I've read this.

[@byruineves]

Microstock is great for countries where the currency is not worth a lot. Getting paid in dollars is great. Its like every other business, if they pay less but theres still content being created, why should they pay more? Even if it means lack or decrease in quality. As long as customers are mildly happy, its fine.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

also microstock is good for students wanting a part time gig. I wish I had done it when I was studying and over 18

[@mzk7774]

Hi Andrew! Daaamn, I feel for you... SS is declining for many people. I made 250 dollars in April, but I give stock more than 20hrs/week. If I was not lazy, I would have already moved on to become a photojournalist or real estate photographer where I could earn some real money for my time. Are you going to Air cooled Scheveningen this year? It is getting close. Btw, very skillful "gannet trapped in plastic" cover up :)

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Ha, thanks for that regarding the old gannet video sneaky ;-). Twenty hours a week is admirable indeed and you will see a good return on that. 250 is impressive so well done. Photo journalism is great fun indeed but stockphotography is too. Real estate, not sure. I have a feeling the clients could be a right pain. I'll be heading to Scheveningen for the aircooled exhibition for sure. Fingers crossed for sunny weather! Maybe see you there.

[@JWhyte123]

ha ha... stock photography is not the path to millions thats for sure! Thanks for posting.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Thanks Jeff. Your hard work in uploading inspires me!

[@JWhyte123]

@@andrewbalcombe1338 I have been pretty slow uploading myself this year.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

@@JWhyte123 life gets in the way 🙂

[@elmorbah9836]

What is the best size to upload an image to Adobe Stock?

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

check out their contributor instructions on their exact requirements. I always uplaod the maximum quality jpeg. Around 10 15 MPs but I think you can upload smaller ones.

[@BrettHondow]

Hi Andrew, thanks for the video. Oh, and stock photography is a total waste of your time and my time! But we love our hobby anyways. :) My stats for April: Shutterstock 149 downloads, $55 Adobe Stock 151 downloads $113 Alamy 2 downloads $3.07, $61.20 (minus 60% commission and it won't be much) iStock I have no idea, I can only export details for March. The rest aren't worth mentioning either! Keep plugging away Andrew. :)

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Ha🙂I do enjoy reading that! You are delivering by the looks of it. Thanks for the stats update and for the encouragment! PS i'm jealous about your Alamy sales

[@BrettHondow]

@@andrewbalcombe1338 Lol don't be too jealous, I haven't had another in a few weeks. Ah I remember taking a few cigarette butt pictures too a few years ago... I never sold a single one lol.

[@annerichard788]

I also had a pathetic April month at Shutterstock, with all those pesky 10, 12 and 14 cents sales. I don't think I've had as bad a month in years, even though I did get 137 downloads, all photos. I sell more for less, it seems, every month now at SS. Adobe performs better for me by far.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

SS is certainly struggling that's for sure. 137 sales is impressive though. Thanks for sharing and I hope we get some larger photo sales instead of those subscriptions!

[@bananaukra3235]

Hi . Thank you for your channel, it's one of the few I follow. Do you think it's bad right now to just upload AI images to Adobe Stock and photos taken by me to Shutterstock? I ask you this because Shuterstock has the option for editorial images and Adobe Stock doesn't have that option. This is one of the many questions I would like to ask you, but over time I will ask you the others. Continuation of your magnificent and videos. THANKS

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

I would upload my own pics to Adobe as well. If they are not editorial. That will increase your chances of sales there too. I upload editorial to them since they allowed me to a few years ago. I think if you want to upload AI imagery to AD then that's fine. I don't do it because I don't want to risk making a mistake with the upload procedure and have them ban my account and therefore cutting off that income generator for me. It's all new still and at the moment i'm watching and learning before I decide whether to dip my toes into AI.

[@bananaukra3235]

@@andrewbalcombe1338 My fear is that someone will download my photos and use them as if they were their own and in the editorial option only those who are interested can buy them and can also buy the same editorial photo in the commercial option. My photos and videos are from my travels and everyday life and as I'm afraid someone will "steal" them, I make them as editorials. The AI ones, as they are made by the program, I'm not so afraid of someone but "stealing" them and I've already noticed that unfortunately Adobe Stock takes forever to accept normal photos and the AI ones are almost instantaneous. Does anything else in your images use upscale? If so, what programs do you use? Thanks

[@billythefrog]

Stock photography is a total waste of time... To be honest, I didn't try the "Photography" part, I "wasted" lots of time creating vector illustrations. And although I kept making tiny sales each month for the last 9 years (in total 250 USD), it's not worth the time you put in IMO. I really liked creating unique illustrations and finding out what is in demand and becoming better at creating illustrations... but at one point I just realized that I would need like 10K+ images just to earn a few hundred bucks p/m... nope.. never gonna do that... hehe. You are doing way better than me though... so, yea, it's interesting to watch your videos, and it's great to see you live in Nederland, ;) I wish you all the best and luck ;)

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Thank you and sorry to hear the illustrations were so slow at selling. I wish you all the best and i hope to report better sales next month

[@klarion]

Well, now that anybody can upload or use ai to generate images, I would expect stock income to die. If you think this is depressing, consider that the recording industry died two decades ago and so did 30% of pro musicians income among millions. Most instrumental music you hear in production today is computer generated drivvel... ...

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

It's a possibility without doubt. I'm focusing on editorial pics and video but who knows....

[@mefisto2]

Shutterstock started showing me fewer photos when searching on it. Is it the same for you?

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

I'm not sure I understand the question sorry.

[@philliphickox4023]

Could you supply the link to Alex Rotenberg article on mass refunds?

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

it's down the page under earnings per agency for march and includes an explanation from I stock brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2024/03/31/march-2024-brutally-honest-earnings-report-happy-10-year-passive-income-anniversary-special/ My iStock results “fell off a cliff” Doesn’t help that 1/3 of my earnings were refunded. Really disappointed. Apparently a large buyer purchased the wrong license… “Thank you for contacting Getty Images | iStock.

[@philliphickox4023]

@@andrewbalcombe1338 Thanks for that

[@Midjourneywithdave]

I quit on uploading to all platforms, except Adobe Stock. And no more photos, only AI. In April I made $230 on Adobe, portfolio of 7300.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

an early adopter! I'm still a laggard 🙂

[@brightimage42]

I’m also focusing on AI now.. more regular sales than with traditional photography. It’s got it’s own creative workflow, which can be hard to adapt to but can also be fun, and also fulfilling when the images actually sell!

[@Midjourneywithdave]

@@brightimage42 If you can combine this with video then you can skyrocket with earnings.

[@kittykat2532]

Stock photography is a total waste of time --- I just want to make you happy!!:)

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

Thanks Kitty, i really enjoyed that 🙂

[@redmoonsmoon]

Alamy has been poor the last few months for me, I don't know why. I have been uploading just as much as before.

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

yes, i've been uploading the same aswell and no results. Very dissipointing. It could be just a phase thing though and sales will pick up again. Hopefully!