How to join microstock photography sites?

So much about microstock photography, then how to join them and start making some pocket money? It is easy, just sign up, and off you go. Well, not really so simple. Some sites do require a bit more, which I will discuss below.

1. iStockPhoto

This is one of the most strict sites to get in. First you have to go through a tutorial for photographers to understand what is required from iStockPhoto. At the end of the tutorial, take a test, if you pass, then you can sign up for an account, free of charge, of course. In order for your account application to be accepted, you need to email/fax them a scan/photocopy of your passport to verify your identity. A color scan of your passport info page will be good.

Once your account application is accepted, you will be asked to upload 3 of your best photos for them to assess your work, whether they can meet the technical requirements as well as their commercial value. If you get through this as well, then congratulations! You can upload your photos to the site for review and start earning money! However, there is still a catch here. For a newbie, you can only upload a maximum of 15 photos every 168 hours.

Their review is also the toughest. It takes a lot of effort for me to get my photos accepted, but those photos that get accepted can get me some steady income. It is worth the effort.

2. ShutterStock

ShutterStock is also tough, they have a zero noise tolerance policy. You can sign up on their site for a free account. For your application to be accepted, you need to email/fax a scan/photocopy of your passport to them for identity verification as well. After that, you need to submit 10 photos for them to review. If you get 7 out of the 10 approved, then congratulations! You are a member of the club, otherwise, you have to wait for one month, before you can submit 10 photos again for them to review.

Other sites are a lot easier, you don't have to show them a copy of your passport, there is no initial review of your work. Simply upload and get started. However, those sites also give you less income than the abovementioned two. Well, good things never come easy.