Niche stock photo and footage portfolio

Designers, marketers, publishers, bloggers and small businesses that need ready-made images and footage, paying through the marketplace.

You earn a royalty each time someone licenses one of your files. Income grows slowly as your portfolio gets bigger and better keyworded.

• Photography or video shooting and editing
• Spotting what buyers search for
• Careful keywording and file organizing

• Model and property releases: most agencies require them for recognizable people and private property
• Logos, trademarks and artwork visible in your shots can cause rejections
• Check each marketplace's contributor agreement, including exclusivity and rules on AI training use
• Check with your city or county whether a business license is needed, and keep track of income for the IRS
• Income is slow and uneven at first, so treat it as a long-term build

Startup costs are typically around $300 to $3,000, depending mainly on your camera, lighting and editing equipment. Marketplaces run the storefront and payments and take a share of each sale.

Monthly revenue is typically around $100 to $500, depending on the size and quality of your portfolio and what buyers search for. Income is slow and uneven at first, so treat it as a long-term build.

Most agencies require model and property releases for recognizable people and private property. Visible logos, trademarks and artwork can cause rejections. Read each marketplace's contributor agreement, including exclusivity and AI training rules, and check whether you need a business license.