Shutterstock Contributor Reviews

Horrible

Looneygal

Didn’t approve any of my images. They were perfectly fine and taken with IPhone 11 Pro Max. Zero stars. Deleted.

3 years and lots of joy later

hpb&j

Shutterstock is the best of what a public company can do when it wants to do the right thing . The software and people who support it are more than one could hope for.

No help at all

lactosefreebish

I sent in many beautiful photos that were all rejected every time. Sent an email asking for help and got none. Hopefully I’ll get some help soon. For now 1 star review.

The app is very very strict. Sometimes as a photographer we like to get creative with our images and sometimes the look we’re going for might have some grain or the main subject might be out of focus, which was intentional. More recently it hasn’t been letting me upload pictures saying they aren’t more than 4mp. I know for a fact my DSLR shoots way above 4mp even after post production editing it still looks crisp and clear. And in the past they’ve uploaded just fine use the same camera, editing software, everything remained the same I’m not sure if this is a bug or what. Haven’t received much of a payout either. kind of wasting my time, money, and gas to go shoot what they recommend sells for each month.

High rejection rates and low payouts

Drummer4uva72894

I have been using half a dozen similar sites over the years, and this one has the highest rejections rates and lowest payouts of all the apps. Sometimes I just don’t even understand the reason for rejection, I double check the photo I upload and it just doesn’t match the reason they are rejecting...and one that always gets me, I need a model release for a silhouette?! I mean MAYBE, if it’s an up close portrait where you can see the shapes and features of the face, but a silhouette from thirty feet away, seriously?! Or a silhouette from behind where you can’t tell if the person could be 15 or 50?! I’ve made some money here, but it’s almost to the point where it’s not even worth my time anymore.

This whole app is fake

FalaRome

I have uploaded one of my photos made in Hungary during twilight as my first work on Shutterstock. I have waited for admins review not too long. The very next day all 13 photos were disapproved for literally the same reason - main subject is not in focus, motion blur... or technical limitation of the equipment used. Ha, very nice! Considering I am using Nikon Z6. Well, Shutterstock, take these images as a gift!

What type of system do you people have?

In game name : smauug

Why are photos being rejected for not being “descriptive enough” or, “don’t explain the subject?” Or “it isn’t written in English” when it is! I am very annoyed by this I tried to upload my first photo which was a heart, that was burning in a blue flame. I put the description as “Blue burning heart symbolizing not all hearts break immediately, they slowly burn.” Which was definitely descriptive enough. Please just review your broken approval system.

Doesn’t support Shutterstock Video

EDM24/7

As a videographer, I would love to see the app brought into parity with the website, which supports video contributions

Photographer

omexav

The app is being very complicated for me

Sell your photos

daffy1108

For those wishing to make a little side money on their hobby of photography , contributor by shutter stock is one avenue. However their strict standards can be quite annoying. Must have a release for so many things : public buildings like Eiffel Tower, or even someone’s home. Peoples faces that can be recognized also requires release. Brand names like Coke or McDonalds require release. So far only made a few dollars with some photos. Will continue uploading more photos and see if there can be small compensation for my time and efforts.

Shutterstock Contributor Reviews – Page 5