Is Stock Photography Still Worth It in 2025?

Getting started with stock photography is easy. But making money on platforms like Shutterstock? That’s a whole different story. After six years on Shutterstock, I’ve earned a grand total of $100. While it was nice to make some money, the payout levels have dropped significantly, and the reality of the situation has been a bit disappointing.

With the rise of AI platforms like Midjourney, I can’t help but think stock photography in its current form might be nearing the end. Is stock photography still worth your time? Let’s dive into my experience and the lessons learned along the way.

Working and Making Money: The Addiction We Don’t Talk About

After 17 years with one company, I found myself addicted to the routine of earning a paycheck. The anxiety and fear of losing that security made me scramble for ways to replace my income when I stopped working. In that rush, stock photography seemed like a quick fix.

It wasn’t until I slowed down, four months ago, that I realized my relationship between time and money needed a reset. There’s more to life than chasing the next dollar.

Why I Invested in Stock Photography

In my panic to find an income replacement, I came across a video of someone making 24 cents from uploading a single photo to Shutterstock. I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” I created my account, uploaded 14 photos—just random shots from my Instagram—and waited.

To my surprise, within a few weeks, I had earned 25 cents. Someone in Russia purchased a dog photo. I was so excited I called my parents and wife to share the news. This small win sparked hope.

Finding Out What Sells: The Struggle

I left my account untouched for two months until another purchase, again from Russia, netted me $2.30. I realized that stock photos didn’t have to be spectacular to find buyers.

This moment gave me hope that stock photography could provide some passive income. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. The market—not your mates, not even yourself—dictates what works.

Scaling on Shutterstock: Was It Worth It?

In an effort to scale, I hired a VA from the Philippines, initially for another project, but I transitioned her to help with my Shutterstock uploads. My goal was simple: leverage her time to handle the labor-intensive tasks like titling, keywording, and submitting releases. I had over 700 photos ready to go and thought this could be a cash cow with minimal effort on my part.

The reality? It wasn’t.

Despite having a system in place, the financial returns never grew to a meaningful level. Shutterstock payouts sunk, and with the rise of AI-generated imagery, the value of traditional stock photos has been diluted. Making stock photography cash-flow positive today is more challenging than ever.

Is Stock Photography Still Worth It?

In hindsight, stock photography has been more of a time-consuming experiment than a profitable venture. If you’re considering starting out, know that the market is increasingly saturated, and returns can be meager. It’s certainly not the golden opportunity it once seemed, especially with the rise of platforms like Midjourney.

I did, however, create a ChatGPT bot that can help with adding titles, descriptions, and keywords. You can try it here: ChatGPT Stock Image Description & Keywords.

Final Thoughts

Stock photography can work as a side project, but be cautious of the time you invest versus the potential payout. The landscape is shifting rapidly, and it’s important to stay informed on the best ways to allocate your creative energy. While I don’t regret trying, it’s been a learning experience, and I’m now focusing my efforts elsewhere.

If you’re just getting started and curious to give it a try, here’s my referral link to Shutterstock (I get a small commission if you sign up). Good luck, and remember—your time is valuable!