How it's done

Uploading of the photos is done in a variety of ways.  When just starting out, it is simplest to upload your images with the online upload tool provided at the stock sties.  However if you have a large number of images to upload the quickest method is using an FTP program.  An ftp program transfers files from your computer onto the stock photography website's server.

To upload your photos you will fist have to create an account at the various microstock websites.  I suggest submitting to one or two websites at first to try things out and then later sign up with additional sites.

Which Sites to Choose

The earnings potential at the various stock sites varies significantly.  There are currently 6 microstock websites which provide a decent return for your photos, an additional 2 or 3 sites that have OK earnings and a large number of microstock sites which provide very little to no sales.

Two good sites to start with, are Dreamstime and Fotolia.  They have reasonably simple upload procedures, have good sales and are don't require test images to be sent in.  These two sites are good for getting your feet wet and producing good sales in the long term.

Once you have a few photos prepared, Shutterstock is the place to apply.  Shutterstock is the top producing site according to the members of microstockgroup and well worth your time.  Uploading to shutterstock is a simple procedure making the time invested in the site very little.  Shutterstock requires a test submission of 10 photos so be prepared to show your best.  If you don't pass the initial submission you will have to wait 1 month to reapply

The remaining top selling stock sites are Istockphoto, StockXpert, and 123RF.

Istockphoto was the first microstock site in the industry and provides great sales for you photos.  Istockphoto is owned stock agency giant Getty Images.

StockXpert (owned by Jupiter Images) and 123RF (owned by Inmagine) both being back by large companies have proven themselves to be stable earners in the recent years.