How to Submit Editorial Content to Shutterstock Successfully

If you’re passionate about photography and want to share your work with a global audience, Shutterstock is a fantastic platform to consider. Submitting editorial content can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to showcase newsworthy, informative, or culturally significant images. But navigating the submission process might feel overwhelming at first. Don’t worry! With a clear understanding of Shutterstock’s requirements and guidelines, you can increase your chances of having your content accepted. In this post, we’ll walk you through the essentials of submitting editorial content successfully and help you understand what

Understanding Shutterstock’s Editorial Content Guidelines

Before you hit that upload button, it’s crucial to understand Shutterstock’s specific guidelines for editorial content. These rules ensure that your images meet the platform’s standards for quality, legality, and appropriateness. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Content Types Allowed:

• Newsworthy events and current affairs
• Historical and cultural moments
• Public figures and celebrities in the context of their profession or an event
• Public spaces and landmarks
• Protests, demonstrations, or social movements

2. Legal and Ethical Considerations:

• Model and Property Releases: For recognizable individuals or private property, you need proper releases unless the content is deemed newsworthy and falls under fair use.
• Copyright: Only upload images you own or have permission to share. Avoid copyrighted content unless you have rights.
• Privacy: Respect individuals’ privacy rights and avoid capturing sensitive situations without consent.

3. Technical Quality:

Your images should be high-resolution, well-composed, and free from noise or blurriness. Shutterstock favors images that are sharp, well-lit, and properly exposed. Always review your images for dust spots, scratches, or other distractions before submitting.

4. Content Restrictions:

• Avoid sexually explicit or violent content unless it is newsworthy and presented within a proper context.
• Refrain from submitting images that could be considered offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate.

5. Metadata and Descriptions:

Provide accurate, descriptive titles, tags, and descriptions. Use relevant keywords to help your images get discovered. Accurate metadata also helps reviewers understand the context of your editorial content.

By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, you’ll not only increase your chances of acceptance but also ensure your content is valuable and compliant with Shutterstock’s standards. Remember, editorial content is all about capturing the truth of current events and culture responsibly, so approach your submissions with integrity and attention to detail.

3. Preparing Your Editorial Content for Submission

Before you hit that upload button, it’s essential to get your editorial content ready. Think of it like preparing a gift—you want it to be appealing, relevant, and easy to understand. The goal is to make your content stand out and meet Shutterstock’s guidelines so it has the best shot at acceptance.

First, ensure your content is high quality. This means crisp images or well-edited videos with good lighting, clear focus, and minimal noise. For editorial content, authenticity is key—photos of current events, newsworthy moments, or relevant visuals that tell a story are highly valued.

Next, pay attention to metadata. This includes the title, description, keywords, and categories. Be descriptive but concise. Use relevant keywords that accurately describe your content—think about what someone might search for when looking for an image or video like yours. Avoid keyword stuffing; relevance is more important than quantity.

Legal considerations are also critical. Make sure you have the rights to all the content you’re submitting. If your editorial content features identifiable people, property, or trademarks, ensure you have proper releases or permissions in place. Shutterstock is strict about copyright and model releases, so double-check everything before submission.

Additionally, consider the context of your content. Editorial content should be newsworthy or informative and not promotional. Avoid including branding, logos, or promotional messages unless they are part of the news story and properly contextualized.

Finally, organize your files systematically. Name your files clearly and consistently, perhaps including the date or subject matter. This makes it easier during the upload process and helps reviewers understand what they’re looking at quickly.

4. Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading Editorial Content on Shutterstock

Ready to upload? Don’t worry, it’s straightforward! Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get your editorial content onto Shutterstock successfully:

1. Log in to Your Contributor Account: Head over to Shutterstock.com and sign in with your credentials. If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll need to create one and get approved as a contributor.
2. Select the Upload Button: Once logged in, click on the “Upload” button usually located in your dashboard or menu. Choose the option for “Editorial Content” to ensure your files are categorized correctly.
3. Choose Your Files: Use the file browser to select your prepared images or videos. You can upload multiple files at once if they are related.
4. Enter Metadata: Fill in the required fields:
   • Title: Craft a clear, descriptive title.
   • Description: Provide context or background info that explains the content.
   • Keywords: Add relevant tags to help users find your content.
   • Category: Select the appropriate category that best fits your content.
5. Add Necessary Releases: If your content includes recognizable people, trademarks, or private property, upload the appropriate model or property releases. Without these, your content may be rejected.
6. Review Your Submission: Check all details to ensure accuracy and completeness. Make sure your files are correctly uploaded and metadata is correct.
7. Submit for Review: Hit the “Submit” button. Shutterstock will then review your submission to verify it meets their editorial standards.
8. Track Your Submission: You can monitor the status of your upload in your contributor dashboard. Shutterstock’s review process can take a few days—be patient!

And that’s it! Once approved, your editorial content will be available to buyers searching for newsworthy visuals. Remember, accuracy, quality, and proper licensing are your best tools for success. Happy uploading!

5. Tips for Ensuring Your Editorial Content Gets Approved

Getting your editorial content approved on Shutterstock can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, but don’t worry—there are some tried-and-true tips that can help increase your chances of success. Think of it as preparing your best work to impress a discerning editor. Here are some strategies to make your submissions stand out:

Understand Shutterstock’s Editorial Guidelines

The first step is to thoroughly read and understand Shutterstock’s editorial content policies. They often update these guidelines, so make sure you’re working with the latest version. Pay attention to what they consider acceptable subject matter, composition, and image quality. For example, editorial images should typically depict newsworthy events or candid moments, not staged or commercial setups.

Focus on Quality and Authenticity

Shutterstock values high-quality, authentic images. Use a good camera or smartphone with a decent resolution, and ensure your photos are sharp, well-lit, and well-composed. Avoid overly stylized filters or heavy editing that could make your images look unnatural. Authenticity is key—show real moments, genuine expressions, and candid scenes that tell a story.

Research Popular and Relevant Topics

Stay updated on current events, trending topics, and societal issues. When your images relate to what’s happening now, they’re more likely to resonate with editors and buyers. For example, coverage of environmental issues, health topics, or cultural events often perform well. Use news sources and social media to spot what’s gaining attention.

Include Clear, Descriptive Metadata

Accurate and comprehensive metadata (titles, descriptions, keywords) help your images get discovered. Use specific keywords that accurately describe the scene, mood, and subjects. Think about what someone might search for—be precise but not spammy. Well-tagged images are more likely to get seen and approved.

Be Patient and Persistent

Sometimes, even great content gets rejected initially. Don’t be discouraged. Review the feedback, learn from it, and keep refining your submissions. Building a strong portfolio of approved editorial images takes time, but with consistency and attention to detail, you’ll improve your chances.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting Editorial Content

While submitting editorial content, it’s easy to make mistakes that can lead to rejection or delay the approval process. To help you avoid common pitfalls, here’s a list of what NOT to do:

• Staging or Stiff Poses: Editorial images should look natural. Avoid overly posed or staged shots that feel artificial.
• Ignoring Copyrights: Only upload images you own or have rights to. Using copyrighted content without permission can cause rejection or legal issues.
• Poor Image Quality: Blurry, pixelated, or poorly lit photos are a quick way to get rejected. Always review your images before submitting.
• Irrelevant or Misleading Metadata: Don’t use misleading keywords or descriptions. This can frustrate reviewers and harm your reputation.
• Over-Editing: Heavy filters, excessive retouching, or adding graphics can make your image look less authentic and may lead to rejection.
• Submitting Non-Editorial Content: Make sure your images are appropriate for editorial use. Shutterstock clearly distinguishes between editorial and commercial content.
• Ignoring Current Events: Submitting outdated or unrelated images about news topics can reduce your acceptance rate.
• Neglecting Model or Property Releases: For images featuring recognizable people or private property, ensure you have the proper releases in place.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can streamline your submission process and increase the likelihood of your editorial images being approved. Remember, quality, authenticity, and relevance are your best friends when it comes to contributing successfully to Shutterstock’s editorial collection!

7. Final Checklist Before Submitting Your Editorial Content

Before you hit that submit button, it’s a good idea to run through a quick final checklist. Think of it as your last-minute flight prep — you want everything to be smooth and stress-free! Here are some key things to double-check to make sure your editorial content is ready for prime time:

Quality and Relevance

• Is your image or video sharp, well-lit, and properly composed?
• Does your content clearly tell a story or provide valuable context for editorial use?
• Is the content relevant to current events or trending topics, making it more appealing for editorial use?

Technical Specifications

• Have you checked Shutterstock’s latest submission guidelines? (Resolution, file format, size, etc.)
• Are your files correctly named with descriptive titles and keywords?
• Have you included any necessary metadata — captions, descriptions, and keywords — that accurately describe your content?

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Are there any recognizable people, trademarks, or private property in your content? If yes, do you have model or property releases?
• Is your content free of copyrighted material that you don’t own or have permission to use?
• Have you ensured that your content doesn’t include sensitive or controversial material that could violate Shutterstock’s policies?

Final Review

Take a moment to view your content as a whole. Sometimes, stepping back helps you spot issues you might miss when looking at details. Check for:

• Proper focus and clarity
• Correct color balance and exposure
• No watermarks, logos, or distracting elements

Submission Readiness

• Have you filled out all the necessary forms and provided accurate information?
• Have you reviewed the Shutterstock contributor agreement and terms of use?
• Are your files uploaded successfully and accessible in your account?

By running through this checklist, you’ll boost your chances of acceptance and make the process smoother for everyone involved. Remember, quality and compliance are key to standing out and building a great reputation on Shutterstock!

8. Conclusion and Resources for Successful Submission

Congratulations! You’ve now learned the essentials of preparing and submitting editorial content to Shutterstock. Remember, the key to success is attention to detail, understanding the platform’s guidelines, and continuously improving your skills. The more you practice and refine your submissions, the better your chances of getting accepted and earning revenue.

To help you along the way, here are some valuable resources:

• Shutterstock Contributor Handbook: This is your go-to guide for all submission guidelines, policies, and tips. Available on Shutterstock’s website.
• Community Forums and Tips: Join Shutterstock contributor forums or online groups to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from others.
• Photography and Videography Tutorials: Websites like YouTube or platforms like Skillshare offer tutorials that can help improve your shooting and editing skills.
• Legal Resources: Make sure you understand model and property releases, copyright laws, and ethical considerations. Shutterstock provides detailed info and templates for releases.

Remember, persistence pays off. Keep creating, keep learning, and don’t be discouraged by initial rejections. Every submission is a step toward building a portfolio that can generate income and recognition. Happy contributing, and best of luck with your editorial content journey on Shutterstock!