In this article, we look at all the best ways to share photos with clients. There are many reasons you might need to share images, from attracting new clients to sharing a work-in-progress with a current client. 

We examine everything from the best online portfolios to the best file-sharing services. We look at how each method can help you and provide examples of the best options in each category. 

Best Ways to Share Photos with Clients

If you’re running a photography business, you need to be able to share photos with clients quickly and easily.

Paying clients can be impatient. Make them wait unnecessarily, and you could lose them. The process also needs to be easy for the both of you. You don’t want an overly complicated method that makes both of you frustrated. That’s a sure way to sour client-photographer relations. 

Whatsapp is an excellent communication tool. But it’s not ideal for sharing photos with clients. Firstly. you can only share individual image files. You can’t transfer photos in bulk. It also compresses photo files, so the receiver won’t see the best version of the image. 

Thankfully, there are many other ways you can share photos without much fuss. You can build your own online portfolio or website that showcases all your best work. Cloud storage and file-sharing services are some of the most efficient ways. Social media is also a great tool for sharing photos with clients.

We look at each of these methods in the following section. 

Online Portfolio

Every photographer needs an online portfolio. It’s the best way to display your work in a professional way, allowing everyone from admirers to potential clients to see your work. 

You can start with a general portfolio that displays an overview of your best shots. But it’s a good idea to separate your work into thematic galleries. This helps viewers find the work they want to see. Clients will have a better understanding of whether your photography style is a fit for them. 

There are several excellent online portfolio builders for photographers. These allow you to share photos with clients and help you create galleries, store images, and sell digital images and prints.

Zenfolio

With classy templates and an easy-to-use interface, creating a portfolio with Zenfolio is simple. The results also look great, so your galleries are professional and client-appropriate. 

One of the main reasons we recommend Zenfolio is the client-specific galleries. You can make unique galleries for individual clients. They are password protected, so only those in the know can view them. And the galleries have excellent security levels, so non-clients and clients cannot steal your work. 

You will have to pay to use Zenfolio, but their basic Portfolio plan is affordable. It also gives you 15 GB of digital storage. The higher plans are also reasonably priced considering what they offer. It all depends on your budget. 

ShootProof

More than just a portfolio builder, ShootProof is a host for your online photography business. You’re limited to their portfolio templates, which means your galleries might be fairly standard and impersonal. However, the templates are classy and professional and make your images look good. 

As with Zenfolio, ShootProof lets you create password-protected galleries for clients. In terms of ease and security, it’s one of the best ways to share photos with clients.

ShootProof also adds watermarks to images displayed on their platform, so no one can steal your work. 

Its eCommerce features are another godsend for ShootProof users. They help you create client contracts and invoices and help keep track of financial transactions.  

Adobe Portfolio

Adobe Portfolio is one of the more basic online portfolios, but it’s a handy option if you already have an Adobe Creative Cloud Subscription. If you’re using Lightroom or Photoshop, Portfolio is always available to you. 

It doesn’t have the widest range of templates or customization options. Nevertheless, the galleries are smart and elegant, allowing your work to shine without distractions. 

All the galleries have a responsive web design, meaning they automatically adapt to a computer or smartphone web format. You can send a client a link to your work via Whatsapp, and they’ll be able to see your portfolio in all its glory on their mobile. 

You can sync your Adobe Porfolio with your Behance account if you like using social media. This gives clients more opportunities to see your work, helping you cast a wider net to attract clients. 

Our Top 3 Online Portfolio Builders

Zenfolio

Zenfolio

ShootProof

ShootProof

Adobe Portfolio

Adobe Portfolio

Create a Website

The next step up from an online portfolio is building a full professional website. As opposed to a portfolio, a website gives you a more complete online hub for your photography business. 

A website gives you more options for displaying a wide range of your work, for customization and design, and for eCommerce and other business endeavors. 

With some website builders, they let you create password protected pages. These can be used to share photos with specific clients, which is why having a website is beneficial for sharing your work. 

It’s great to have your own website when sharing work with clients. It looks professional, and they can see all your best work by visiting one site. 

Wix

Wix is a fantastic website builder. It hasn’t been designed specifically for photographers, but any photographer can use Wix to build a brilliant website for their business. 

A wide range of templates and design features allow you to make something truly unique and eye-catching. They even have an Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) feature that does some of the website design for you. 

You can create password protected pages on your Wix website. This means you can create client-specific galleries only they can access, helping you share photos with clients. 

There’s no free plan with Wix, and opting for the pricier plans works out better in the long run. They allow for more multimedia displays and a higher storage volume.  

Squarespace

Squarespace is one of the most popular website builders for creatives, making it a top choice for photographers. 

The templates are excellent and varied, and there are a ton of extra features and integrations to make your website fit your personal style. The drag-and-drop tools make web design super easy, so even tech-shy users can build a beautiful website. 

Just like Wix, Squarespace allows you to set up password-protected pages. All you need to do is provide the link and the password to your client, and they can access the private page of your website. It’s a great way to share photos with clients in a professional way. 

The Squarespace plans might seem a little pricey at first, but they are worth it. There’s a personal plan for individual freelancers, or you can opt for the business package if you need more. They also have two commercial options, but they are only relevant if you want to build a few websites. 

Our Top 2 Online Website Builders

Wix

Wix

Squarespace

Squarespace

Cloud Storage and File Sharing Services

Building your own website does take time, effort, and money. And if you’re looking for a simpler solution, then a loud storage or file sharing service might be a better option.

Cloud storage has become an essential tool for professional photographers. It has transformed how photographers storage, move, and share their images. And thanks to sharing features on cloud services or dedicated data sharing services, sharing photos with clients has never been easier. 

Now we’ll look at the best cloud storage and data sharing services for photographers. 

Dropbox

Dropbox is one of the original cloud storage services, and it remains one of the most popular. The max plan for individuals gives you 3 TB of storage. But there’s a free plan that gives you 2 GB of storage, which is ideal if you’re on a budget. 

It’s safe and secure and allows you to access your files from any devices with an internet connection. It has a high level of encryption, so there’s very little risk of your work being stolen. 

Sharing photos with clients using drop box is an easy process with Dropbox. Simply upload the images or files to Dropbox, then generate a link. You can then send this link to your client, and they will be able to view whatever is in the folder. 

You can also add password to folders, so only specific users can access the contents of the link. 

iDrive

Like Dropbox, iDrive is a cloud storage service with file-sharing options as standard. It offers a generous 10 GB of digital storage to free users, and of course you can upgrade if you need more. 

You can share photos using iDrive via their web interface, the desktop application, or the mobile app. Adding password protection to individual files makes file sharing more secure. And you can set download limits on any shared file. 

Security and encryption are some of the main reasons for iDrive’s growing popularity. You can create your own pass keys for accessing files, and there’s two-factor authentication. 

WeTransfer

WeTransfer is a dedicated file-sharing service. Signing up for a free account allows you to send files as large as 2 GB. 

The free account doesn’t have many other features, and you can’t add passwords to sent files. But it is one of the quickest and easiest ways to share photos with clients. 

You send files through WeTransfer using the client email. They receive an email from WeTransfer, they follow the link, and they can download the files. Your clients don’t need a WeTransfer account to access and view the photos. 

There is a paid “Pro” plan. This allows you to send files as big as 200 GB, which is handy for larger paid gigs. It also gives you 1 TB of digital storage. You can also set time limits on the download links you send.

Our Top 3 Cloud Storage and Data Transfer Services

Dropbox

Dropbox

iDrive – Online Storage and Backup

iDrive – Online Storage and Backup

WeTransfer

WeTransfer

Social Media

For the modern photographer, social media has to be park of your online business strategy. It’s one of the simplest and easiest ways to display your best work. And you can use social media platforms to share photos with clients. 

You can start with the obvious platforms like Instagram and Facebook. But branching out to new social media platforms can broaden your reach and streamline photographer-client communications. 

Instagram

If you don’t have an Instagram account already, you’re probably aware of the app at least.

With 2.4 billion users, it’s one of the most popular social media platforms of all time. That means there are 2.4 billion potential followers on the app. Of course, it isn’t that simple. Many of them are not there for photography, and attracting followers takes work. 

However, it does allow you to display you best work. The square image visualizers are a bit of a pain for photographers, but we have become accustomed to this format. It’s also a clean, intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate. 

In-app direct messaging is the best way to share photos with clients directly using the app. It’s quick and simple, but you are limited to sending individual files. The app also compresses the files, so the receiver won’t see them in all their glory. 

Behance

Behance is a cross between a social media platform and a digital portfolio. It’s more artist-orientated than Instagram, which is now dominated by bots and spam content. You have more control over how your photographs are displayed on the app. 

As it’s an Adobe app, you can integrate your Behance account with your Adobe Portfolio. This allows you to use your social media account as a funnel to your full gallery of work. Simply sharing your Behance profile leads clients or potential clients to a more carefully curated collection. 

Creating a Behance account is an easy way to share your work with clients. They can see your greatest hits on the app, then follow the trail to your Adobe Portfolio for a deeper dive. 

Facebook

Facebook isn’t the trendiest social media platform anymore, but photographers can still use it to share photos with clients. 

You can post your best work or extracts from your latest projects on your business page. Creating private groups with clients is another way to share photos with clients in a more discreet way. You can control who can join the groups, and you control what they see. 

Facebook’s direct messaging service, Messenger, can also be used to share photos with specific individuals or company accounts. You can only send individual images or small selections, but it’s still a handy feature. 

Our Top 3 Social Media Platforms

Instagram

Instagram

Behance

Behance

Facebook

Facebook

Physical Portfolio and Prints

You might think the days of needing a physical portfolio are over. And for many photographer, they are over. But there is still a case to be mode for having a printed collection of your finest work. 

We live in an age of digital communication, but many clients still want to meet business partners face to face. In these situations, taking a classy portfolio of your finest work will make you look prepared and professional. 

Sending photo prints is also far less common these days. And it’s very rare that you’ll have to send prints to a client unless they specifically ask for that service. 

However, sharing photos the old fashioned way can add a personal touch that some clients will really appreciate. Of course, with business client, they might have moved onto something new by the time the prints arrive. But if your shooting a wedding or another family occasion, the clients would be more than happy to receive printed photos. 

You can see all our top recommendations of the best Photo Printing Services in this article. 

Conclusion

The best way to share photos with clients has to be simple, quick, and efficient. Building an online portfolio or website is the best way to display your work for all to see. And the services we’ve mentioned all allow you to create bespoke galleries for specific clients. 

You can also use cloud storage services that have file-sharing tools. You can also use dedicated file sharing services like WeTransfer. These are all quick and easy ways to share photos with clients. 

You can still use social media for photo sharing, although these platforms are limited in this regard. And you can try the more traditional options of having a physical portfolio and sending printed photos to clients. 

These are the top solutions for sharing photos with clients. We’ve seen digital and analog solutions, and there are high and low-budget photo-sharing solutions. 

This article looks at the best stock photo sites from the point of view of contributors and buyers. With a contributor’s eye, we examine how beneficial the sites are for photographers looking to make money.

And with a buyer’s eye, we show you which sites are best for those wanting to purchase stock images. 

Shutterstock tops our list of the best stock photo websites. Fair commission rates make it a good option for photographers. And a massive media library and reasonable prices make it a good choice for buyers. 

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Stock Photo Sites

Shutterstock Stock Photos

Shutterstock Stock Photos

Adobe Stock

Adobe Stock

iStock Stock Photos

iStock Stock Photos

What is the Best Stock Photo Sites?

If you’re a contributing photographer, the best stock photo sites gives you a real opportunity to make money. They should be easy to sign up too, offer decent commissions, and provide extra information to help you compete on busy platforms. 

Buyers need a stock site with a big, varied media library and fair subscription fees. They also need to find a site that offer the style of photography they need for their content. Sites that offer other stock media, such as video and audio, might also be a priority. 

Before we look at all the best stock photo websites in detail, here’s a quick rundown of our selection. You can also see the best free stock sites towards the end of the article. 

Our Top Choice

Shutterstock Stock Photos

Shutterstock Stock Photos

• +406 million images in library
• Handy contributor smartphone app
• Highly active subscribers
• AI Generator for buyers

Adobe Users

Adobe Stock

Adobe Stock

• Free with Creative Cloud subscription
• Multimedia library
• Contributors have access to Adobe Portfolio
• 26 million subscribers

Best Image Licensing

iStock Stock Photos

iStock Stock Photos

• Linked to Getty Image's massive image collection
• Contributor resource library
• Adobe Plug-ins
• AI generator for buyers

Best Commission Structure

Depositphotos Stock Photos

Depositphotos Stock Photos

• 30 millions users worldwide
• High minimum commission rate
• Sells illustrations, videos, and sound effects
• Clear tiered contributor categorization

Best for First-Time Contributors

Dreamstime Stock Photos

Dreamstime Stock Photos

• Easy registration for contributors
• 53 million users
• Up to 50% commission
• Generous subscription plans for buyers

Best Paid Stock Photo Sites

Now we look at all the best paid stock photo websites in more detail. We look at each from both a contributor’s and buyer’s perspective, so you can find out which is the best site to suit your needs. 

1. Shutterstock

Number of Users	Number of Users 343,000
Image Library	Image Library 406 million
Commission Rate for Sellers	Commission Rate for Sellers Approx. $0.50 per image
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Video library, AI generator, contributor app
Best For	Best For Photographers looking for the most active paid stock site

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Shutterstock Stock Photos

Shutterstock

$1.00

Buy Now!

Shutterstock is a mammoth stock image site. It’s the most extensive stock photo site, with over one billion images to search through. This is because they were one of the first stock photo sites around.

Their catalog relies on contributions from over one million different stock photographers. With this in mind, you can find an image to suit your needs. But because there is so much content, you may spend a while looking for your perfect picture.

For Contributors

Becoming a Shutterstock contributor is a good way to supplement your income as a photographer. 

Shutterstock claims to have paid out over $1 billion to its contributors over the last 15 years. That’s a lot of money. However, Shutterstock has one of the largest contributor lists of any stock site. And over a 15-year time frame, that $1 billion is spread pretty thin. 

The payment plans for users are quite generous to buyers, which is great if you’re looking for images. But it means a seller’s commission on a single photo can be as low as $0.50. You have to sell a lot of images at that rate to make a living. 

However, Shutterstock has far more buyers than contributers. And because they’re paying for a subscription, all the users are actively buying images, which means there are millions of potential buyers.

343K subscribers might not sound like much, but user activity equals incredible amounts of daily traffic on the sight. 

Contributors also have access to helpful material, like intel on trending topics, video workshops, and blogs by successful contributors.

The Shutterstock contributor app is a great tool for sellers. It allows you to upload images from your smartphone while monitoring activity and earnings on the go. 

For Buyers

You’ll have no shortage of image options if you’re a Shutterstock subscriber. And it’s not just images. You also have access to a whole library of videos, music, templates, and 3D models.

Shuttershtock even has an AI image generator. Users input word prompts and the robot gives them an original image. It’s pretty impressive and helps buyers find exactly what they want. 

The contributors are not happy, however. With buyers generating their own AI images, there’s less demand for real photographs. We’re not happy about it, but unfortunately, this is the way the industry is going.

You can get access to their site through a subscription or on-demand package. Monthly subscriptions start at $29 for three images and go up to $499 for 750, depending on how many you want.

Their yearly subscriptions offer better deals, starting at $29 per month (10 images) and up to $199 per month (750 images). There are also savings available if you pay upfront for the whole year.

Their on-demand packages begin at $29 for two images and go up to $575 for 250 images. Take advantage of Shutterstock’s free trial and enjoy 10 free image downloads. You can check Shutterstock’s pricing and save 15% with our code EXPERTPHOTO.

2. Adobe Stock

Brand	Brand Adobe
Number of Users	Number of Users 26 million (Creative Cloud)
Image Library	Image Library 263 million
Commission Rate for Sellers	Commission Rate for Sellers 33% for images / 35% for videos
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Multimedia library, access to Adobe Portfolio for contributors
Best For	Best For Adobe users

×

Adobe Stock

Adobe

$1.00

Buy Now!

Of course, it makes sense for this imaging software giant to create its own database. And who wouldn’t want stock photo integration with every Adobe product? This is particularly useful for designing brochures or websites with Adobe software.

For Contributors

In theory, Adobe Stock gives you the best opportunity to get your work viewed and purchased. The site has 26 million users, which should mean there are 26 million potential buyers. 

This number is a bit misleading, however. The 26 million includes everyone with an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, and many of them won’t use the stock library. But even a small percentage of 26 million is a lot, so it does offer an opportunity to make money.

Adobe Stock isn’t limited to still photos. It has the most eclectic media library, with videos, illustrations, graphic art, and 3D models. That means anyone in the creative industry can generate an include selling on Adobe Stock. 

The commission rate is decent but not overly generous to contributors. You get 33% commission on image sales and 35% on video sales. 

All contributors get access to Adobe Portfolio, which allows you to build a professional-looking website to display your work. You can use your presence on Adobe Stock as a funnel to your personal portfolio website. This could lead to direct sales or commissioned work. 

For Buyers

For buyers, the site offers images, vectors, videos, audio, set templates, and 3D options. Searching is easy thanks to its refined advanced search feature. It even has the option to search images by their depth of field!

I’m a bit fan of the user interface. It’s easy to navigate and displays the stock photos with no distractions. Adobe offers 10 free stock images and a 30-day trial. But beyond that, you need to pay for their services.

Their monthly subscriptions include “standard assets.” This includes standard images, templates, 3D, and music tracks. Subscriptions start at $29.99 (annual, monthly paid) for 10 standard monthly assets and 500 generative AI credits.

There are other plans for 25, 40, or 750 assets (or 3, 6, or 25 HD videos) a month. For 750 standard assets, shell out $199.99 monthly on a yearly commitment (otherwise, $249.99 monthly). Beyond the first tier, you get savings if you opt for yearly rather than monthly payments.

If you want premium content or video, Adobe Stock offers “credit packs” that start at $49.95 for 5 images. Other tiers go up to 150 standard images for $299. These prices are about average when looking at the top end of the best stock photo sites.

3. iStock

Number of Users	Number of Users 825K
Image Library	Image Library +300 million
Commission Rate for Sellers	Commission Rate for Sellers 15 to 45 %
Other Key Features	Other Key Features AI generator, Adobe plugin, resource library for sellers
Best For	Best For Selling images with different license agreements

×

iStock Stock Photos

iStock

$1.00

Buy Now!

iStock is the sister brand of the giant Getty Images database. This database was created in 1999, making it the first stock photo website! With stock image databases, the longer they exist, the more content they offer. This means they have a wide range of images to fit the bill.

For Contributors

With such a large user-base, and many corporate clients among them, iStock offers a good opportunity to have your work seen.

The image library isn’t quite as big as Shutterstock’s, but it’s still massive. There is a chance your images could get lost in the crowd. But if you follow the trends using the insider information they provide, you can make sales and generate income. 

Most image licenses are “royalty free.” This means if a user buys your image, they can use it as many times as they like after a one-time purchase.

However, top-performing contributors can negotiate licenses with royalties, allowing them to sell images on a per-use basis. 

The commission rate for royalty-free content is between 15% and 45%. It varies depending on the type of content and the type of subscription plan help by the buyer. 

iStock isn’t just a photo library. Contributors can sell illustration and video as well as still photos. It’s a host for thousands of creatives of all types. 

For Buyers

They offer royalty-free photos, vectors, illustrations, and videos. They even have a video editor you can use. This is helpful for someone who wants to make simple video edits but doesn’t have the software or time to do so.

iStock offers three types of subscriptions—basic, premium, and premium + video. The monthly rate starts at $29 and goes up to $333, depending on what and how much content you want to download.

They also offer pay-as-you-go credit packs. You can buy three credits for $12 and up to 300 for $2400. And there are other offers in between, with bigger savings if you buy more.

One credit goes toward one high-quality, budget image. Three credits buy you unique, signature iStock images. Videos need more—6 and 18 credits, respectively.

Check out their pricing page to see which package is best for you. Their prices can be hefty, but you’re guaranteed high-quality content because they are partners with Getty.

4. Depositphotos

Number of Users	Number of Users 30 million
Image Library	Image Library 234 million
Commission Rate for Sellers	Commission Rate for Sellers 34 to 42%
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Sells illustrations, videos, and sound effects
Best For	Best For Commission structure for contributors

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Depositphotos Stock Photos

Depositphotos

$1.00

Buy Now!

Depositphotos is one of the best stock photo sites I have come across. The breadth of the database offers you a range of stock photo options. There’s everything from stylized shots to more playful and simple images. They also provide royalty-free videos, music, templates, and special effects.

For Contributors

Joining Depositphotos as a contributor is very easy, but there is a vetting examination. This involved uploading your best images so their team can review them. They’re basically checking the quality is good enough and that it doesn’t breach any of their guidelines. 

Depositphotos has a unique level system for their contributors. You start at Level 1, which allows you 499 file uploads. You can climb to Level 5 with 150,000 uploads. The more images you sell, the higher you climb. 

You also get bigger commissions at higher levels. It’s a 30% commission when you’re on Level 1, which increases to a max of 38% when you’ve reached Level 5. 

The commission rates for videos are the same as for images. But audio files earn 34% on Level 1 and 42% on Level 5, so it pays to have a bit of musical ability. 

For Buyers

I enjoy the way it lets you refine your search. So will people who know what kind of images they want. Depositphotos also has a refined search bar that lets you browse by camera angle!

After you choose your image, you select the size and quality you want. Under your photo, they give you similar photo options that may better suit your needs.

Depositphotos also has a bunch of tools you can take advantage of. They offer features that can remove a background or upscale your image. This is useful for people who aren’t highly skilled at editing.

Depositphotos offers both monthly and pay-on-demand options. The cost is about average among stock photo sites.

They have multiple monthly payment rates. Ten images per month will cost you $9.99, while 750 images will cost you $299. You get extra savings if you go with the yearly plans and even more if you pay upfront!

Each photo above your allotted amount costs $1 each on all plans. And their on-demand options start at $29 for five images and go up to $219 for 125.

5. Dreamstime

Number of Users	Number of Users 53 million
Image Library	Image Library 247 million
Commission Rate for Sellers	Commission Rate for Sellers 25 to 50 %
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Easy registration
Best For	Best For First time contributors

×

Dreamstime Stock Photos

Dreamstime

$1.00

Buy Now!

Founded in the year 2000, Dreamstime is one of the oldest stock sties out there. It isn’t the first name that springs to mind when your think of stock sites, but it has one of the biggest media libraries and millions of active users. 

For Contributors

The sheer number of users makes Dreamstime one of the best places for photographers to sell their stock photos. As a contributor, you will have a lot of company. But the number of buyers vastly outnumbers the contributors. 

Registering as a contributor is also an easy process. It’s free to register, and all you need to enter is your email address and your full name.

Then upload your images using their guidelines. You can add descriptions and tags to help users find your work. And you can attach contracts and release forms using the integrated software. 

The contributor commissions are some of the best of any stock photo website. The lowest is 25%, and this can go as high as 50%. Commission percentages and prices depend on the file type, file size, and the licensing agreement the files are under. 

Commercial and editorial are the two main types of images licenses available to Dreamstime contributors. Dreamstime has model release form templates and info on how to fill them out.

For Buyers

Dreamstime has an incredibly large media library, with images covering practically every subject you can think of. Whether you want wildlife, architecture, or season-specific images, this site has you covered. 

As well as your standard stock images, Dreamstime has one of the best libraries of editorial images. It’s constantly updated, so you can find images of the latest news events or the hottest celebs. 

Buyers need to sign up to a subscription plan. They have monthly options offering anything between 5 and 750 downloads a month. They also offer a yearly subscription that gives you 750 monthly downloads. 

They have separate subscription plans for video and audio downloads. And there’s an all-in-one plan that gives you access to every type of media, though this is the most expensive.

Best Free Stock Sites

Free stock websites are a godsend if you need images but have a tight budget. They offer thousands of images that are completely free to use, allowing you to illustrate your content without heavy outgoings. 

But there are problems with free sites, which is why we promote paid stock websites. Firstly, the media libraries are much smaller than on paid sites. Even popular sites like Unsplash have just a fraction of what Shutterstock offers. 

This also means many people are likely to use the same images. There’s a high chance you might use the same images as some of your competitors, making your content look unoriginal. 

Free sites are also less beneficial to photographers looking to generate an income. Because they give their images away for free, contributors don’t get paid. The only thing you get back in return is exposure. That’s OK for amateurs, but professionals need that cold, hard cash. 

Here are a few of our free stock photo website recommendations. 

Unsplash

Unsplash is a free stock photo site you can’t avoid. It’s quick and easy to select and download the images you want. This is ideal for people who work with images where sourcing them is not a worry.

For a free stock photo site, the quality of the images is excellent. This is why they earn their spot as one of the best free stock photo sites. Of course, they don’t have the range that the paid services do. But over five million high-resolution images for free isn’t bad at all.

From its humble beginnings as a Tumblr blog, Unsplash has grown tremendously. The UN and other global organizations now use them. The only thing I have trouble with is their search engine. It is not as refined as others. You have to adjust your search occasionally.

You also get premium options on each search. This is done with independent photographers and Getty Images (iStock).

Pexels

Pexels is another one of the best free stock photo sites. Their search engine makes finding the perfect image a breeze. The search bar auto-fills suggestions as you type the same way Google does. In this same section, you can access your recent searches. They also suggest collections of images related to the search terms you use.

Pexels is one of the databases with an excellent curation of free stock photos. You won’t have to scroll through junk to find classy images. Also, Pexels is one of the only free services that give you access to free videos!

A nice feature is that they display the licensing terms. This clarity can be helpful for people who don’t know the details about copyright. You can see what you can use the images for and in what ways.

Pixabay

Pixabay offers the broadest range of materials for free. This includes free stock photos, illustrations, vectors, video, music, and sound effects.

I hadn’t heard of them before researching for this article. But after seeing their stock, I will use them in the future. Their database is vast, with over 4.2 million assets to choose from.

A nice feature that makes them unique is that some images display their metadata. If you’re using stock image websites, you probably don’t care too much about the photo’s information. But it adds a nice touch to some of the images, almost giving you the feel of more authority over them.

Like Unsplash, Pixabay links to premium site photos from iStock. But after browsing their catalog, I doubt you will even need to pay for this service.

Burst

Shopify powers burst. Shopify is an online platform that lets people set up stores and sell their products. Unsurprisingly, they have dipped their toes into the world of royalty-free stock photos.

I am a fan of their straightforward design. It takes nothing away from the images they present. The only downside is they do not have a dedicated advanced search feature.

I also think that their free stock photos aren’t as refined as others. But, it is different. The free stock photos here are not on any other stock image sites.

Another great feature is their “search by business ideas.” This is great for people starting a new business or Shopify account. Type in your business idea, and this feature suggests collections of related images. This can be helpful if you aren’t great at using the search bar to find specific photos.

Conclusion: The Best Stock Photo Sites

If you’re a buyer, the best stock sites offer a wide range of high-quality images at a reasonable price. For contributors, stock photo sites should provide high commissions and other services to help your business grow. 

That’s why Shutterstock tops our list. It’s one of the original stock photo websites, which is why it has one of the most extensive media catalogs. Buyers can find anything they need. They are also fair with their contributing photographers, as they can make good money with the right stock photography strategy.

Free sites are also great for improving content, but they are far more limited than paid sites. They can’t offer the same number of images, and contributors get little more than a bit of publicity. That’s why we recommend going to a paid site if you want top-quality stock photographs. 

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Stock Photo Sites

Shutterstock Stock Photos

Shutterstock Stock Photos

Adobe Stock

Adobe Stock

iStock Stock Photos

iStock Stock Photos

Finding reliable income streams is an essential part of becoming a professional photographer. And while you won’t become a millionaire overnight, you will start to see that money rolling in. 

This article looks at the details of making money from photography. Before looking at pricing details, we explore some of the best revenue streams to get started with. Each section has a link in the text that takes you to a full article on that topic, so click to learn more. 

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• Learn to price your services for maximum profitability
• Discover free methods to attract and keep long-term clients

How to Make Money with Photography

There are two main avenues open to professional photographers. They can either provide products such as prints or specific images. Or they can provide a service, like being a wedding photographer.

Thankfully, photographers can take both paths to maximize their income. 

You can sell your services as a photographer and you can sell the fruits of your photography. The trouble is finding areas where you can actually make money from photography.

There are plenty of folks out there with a camera, so you need to target clients who are willing to pay you for your work. 

This section covers the best niche markets for making money with photography. We have advice on selling landscape photos, selling prints on Etsy, and selling Lightroom presets. Remember to click the links to find out more. 

Headshot Photography

Headshot photography is one of the best ways to make money as a photographer. Many people are looking for professional headshots.

Actors need a range of headshot portraits to pass to casting agents. And young professionals often need pro-level headshots for applications, resumés, and marketing material. 

You will have some initial out-goings. You’ll need to invest in a good portrait lens, if you don’t have one already. You will also need a lighting setup and a photography backdrop. 

You’ll also need a studio space to work in. You can rent a studio, but this will cost you and increase your outgoings. Another option is to turn an already available space into a photography studio.

It doesn’t even have to be an entire room. You can turn one corner into a photography zone. You don’t need much space for headshot photography. 

Read more about taking professional headshot portraits by clicking this link.

Selling Landscape Photos

Selling landscape photos can be a great way to make money from your photography.

The key is to have a long-term plan and focus your efforts. Research the various ways to sell your photos, such as through stock websites, prints, or commissioned assignments.

Having the right gear is important, but you don’t need to overspend when starting out. A camera with a high-quality lens, sturdy tripod, and filters should be enough.

To get the best landscape images, shoot during early morning or late afternoon light and use a small aperture for greater depth of field.

Keep up with landscape photography trends by exploring the work of photographers you admire.

Spend time promoting yourself and your work through social media, email newsletters, or even local trade shows.

If you’d like to learn more about selling landscape photos, check out the full article. 

Stock Photography

Selling stock photos can be a reliable and steady income source for photographers.

To get started, research what subjects are in demand and plan your shoots around popular concepts like business, technology, and lifestyle. Photograph subjects in new and unique ways to stand out from the competition.

After capturing the images, ruthlessly edit them down to only the best shots. Use programs like Lightroom or Capture One to organize and process your files for optimal quality.

You can even create impossible scenes by combining elements in Photoshop.

To sell your stock photos, you can join a stock agency or market them yourself. Stock agencies handle everything from hosting to sales, but take a percentage of each sale.

Marketing your own photos gives you more control, but requires more work like building a website, finding buyers, and handling transactions.

See our in-depth article to learn more about selling stock photos.

Real Estate Photography

Getting paid to take pictures of houses is a great way to turn your love of photography into a career.

To get started, research your local market to find out what real estate photography jobs cost in your area. You’ll also need to decide if you want to work with interior designers or real estate agents.

Next, create a basic website with sample images and your contact information. Plan out your real estate photography process, including a rate sheet, contract, delivery method, and how to wrap up a project.

Connecting with potential clients is key, so attend in-person social events, spread the word about your services, and use social media to showcase your work.

As you get paid to take pictures of houses, focus on improving your skills and building a steady flow of photo shoots.

With solid research, a professional client process, and visibility online and in person, you’ll be well on your way to a successful real estate photography career.

Travel Photography

Becoming a travel photographer takes hard work and dedication. You need to learn a wide range of photography skills, from landscapes to portraits. Building a strong portfolio of your best travel images is key to attracting clients.

To get started, create a website or blog to showcase your work. You can also sell your images on stock photography sites or as physical prints.

As you travel, look for opportunities to provide photography services to local businesses.

Most importantly, focus on capturing great travel content. The more compelling your photos, the more people will seek out your work.

If you’re passionate about travel photography and willing to put in the effort, you can turn it into a successful career.

To learn more about how to become a travel photographer, check out this in-depth guide.

Selling Prints

Selling photography prints online is a great way to make extra money from your photos. There are many websites that allow you to sell prints, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Squarespace is a popular website platform that is easy to use and works on all devices. Fine Art America is one of the biggest marketplaces for selling prints, but has a lot of competition.

Etsy is well-known for selling art and handmade items, and has over 30 million buyers.

You can also sell prints through your own website using plugins like Envira or platforms like Photoshelter, Format, Zenfolio, and SmugMug. These give you more control over your sales and let you keep more of the profits.

We have more information of how to sell photography prints in this article, so click the link for more.

Selling on Etsy

Selling photos on Etsy is a great way to promote your work and earn money. You can sell physical prints, digital downloads, photography resources, or even photo books.

Before setting up your shop, come up with a plan and choose a creative name that represents your business.

When creating listings, upload high-quality photos that stand out. Write informative descriptions and use relevant keywords to help potential customers find your products. Set fair prices that cover your costs while remaining competitive.

Promote your Etsy shop on social media and your website to attract clients. Encourage friends and family to leave reviews to build trust with potential buyers.

With dedication and time, selling photos on Etsy can become a successful venture.

Selling photos on Etsy is a great way to make money from photography.

Selling Lightroom Presets

Selling Adobe Lightroom presets is a great way for photographers to make money. To get started, create presets that give photos a unique look. Emphasize how easy they are to use by showing before and after photos.

Pricing presets can be tricky since they sell for a wide range of prices. Look at other presets to find a general price range, then price your product competitively but on the high side. You can always add a discount or have a sale later.

Market your presets on social media platforms like Instagram. Post photos edited with your presets and include before and after examples.

Busy professional photographers who have many photos to edit will pay for presets that save them time. Amateur photographers may also buy presets to achieve looks they can’t create on their own.

Selling Lightroom presets can be a profitable way to use your photo editing skills.

NFTs

NFT images are digital tokens that represent unique artwork, photographs, or animations. They’re bought and sold online using cryptocurrency, usually on the Ethereum blockchain.

Photographers can turn their photos into NFTs and sell them to supplement their income. The creator keeps the copyright, but the buyer owns the original NFT. Some NFTs have sold for thousands of dollars.

Listing an NFT isn’t free, so photographers need to be confident their work will sell.

Read our full article to learn more about NFT images.

Price Guide

Photography pricing varies depending on the type of photography, the photographer’s experience, and the client’s needs. Professional photographers typically charge $100 to $300 per hour or $75 to $350 per image in the United States.

Rates can be higher for more experienced photographers and lower for beginners. It’s important to consider your operating costs, including equipment, studio rent, software subscriptions, and travel expenses when setting your prices.

Pricing structures also differ based on the photography genre. Event photographers often charge hourly rates, while commercial photographers may have day rates and licensing fees.

Portrait and wedding photographers frequently offer packages with a set number of hours and photos. Real estate photography is usually priced per listing, and product photography is priced per image.

Read our full tutorial on photography pricing to make sure you’re not over-charging or losing out on earnings. We also have articles on other specific aspects of photography pricing, so keep reading to learn more.

Mini Sessions

Mini sessions are short, preset photo shoots that cost less than a full session. They’re a great way for clients to try out a photographer or get quick seasonal photos. The most common mini sessions are based on seasons, holidays, or events.

To plan a mini session, pick a theme, location, and date. Decide how long each session will be and how many clients you’ll book. Set a price that covers your costs and leaves a profit. Require payment up-front to avoid no-shows.

Your workflow is key to a successful mini session. Use a calendar app to avoid double-booking. Have your lighting and location ready in advance.

Decide how you’ll process the photos and follow up with clients. Market your event through local businesses, newsletters, and social media.

Click here if you’d like to learn more about photography mini sessions.

Portrait Pricing

Figuring out your portrait photography pricing is an important step when starting your business. You need to factor in all your costs, including studio space, equipment, travel fees, and taxes. This will help you determine how much to charge per photoshoot to stay profitable.

There are two main paths in portrait photography: shoot and burn, and boutique/fine art. Shoot and burn photographers provide digital images only, often at a lower price point.

Boutique/fine art photographers sell prints, albums, and other high-quality products, resulting in higher profits per session.

Consider how much you want to work and what makes your business unique. Offering special products or services can set you apart from competitors and keep clients coming back.

Learning the business side of photography is also crucial for success. With proper planning and pricing, portrait studios can be very profitable in the long run.

Portrait photography pricing is a key factor in building a thriving photography business.

Print Pricing

Selling photography prints can be a great way to make money from your images. To get started, research what types of photos sell well as prints, such as beautiful landscapes, iconic cityscapes, or wildlife photography.

Choose only your best images to sell as prints. Make sure they are technically perfect and free of any flaws. Consider offering limited edition prints to add extra value to your photos.

Factor in all your costs when pricing your prints, including printing, shipping, and credit card fees. Add a reasonable profit margin to determine your final print prices.

If you’d like to learn more about how to price photography prints, this article provides helpful tips and strategies to maximize your earnings.

Real Estate Pricing

Setting your real estate photography pricing can be challenging. To ensure you’re charging what your work is worth, research your local market and competition. Find out the starting rates and price range in your area.

Consider the quality of work you deliver compared to your competitors. You can charge more in expensive cities versus rural areas.

Talk to clients to find out what they need most, such as fast turnaround times or extras like video tours.

Decide if you want to focus on quality or quantity. You can do fewer high-end shoots that require more time and editing. Or you can streamline your process to do a large number of standard listings.

Be sure to factor in all your time and costs, including client communication, travel, gear, and post-processing.

Our full guide on real estate photography pricing is the best place to start if you’re looking to turn pro.

You might not win any money. But posting your images on the competition’s website has a lot of benefits. We’ve updated our page for the best daily, monthly, and yearly photo contests. Check back often for updates!

Try our Effortless Editing With Lightroom course to ensure your photos look their best. We provide step-by-step edits for magazine-quality images. Or try one of our many creative photography eBooks or courses to help you submit your best shots!

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What Are the Best Photography Contests to Enter in 2024?

These 23 best photography contests feature impartial judging, clear criteria, and diverse categories. These best photo contests for 2024 all encourage creativity, originality, and technical skill. For your convenience, we have split this list into multiple categories: 

• Beginners
• Black and White 
• Portrait
• Wildlife and Landscape
• Professional

Read the fine print for photo submission guidelines. You want to be sure you’re sending photos in the proper size and format. Most contests don’t accept purely AI-generated images but may allow AI edits.

You can enter Guru’s daily and Life Framer’s monthly contests as much as you like. And we’ll update the 2024 photo contest deadlines as they come up. Don’t miss out on competing for prestigious awards and prizes! We hope you are inspired and have fun with them.

Contests for Beginners 

1. GuruShots Photography Contests

• Deadline: New challenge every day
• Fee: Less than $10
• Prizes: $2 – $2000

GuruShots takes a unique approach to photography contests. A new photo challenge is posted daily, and it’s up to each individual to decide how many challenges to enter.

Some of the winning artworks are exhibited in galleries worldwide. For a fee (less than $10), you can enter the exhibition challenge and submit four images.

The GuruShots website and application also lets you connect with photographers worldwide. Besides winning prizes, you can gain exposure and feedback from other artists, which can help you improve as a photographer.

2. Life Framer Competitions

• Deadline: End of each month
• Fees: $20 to $100
• Prizes: A $24,000 prize fund is shared between the monthly winners. Each month, the 1st and 2nd prize winners have their images exhibited and published.

Life Framer competitions are suitable for photographers from all photo niches.

Every month, a new photo category is introduced. These include black-and-white, street photography, nightlife, world travelers, and animal kingdom. Industry-leading photographers judge each category individually.

Entering one image costs $20, three costs $30, and four costs $40. But you can enter up to 10 images when you upgrade to a premium membership ($100).

The membership also allows you to receive detailed feedback on your photos. This can significantly help to improve your photography.

The Amateur Photographer of the Year Competition provides a great platform for beginners and amateur photography enthusiasts. Its unique format encourages experimentation in different genres of photography. 

You will have ten subjects over ten months to submit work for. There will be winners for each subject and overall winners who have scored high points consecutively across each competition. These categories include black and white, travel, macro, landscape, and more. 

This format is ideal if you need an extra boost to try new genres of photography. It is also perfect for photographers who have a lot of creativity but find it hard to direct. 

5. Anthology Creative Awards

• Early Deadline: July 2024
• Final Deadline: 30th November 2024
• Fees:  €12 (earlybird), €18 (standard) 
• Grand Prize: €500 and publication opportunity 

Anthology Creative Awards is open to photographers working at any level. Therefore, it is a great platform for beginners to test their favorite photos. Themes are kept open and broad, so your strongest images will likely be eligible. 

There are also no restrictions on eligibility for photographers. You can enter if you work from anywhere in the world, and there is no limit to how many photos you can enter. 

Anthology suggests looking at previous winners and their magazine, Anthology, before entering. This will give you a good idea of the kind of work they like and the type of photography that is likely to win in the future. 

Contests for Black and White Photographers

6. MonoVisions Black & White Photography Awards

• Early Deadline: January 21, 2024
• Final Deadline: May 19, 2024
• Fees: $20 or $25 (single), $25 or $30 (series)
• Black-and-White Series of the Year: $3,000 award
• Black-and-White Photo of the Year: $2,000 award

This photo contest is meant to discover the best black-and-white photographers. (Only monochromatic submissions are allowed.) You can enter photos taken with both digital and analog cameras.

Apart from the two main categories (single and series), there are 12 subcategories. These include abstract, conceptual, and nude photography and other standard subcategories.

The entry fee for a series is $30, and for a single image, it is $25. There is an early-bird discount for entries submitted before January 21.

7. Monochrome Photography Award

• Early bird Deadline: July 7, 2024 (cheaper fee)
• Deadline: TBD (November 2024)
• Fees: $17 to $27
• Professional Section Prize: $2,000, certificate, and exhibition
• Non-Professional Grand Prize: $1,000, certificate, and exhibition
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Category Winners: Certificate and exhibition

Are black-and-white photos your thing? Then this is the photo competition for you. There are 13 categories to enter, including landscape, fashion, and abstract photos.

If you are in the top three of any of them, you will receive a certificate and an exhibition of your work. All winners and honorable mentions will also be included in the Monochrome Photography Awards Annual Book.

Before the early bird deadline, each image costs $22 for professionals and $17 for amateurs; after that, the submission price jumps by $5.

The only rule is that the image must be black-and-white in film or digital. Toned images like selenium or sepia are also accepted. So start getting creative. This is your time to shine.

Contest for Portrait Photographers

8. LensCulture Portrait Awards

• Deadline: February 14, 2024
• Series Award Winners 1st Place Prize: $3,500
• Series Award Winners 2nd Place Prize: $2,000
• Series Award Winners 3rd Place Prize: $1,000
• Single Image Award Winners 1st Place Prize: $2,000
• Single Image Award Winners 2nd Place Prize: $1,000
• Single Image Award Winners 3rd Place Prize: $500

LensCulture’s mission is to discover talented photographers. They look for creative photographs from worldwide. You can submit one entry for free and more with various fees. Plus, enrolled students receive a 30% discount.

This photo contest is open to every type of portrait photography. That includes studio, candid, conceptual, or self-portraits. They appreciate every approach to portraiture. But it has to be executed in an imaginative and refined way.

The winners are offered professional visibility. Their photos are featured at international photo festivals like Photo London 2025.

They also receive press coverage from magazines worldwide. This includes The Telegraph, The Guardian, Washington Post, and The British Journal of Photography.

Read our Creative Portrait Concepts eBook to see how to take your portraits to another level.

9. Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2024

• Deadline: 7th May 2024
• Fee: TBA
• Professional Grand Prize: TBA and exhibition
• Non-Professional Grand Prize: TBA and exhibition
• 6 Professional Category Winners: TBA and exhibition
• 6 Non-Professional Category Winners: TBA and exhibition

The Taylor Wessing Photography Portrait Prize is the leading international photo contest. As the name suggests, it focuses on portraiture.

This Prize promotes and celebrates the very best in contemporary portrait photography. It does so through its established reputation.

Talented professionals, amateurs, and emerging artists can submit their work. The jury selects the best images—many of which are being shown for the first time.

They touch on ideas and concepts surrounding portraits. But they also explore other themes. A range of moods, settings, characters, and expressions are present.

All submissions become an exhibition. This year’s exhibition features 59 images from the winners. Besides first, second, and third place winners, they have introduced an £8,000 commission.

You can view the 2023 portrait winners’ photos and buy the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize book.

Contests for Wildlife and Landscape Photographers

10. BigPicture Natural World Photography Awards 2024

• Deadline: March 1, 2024
• Fee: $25 (up to 10 images), $15 (story submissions)
• Winner: $5,000 and is featured in the California Academy of Sciences annual exhibit
• Category Winners: $1,000

This natural photo award focuses on the world’s natural diversity. And it aims to inspire action to conserve it. The contest accepts nature, wildlife, and conservation images from all around the world. They’re organized into seven categories.

This includes abstract expressions of nature, such as photos from under a microscope. Aquatic life, landscapes, wild animals, and human interactions with nature are also welcome.

You can enter up to 10 single images or six to eight images in the Photo Story category. Entrants are limited to up to 10 photo submissions per email address.

Check out our Wonderful Wildlife eBook to capture those decisive moments in nature.

11. International Landscape Photographer of the Year

• Deadline: TBA (November 2024)
• Fee: $25 per image (every 5th one free)
• Photographer 1st Prize: $5,000, trophy, NiSi 100mm V7 Professional Filter Kit and Explorer EX-ACPROKIT Ascent tripod
• Photographer 2nd Prize: $1,000, trophy, NiSi 100mm V7 Advance Filter Kit, and Explorer EX-EXPPRO Expedition Pro tripod
• Photographer 3rd Prize: $500, trophy, NiSi 100mm V7 Starter Filter Kit, and Explorer EX-EXP Expedition tripod
• Photography 1st Prize: $2,000 and a trophy
• Photography 2nd Prize: $1,000 and a trophy
• Photography 3rd Prize: $500 and a trophy
• 5 Category Special Awards: Special photo print
• Top 101: Certificate and PDF of awards book

If you shoot landscapes, enter the International Landscape Photographer of the Year award. This will be their eleventh year, and it’s still going strong.

The limitations are set to four images per applicant. This is so the experience gained from the competition is easily accessible.

The jury rates the images between 1 and 100 from all these submissions. They choose the top 101 images and move to the second round of judging. First, they find the best images and search for the best landscape photographers.

There is a Photographer of the Year, a Photo of the Year, and five special subject awards. The special categories are black and white, aerial, snow and ice, desert, and seascape.

Each section undergoes a rigorous selection process. The top winners are published and receive a copy of the Landscape Photographer of the Year publication.

The cost is $25 per image, so the maximum you can spend is $125. The images also have to be captured within a year of submission.

The best thing about this photo contest is that you are not restricted in photo manipulation. Just make sure you do it yourself. No AI-generated images are allowed.

Take our Epic Landscape Editing course to ensure your photo entries look stunning.

12. World Nature Photography Awards

• Deadline: March 30th, 2024
• Fee: £30 (6 images)
• Grand Prize: $1,000

In its fifth year, the World Nature Photography Awards continues to provide a great platform for wildlife photographers of every skill level. They provide a wide range of categories, so whatever your niche is in nature photography, you will find a space here. 

This competition also has an ecological approach. They ask that none of the images feature captive or restrained animals. They also plant one tree for every entry, a great way to aid the planet using their platform. 

There are also professional and amateur categories. This means anyone of any difficulty can enter, even photographers who may have gone on their first safari trip. 

13. The Nature Photography Contest

• Deadline: November 15th, 2024
• Fee: €10 each photo
• Grand Prize: €1,000
• Category Winners: €100

The Nature Photography Contest aims to ‘raise awareness of how crucial it is to protect our planet.’ It does this by selecting and displaying beautiful images from around the world. The top images are selected by working photographers at the top of their field. 

Like the previous competition, this contest plants a tree for every submission. The difference here is that the winner gets to pick the location where all the trees get planted. This is a great way to promote a sustainable future. 

There is a Funny Nature category for wildlife’s comical moments. You can submit your images in as many categories as you want. This competition is also open to landscapes and macro, encompassing all facets of nature. 

Contests for Professionals

14. International Photography Awards (IPA 2024)

• Deadline: TBD, open for 2024 submissions
• Fee: $20 to $65
• International Photographer of the Year Prize: $10,000, trophy, exhibition, and publication
• Discovery of the Year Prize: $5,000, trophy, exhibition, and publication
• 11 Professional Category Winners: $1,200, exhibition, and publication
• 11 Non-Professional Category Winners: $600, exhibition, and publication
• Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize Winners in Subcategories: Certificate, exhibition, publication, and ticket to the gala

The International Photography Awards is one of the highest-paying photo contests around. It is also the only place you can land a Lucie Statue. This year will see the 21st annual photo contest.

There are 11 categories to choose from for professional and non-professional photographers alike. They cover everything, including advertising, editorial, and sports. A “special” category also covers niche photography like AI.

The top winners receive a travel allowance and accommodation to collect their awards in New York.

This photo contest is the primary funding mechanism for the Lucie Foundation. It is a non-profit, charitable foundation to honor the masters of photography.

ND Entry fees range from $20 to $65 for single or multiple images. All winning images are published in a high-quality International Photography Awards book.

15. 2024 Aperture Portfolio Prize

• Deadline: January 5, 2024
• Fee: An Aperture Magazine subscription (starts at $9.99/month)
• 1st Prize: $3,000 cash prize, $1,000 gift card for camera gear, an exhibition in New York, feature, and publication
• 4 Shortlisted Artists: Feature and online publication
• All 25 Finalists: Virtual portfolio review

This contest is looking for new photography talents. It finds those who deserve recognition in contemporary photography.

After getting a magazine subscription, you must upload 10 to 15 photos you want to enter. This contest is unique because you must also submit a resume, a photographer’s bio, and a statement about your photo work.

The jury looks at consistency, fresh ideas, and technical aspects. They want a unique approach to the subject. The theme is not further specified. It is up to each person to be as innovative as possible with their photos.

17. Sony World Photography Award 2024

• Deadline: January 12, 2024 (professional and open) and January 5, 2024 (youth), January 5, 2024 (student)
• Fee: Free, $14.95 to $44.95 (optional multiple youth entries)
• Professional Photographer of the Year: $25,000, Sony digital imaging equipment, exhibition, and more
• Open Photographer of the Year Prize: $5,000, Sony digital imaging equipment, exhibition, and more
• Category Winners: Sony digital imaging equipment, exhibition, and more
• Professional 2nd and 3rd Place: Exhibition, publication, and more
• Student Photographer of the Year Prize: Sony digital imaging equipment, exhibition, and more
• Overall Winning University: Sony digital imaging equipment worth $30,000
• Youth Photographer of the Year: Sony digital imaging equipment, exhibition, publication, and more
• Shortlist: Exhibition, publication (student), and more

The Sony World Photography Award has four simultaneous photo contests. They are Professional, Open, Student, and Youth. Each one has a different prize combination of cash and Sony imaging equipment.

Who wouldn’t enjoy $25,000 or $5,000 and camera gear? That’s a lot to help you continue to take stunning shots.

One of the other great things about this competition is the traveling exhibition. No matter which country I find myself in, I always notice the Sony World Photography Award image.

The submitted images must have been taken within a year of submission. You can send at least five and up to 10 images, so don’t be shy.

We love this competition because it is free to enter. That’s right, free. You can also choose from 20 different categories. Youth entrants can buy image bundles to submit as many as they want.

18. Istanbul Photo Awards

• Deadline: January 17, 2024
• Fee: Free (professionals only)
• Prizes: $1,000, $1,500, and 3,000, $6,000 and Sony A7III body, depending on the category, two $1,000 awards for the contest’s 10th anniversary, exhibition, and publication

Anadolu Agency organizes this international news photo contest. The idea first came from capturing Istanbul’s diverse culture from different perspectives. Over time, the Istanbul Photo Awards has become a widely known news photo contest.

One of the biggest perks of this photo competition is that it’s free. You can take part in 10 categories with single photos or a photo series (consisting of 10 images). The jury comprises nine photographers involved in either photojournalism or news editing.

The winners’ works are published in a photobook and exhibited in several cities worldwide. This includes Istanbul, New York, and Tokyo. If you are a photojournalist, this contest is worth a try!

19. PhMuseum Photography Grant

• Deadline: February 15, 2024
• Fee: $25
• 1st Prize: $4,000, exhibition, and more
• 2nd Prize: $2,000 and exhibition, and more
• New Generation Prize: $2,000, exhibition, and more
• Other: Various exhibitions, residencies, portfolio reviews, and more

This competition focuses on the importance of visual storytelling. Photographers with both a classic approach and innovative projects are welcome to enter.

You can enter one or more photo projects centered around a specific theme. The entry fee is $39, but you get an early bird discount ($30) if you apply before the early bird deadline.

An independent jury with various photo backgrounds reviews the submissions. This contest is a great opportunity if you are outstanding in narrative photography. And who wouldn’t be happy about extra cash you can invest in your artwork?

20. Communication Arts Photography Competition 2024

• Deadline: March 1, 2024
• Fee: $20 to $80
• Category Winners: Personalized award of excellence and award certificate

Most photography contests come with cash prizes. The communication arts photo competition stands out as being one that doesn’t. But don’t let that put you off. It is still a revered photo contest.

Your images must have been captured or published between March 2023 and March 2024 to be eligible. Contest fees range from $20 to $80 for photos, depending on the category (nine total).

Besides winning a personalized excellence award, your image is distributed worldwide in digital and print formats. This is in the Communication Arts Photography Annual.

A distinguished jury of designers, art directors, and photographers choose the winning images. If you’re looking for one of the most coveted awards in the photo industry, you have found it. Submit today!

21. Nikon Small World 2025

• Deadline: April 30, 2025
• Fee: Free
• 1st Prize: $5,000
• 2nd Prize: $3,000
• 3rd Prize: $1,500
• 4th Prize: $800
• 5th Prize: $600
• 6th Prize: $400
• 7th to 10th Prizes: $300
• 11th to 20th Prizes: $200
• Honorable Mentions: $100

The Nikon Small World photo contest offers the greatest chance of winning a cash prize. Whether you place first or 20th, you’ll still win money. A video contest (Small World In Motion Video Competition) also exists.

This photo competition is about photomicrography (which differs from macro photography). This is the discipline of photographing through a light microscope.

As a long-standing camera manufacturer, Nikon has run this competition since 1975. That’s longer than I’ve been taking photos, let alone being alive.

Anyone can enter, and they do in droves. They receive submissions from almost every continent on the planet. There are no restrictions. And you don’t have to use Nikon cameras or microscopes.

Each participant can upload three images for free. Even if you don’t want to enter, check out the previous winners. The images are stunning, and they might motivate you to apply.

Maybe you’re not ready to invest in photomicrography. Our Macro Magic course can help you take the first few steps toward discovering the hidden beauty around you.

22. IPA One Shot Photo Contest: Searching for Peace

• Deadline: May 1, 2024
• Fee: $20 (20% discount for each extra category submission)
• Grand Winner: $2,500
• Category Winner: $500
• Total Cash Prizes: $4,500
• A curated collection of the submitted images will be showcased in an online exclusive e-book.

The IPA’s One Shot photo contest is an annual competition. It invites photographers worldwide to submit their best single image capturing a compelling moment or story.

The contest celebrates the power of a single image to convey emotion, provoke thought, or inspire action. This year’s photographers are invited to capture the essence of peace in various aspects of life. There are four categories:

1. Capturing peaceful moments in daily life
2. Showcasing the serene beauty of nature
3. Finding moments of peace amidst conflict and hardship
4. Expressing your vision of peace

Participants can showcase their creativity and skill across various genres. This includes landscape, portrait, documentary, and conceptual photography. The focus is on excellence and originality.

An esteemed IPA Jury Panel selects winners. The panel comprises over 80 recognized gallerists, photo editors, directors, and collectors. It also features photographers and other prominent photographers.

The One Shot contest serves as a platform for photographers to gain exposure and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Photographers can elevate their craft through the pursuit of visual storytelling excellence.

23. LensCulture Art Photography Awards 2025

• Deadline: TBA (December 2024)
• Fees: Free to $45 (30% discount for students), optional $25 for written review
• Series Award Winners 1st Place Prize: $3,500, exhibition, and more
• Series Award Winners 2nd Place Prize: $2,000, exhibition, and more
• Series Award Winners 3rd Place Prize: $1,000, exhibition, and more
• Single Image Award Winners 1st Place Prize: $2,000, exhibition, and more
• Single Image Award Winners 2nd Place Prize: $1,000, exhibition, and more
• Single Image Award Winners 3rd Place Prize: $500, exhibition, and more

The LensCulture Art Photography Awards recognize creativity. And it pushes the boundaries of traditional photography. It brings attention to diverse and thought-provoking art captured through the camera lens.

Both new and experienced artists can show off their work. You can enter one free image, up to 10 ($45).

They accept all sorts of photography styles. You can submit anything from portraits to experimental photos. This gives artists a chance to share their unique perspectives.

Experts in photography and art judge the awards. It highlights photographers who tell compelling stories through their images. Prizes include exhibitions, projections, and features to help kickstart or boost photography careers.

All entrants will receive benefits, including a LensCulture portfolio account and the opportunity to have their work shown to a wider audience through their website and the press.

Conclusion: Best Photography Contests

We hope you enjoyed our collection of the best photo competitions for 2024. Entering photography contests is not only fun. It’s a way to test your photos in a competitive environment.

It is also an excellent way to gain recognition and win cash prizes for your art. So enter one yourself! Or, if you don’t want to enter one, check out the winners for inspiration to propel your work!

If you want to improve your chances of winning, try our Wow Factor video course or master composition with our Intuitive Composition eBook! Or check out our Effortless Editing With Lightroom course to fine-tune your work.

Our Best eBooks and Courses for Photography Contests

Wow Factor Photography

Wow Factor Photography

Intuitive Composition

Intuitive Composition

Effortless Editing with Lightroom

Effortless Editing with Lightroom

The legalities of starting a photography business might seem daunting, but we’re here to help you get started. This article covers all the legal basics, from the must-know photography laws to the essential documentation. 

It isn’t the most glamorous aspect of being a photographer, but you have to run your photography business legally. Read reading to learn more, and remember to click on the links to see full, in-depth articles on each topic. 

How to Start a Photography Business Legally

When you imagine being a professional photographer, you’re probably thinking about high-spec gear and glamorous photoshoots. You’re probably not thinking about legal documentation. Unfortunately, legal forms play a vital role in any photography business. You’ll get to do the fun stuff too, but you can’t ignore the legal side.

Before you start any business, you need to have a good understanding of the legal framework relating to that industry. That means learning the laws of the country your based in. And if you’re a traveling photographer, you’ll need at least an introductory knowledge of the laws in each country you work in. 

This might sound complicated, but you don’t need a degree from Harvard Law School to start a photography business. You just need to know the industry dos and don’ts, and you need to know all the documents you’ll need and why. 

On the financial side, we recommend speaking to a bank or an accountant before you start your business. This professional advice is essential when starting any kind of business legally. They will help you setup business accounts and register as a business or as a self-employed worker.

Reaching out to other professional photographers is another great way to get started. The only thing better from your own mistakes is to learn from other people’s, so probe the pros for info on getting started. 

The majority of legal information you need to know relates to documents like model and property release forms. You also need photography licenses and insurance. This might seem dry and corporate, but we explain everything in this article. We break everything down so you can easily start a photography business legally. 

Legal Basics

The first step is to learn the legal basics. That means learning the photography laws of the country you’re working in. These tell you who and what you can and cannot take pictures of. And they also tell you what you can and cannot use those photographers for.

It’s important to remember photography laws are not the same in every country. Laws differ from country to country, so you need to know what’s possible legally when you take a job any country. This isn’t such a problem if you’re based in one country, like the UK for example. But you need to bear it in find if your photography involves travel. 

Copyright laws are another important aspect of running a photography business. Much like other laws, they vary from country to country, so you need to do your research. 

Let’s get stuck into the specifics of photography law. Remember, this is just an introduction, so please search for official legal information from the correct authorities in your country. 

Must-Know Photography Laws

Photographers must understand copyright law to protect their work. Copyright is automatically applied to photographs at the moment of creation, giving the photographer ownership and control over the image. This means clients can only use the photos with the photographer’s permission, even if they paid for the shoot.

However, photographers also have restrictions on how they can use their own images. If the photo contains recognizable people or private property, the photographer needs a release form to use the image commercially. Commercial use includes anything created for profit, such as selling prints or using the photo in advertising.

Photographers should also be aware of the legalities surrounding watermarks and sharing photos on social media. Watermarks can help identify the creator and deter theft, while understanding social media terms of service is important to protect your copyright.

If you’d like to learn more about photography laws, our full article is the best place to start.

UK Photography Laws

In the UK, photographers have the right to take photos in public spaces without needing permission. This includes taking photos of people, property, and government buildings. However, it’s important to respect people’s privacy and avoid being intrusive if they’re in a private place like their home.

If you’re on private property that’s open to the public, such as shopping centers or restaurants, you can take photos until the owner or management asks you to stop. Even if you’re asked to stop taking photos on private property, no one can force you to delete the photos you’ve already taken without a court order.

When it comes to dealing with confrontations, it’s best to ask questions and clarify your rights. Ask why you’re being stopped, who the person stopping you is, and what legal basis they have for their actions. Most threats related to public order, privacy rights, or terrorism are unfounded.

To learn more about UK photography laws, check out this in-depth article.

Copyrighting Photos

Copyright is a law that protects your ownership of the photos you create. This means you have the right to reproduce, sell, and do whatever you wish with your images. Copyright automatically applies to your work the moment you create it and lasts your entire life plus some time after your death.

While not required, registering your photos with the US Copyright Office provides extra protection. If someone uses your images without permission, having them registered makes it easier to take legal action. You can apply for copyright online or by mail for a fee.

If you find someone using your copyrighted images without permission, you have options. You can politely ask them to remove the image, give you credit, send a take-down notice, or even sue if they are profiting from your work.

To learn more about how to copyright photos, start with our full article before consulting with an attorney who specializes in intellectual property law.

Photography Insurance

Camera insurance is a must for any serious photographer, whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned pro. At the very least, it will help you replace a cracked lens, but it can also protect you from potential lawsuits.

When buying camera insurance, use a company that specializes in photography. General insurance brokers may be unable to tailor the policy to your needs. Make sure to discuss the fields you photograph in, as it may influence the final price of your policy.

Liability insurance is also important if you work with clients. It covers your business, property, employees, and anyone you come into contact with. Errors and omissions insurance protects your reputation and covers costs associated with lawsuits.

If you’d like to learn more about photography insurance, we have a detailed guide that covers everything you need to know.

Essential Legal Paperwork

Legal paperwork isn’t fun, but it’s something you’ll have to get used to as a professional photographer. You can’t operate without the correct legal documentation, so completing the forms is an important part of running your photography business legally.

You’ll need a contract for most photography jobs, so you need to know what to include when writing one. Model and property releases are also essential if you want to make money from your images. It’s best to take the time to get know know the documents and when you’ll need them so they become part of your professional workflow. 

Photography Contracts

A photography contract protects both you and your client. It sets clear expectations and consequences, making the transaction more professional. The contract also builds trust by ensuring there are no surprises.

At the very least, your photography contract should include your business name, the client’s full name, and contact information. Specify the photoshoot date, start time, location, and what each side will deliver. Outline your cancellation policy and any fees that may apply.

Detail the payment schedule and copyright ownership. You’ll typically want to keep the copyright while granting the client use rights. Get model releases to use the photos publicly, especially online. Finally, explain your editing process and any extra fees for travel or major changes.

A photography contract is a must to protect your business, and our in-depth guide has everything you need to know about them.

Photography License

A photography license is a legal requirement for professional photographers in some areas. The specific licenses and permits needed vary by country, state, and city. It’s important to check with local officials to determine what’s necessary for your photography business.

In the United States, most places don’t require a professional photography license. However, a few select cities may have this requirement at the city or state level. Contact your local city hall or state licensing board for more information.

Even if a photography license isn’t required, consider getting a certification from an organization like the Professional Photographers of America. This adds a layer of professionalism to your business and can help you stand out in today’s market.

Check out our full-length article on getting a photography license for everything you need to know.

Photo Licensing Agreement

A photo licensing agreement is a contract that outlines how a client can use your images. It grants specific usage rights to the client, and the images may only be used within the bounds of this agreement. The licensing agreement is a separate document from your main contract.

The agreement should specify if the license is exclusive or non-exclusive and describe the intended use of the images. Be very specific about how the client can use your photos. More clients are asking for “universal and unlimited rights,” but they should pay extra for this.

The agreement must also specify the time frame the client can use the image. You can allow longer use, but it should cost extra.

To learn more about the details to include in your photo licensing agreement, our in-depth post has everything you need to get started.

Photo Release Form

A photo release form is a contract between the photographer and the subject that grants permission to use the image. In the U.S., using someone’s likeness commercially without their consent is prohibited. The form can include usage limits and an expiration date.

There are different types of photo release forms. Model release forms are for photographing people, while property release forms cover buildings and objects. Print release forms allow clients to make copies of photos. Minor release forms require a parent or guardian’s signature for subjects under 18.

You don’t need a release form to take photos in public places, but you can’t use those images commercially without permission. Selling a photo is considered commercial use, as is using it to promote your photography services on social media.

See our full article on photo release forms to give yourself everything you need to know about this topic.

Model Release Form

A model release form is a legal contract between a photographer and the subject they photograph. It gives the photographer permission to use the photos in specific ways, such as for commercial purposes or in a portfolio. The form protects both parties by outlining the rights and responsibilities of each.

The details in a model release form can vary depending on local laws and the intended use of the photos. It’s important to research the requirements for your location and situation. In general, the form should include the subject’s name and contact information, a description of the photos, and the specific usage rights being granted.

Using a template can make creating a model release form easier. Customize it to fit your needs, and have it reviewed by a legal professional to ensure its validity.

A model release form is an essential tool for any photographer working with models or subjects, so it’s worth creating a thorough and legally sound document.

Model Release Form Apps

A model release app makes it easy to get permission from models to use their photos commercially. You can use your smartphone to have models sign the release digitally. This protects you from legal issues if you want to sell the photos later.

Popular model release apps include Model Releaser, Easy Release, and Releases by 500px. They offer customizable forms and useful features like attaching model photos to the releases. You can also back up your files to the cloud to always have a copy.

Some apps have free versions, while others require a purchase to unlock all the features. Try out a few to find the best model release app for your needs. Using one is an important step if you want to do professional photography.

Our guide on model release apps will give you all of your top options for ensuring you have valid model release forms.

Real Estate Photo Contracts

A real estate photography contract is an important document that outlines the terms and expectations between the photographer and the client. It should include information about both parties, the scope of the agreement, payment terms, property requirements, extra fees, image delivery, usage rights, and a property release.

The scope of the agreement is the most important part, describing your services in detail to avoid misunderstandings. Payment terms are also crucial, specifying the final price, deposit, and when payment is due. It’s best to ask for a deposit to secure the shoot date and receive the final payment before delivering the full-resolution images.

The contract should also outline the client’s responsibilities in preparing the property for the shoot. If you want to use the images for your real estate photography, include a property contract.

Property Release Form

A property release form is a written contract between a photographer and the owner of a property. It grants the photographer permission to use images of the property for commercial or artistic purposes. This form protects the rights of both parties and outlines the terms of the agreement, such as the time period, licensing regulations, and financial details.

To be legally binding, a property release form must include the names, addresses, dates, and signatures of both parties, in addition to the agreed-upon terms. Landscape, street, and architectural photographers often require these forms to use their images in magazines, advertisements, or other commercial contexts.

Even seemingly public spaces like shopping centers, city squares, and streets may be privately owned, necessitating a property release form for professional photography. While capturing images in these areas is generally allowed, using them for commercial purposes without permission can lead to legal issues.

Obtaining a signed property release form is essential if you plan to sell your images through a stock photography website or use them for a professional photo shoot.

A property release form can help you avoid potential problems and ensure that you have the necessary permissions to use your images as intended.

Making money from stock photos can be a bit of a nightmare. There are so many options out there for picture editors. And it might seem that no-one wants to pay for images any more. But the good news is, that there is always a market for top-quality, topically-relevant images. And we’re here to help you to navigate your way to taking (and selling!) your photos.

Taking the Right Pictures

Stock photography is a great way to make money from your images. To maximize your income, it’s important to take photos that sell. Research current trends and what clients are looking for by searching online, checking magazines, trade newspapers, and attending trade shows.

Planning your shoot with a shot list will help you capture all the angles and scenarios you need. Dedicate time specifically for stock photography to ensure you get the best possible shots. Shoot with the end product in mind, considering how clients might use the image.

Only show your best work and cover a range of topics within your chosen field. Follow current trends to increase your chances of making sales. Adding keywords and descriptions to your images is vital so potential buyers can find them. Photos that sell well can provide a steady income stream for photographers who put in the time and effort.

Selling

Selling stock photos can be a great way to make extra money from your photography. To get started, research what types of images are in demand and plan your shoots around popular concepts like business, lifestyle, and outdoor activities. Capture high-quality photos with perfect exposure, pleasing compositions, and natural-looking subjects.

After the shoot, edit your files and choose only the best images to market. Keep your photo library organized with programs like Lightroom or Capture One. You can also use Photoshop to create unique images that would be impossible to photograph in real life.

To sell your stock photos, you can join a stock photo agency or market them yourself. Agencies handle hosting, marketing, and sales, but take a percentage of each sale. If you sell on your own, create a website or use a platform like Photoshelter to showcase your work. Set your pricing based on licensing models like Rights Managed or Royalty Free. With focus and planning, you can turn your stock photography into a profitable business. If you’d like to learn more about selling stock photos, there are many helpful resources available.

Business Tips

To improve your stock photography business, consider licensing your images through premium stock agencies like Shutterstock and Adobe. While you may sell fewer photos, you’ll earn more per sale compared to microstock agencies. Premium agencies have higher standards, but your images don’t have to be exclusive.

Diversifying your stock offerings is key to making money. Work with multiple agencies to increase exposure and cross-submit to non-exclusive ones. Study the stock photography market to understand what types of images are in demand, and submit every viable photo from your shoots.

Use relevant keywords to help buyers find your images in large databases. Consistency is crucial, so make time to regularly shoot and submit new photos. Let your unique photography style shine to stand out from the crowd. You can also sell through your own website to keep all the profits, but remember to get model releases and treat your stock photography as a serious business.

Best Stock Photo Sites

To help you get an idea of the types of images that sell, check out the most popular stock photo sites. They are a great resource for finding high-quality images quickly. They have a range of photos for website, document, or creative project needs.

Shutterstock is one of the largest stock photo sites with over a billion images. iStock by Getty Images also offers a wide selection of professional photos, illustrations, and videos. For those on a budget, free stock photo sites like Unsplash and Pexels provide beautiful images at no cost.

We’ve reviewed the most popular stock photo sites to help you check them out.

Becoming Profitable

Selling stock photos can be a profitable way to make money as a photographer. To get started, create a portfolio of your best images that are likely to sell well. Focus on capturing photos that are in demand, such as popular travel destinations, rather than just what you enjoy shooting.

Choose the right stock agency to represent your work. Research their commission rates, submission process, and the types of photos they sell. Make sure your images are a good fit for their collection.

When submitting your photos, include only your best work. Check every image at 100% for technical issues like dust, chromatic aberration, and sharpness. Add relevant keywords and metadata to help potential buyers find your images.

Building a successful stock photography business takes time. Continuously work on selling stock photos and stay up to date with trends in your genre to maximize your sales.

Shutterstock

Shutterstock is a popular stock photography website where photographers can sell their photos. To become a Shutterstock contributor, you need to create a free account and upload your photos. The photos must be JPEGs that are at least 4 megapixels in size.

Once uploaded, add details to your photos like the image type, description, and keywords. This helps customers find your photos more easily. Shutterstock pays contributors a percentage of each photo’s sale price, ranging from 15-40% depending on how many photos you sell per year.

You can track your earnings and see which photos are selling well. To become a shutterstock contributor, focus on creating a large, diverse portfolio of high-quality, well-edited photos. Use Shutterstock’s contributor resources to stay on top of trends and give your photos the best chance of selling.

Travel Photos

Selling your travel photos can be a great way to make money with your photography. To get started, make sure your photos are high-quality and error-free. They should be well-lit, beautifully composed, and better than what already exists.

There are many ways to sell your travel photos, such as through stock photography agencies, directly to clients, or as prints. Choose the method that aligns with your goals and the types of photos you capture.

Actively promoting your work is key to maximizing sales. Use social media, email lists, and collaborations with stock agencies to market your photos. Keep in mind that the destinations you want to visit may not always be the ones that sell well. To learn more about how to sell travel photos, check out this in-depth guide.

What Equipment Do You Need?

Different stock picture agencies will have different requirements. But in general you will need a good quality camera to meet their specifications. The key is to buy wisely, and expand your gear as you are able. Then you can increase the range of niches you can shoot.

Camera, Lenses, and Accessories

To take great stock photos, you need the right equipment. A high-quality camera is essential. Look for a DSLR or mirrorless camera that meets the requirements of stock agencies.

The lens you choose is just as important as the camera. Wide-angle lenses are great for landscapes and interiors. Telephoto lenses work well for wildlife and sports. And macro lenses are perfect for food photography.

Lighting equipment is a must for indoor studio shoots. Options include studio strobes, continuous lights, and flashes. Accessories like tripods, filters, and reflectors are also useful. Build up your collection over time as you need them. And don’t forget about props to add interest to your shots. If you want to learn more about stock photography equipment, there are many great resources available.

Best Sellers, What to Avoid, and FAQs

If you want to dip your toe in the water, then what are the best places to start? We’ve looked at some best-selling stock photo ideas, and some you really should avoid. We have also chosen some FAQs to answer your queries too.

Top Sellers

We’ve gathered together 20 of the best-selling stock photo themes to inspire your next photography project:

They range from modern aging, which shows older people staying active and adapting to new trends, to DIY projects like baking bread or growing herbs. Mental health awareness and time spent in nature are also in demand.

Wanderlust is back as people travel more. Environmental consciousness and sustainability are important trends. Buyers want real-looking models, not photoshopped perfection. Social responsibility and mindfulness are respected behaviors.

Healthy food alternatives are here to stay. Home office setups with houseplants are a hit. Moving images like cinemagraphs and stop-motion are trending. These are just some of the trends that can point you in the right direction.

Quality photos that tell stories and connect to what’s important never go out of style. Adding your own personality can make your stock photos stand out. If you’re interested in selling stock photos, these themes are a great place to start.

Ones to Avoid

There are many types of stock photos to avoid using. Over-exaggerated emotions and unnatural activities in strange settings look funny and make it hard for people to connect with the subjects. Low-quality or poorly edited images will make your business look bad.

Instead, use high-quality images that are timeless and can’t be outdated by the changing world. Avoid cliches, stereotypes, and outdated references that might even offend your customers. Focus on organic and natural-looking photos that tell your story.

If you want to learn more about the bad stock photos to avoid using, there is a lot of helpful information available.

FAQs

What are stock photos? You’ll find answers to this and other questions in our article. You can find stock photos of nearly any subject to illustrate websites and publications.

Stock photography agencies have vast catalogs of images online. Photographers contribute their work to the catalog voluntarily. The agencies then make the photos available for people to use on their websites, blogs, and publications.

Using stock photos is much easier and cheaper than hiring a photographer. Stock photo companies have already handled the legal aspects, so you can use the images without worrying about copyright issues. If you want to learn more about what stock photos are, there are great resources available with further information.

In this article, we look at 20 of the best places to sell photos online. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each platform. And we’ll provide tips on making the most of each one. Finding ways to sell your photos is essential for building a successful photography business.

Our Top 3 Choices for Selling Photos Online

Picfair

Picfair

SmugMug

SmugMug

Alamy

Alamy

What Are the Best Places to Sell Photos Online?

Starting a business taking portraits or covering weddings can be fun. But but clients and paid gigs can be inconsistent and fleeting. But if you set up a platform for selling photos online, you can create an evergreen source of income. 

There are plenty of options out there. The most popular ones are stock photo agencies. There are also a few websites where you can sell your pictures directly to clients or even as artwork.

Stock photography sites are significant in two ways. First, stock websites sell your work for you. After you upload the photos, all you have to do is sit back and watch your profits grow.

But apart from helping you sell photos online, stock photo agencies also provide information on current stock photo trends. In other words, they give you ideas and hints on what images will likely make you money.

The problem with these sites is they provide a lot of content, which grows every minute. That means your photos compete with millions of other options on the internet.

Another downside is that it can take a long time to edit and work on images to upload. Stock photo websites have strict guidelines when selling photos online. You must follow plenty of rules around the quality and information needed for every image.

We’ve also included other types of photo selling websites, like those dedicated to selling art by independent artists. The downside is that these sites cover all types of art, not just photography. But it means you can sell the work you love to make, not only photos that relate to popular stock niches. 

Before we look at our recommendations in more detail, here’s a summary of our top picks.

Our Top Pick

Picfair

Picfair

• Set your own prices
• Payments are handled by Picfair
• Use your own custom domain name

Best Portfolio Platform

SmugMug

SmugMug

• Works well as a photographer's portfolio website
• Set your own prices for your work
• You get to keep 85% of the sale price

Best for Non-Exclusive Commissions

Alamy

Alamy

• 50% royalty payments
• More than 60 million photos
• Non-exclusive contracts

Best Standard Stock Site

iStock Stock Photos

iStock Stock Photos

• Part of Getty Images
• Up to 45% royalties
• High recognition for increased traffic

Best Integrated eCommerse

ShootProof

ShootProof

• Wide range of portfolio templates with customizable options
• Excellent eCommerce tools with automated invoicing
• Integrated print selling options

Best for Videos

Shutterstock Stock Photos

Shutterstock Stock Photos

• More than 91 million videos
• In excess of 184 million pictures
• Up to 30% royalties

Best Shopfront

Etsy

Etsy

• World's largest online marketplace for creatives
• More than 30 million users
• You keep 96.5% of the sale price

Best Creative Space

Canva

Canva

• Very popular design platform
• Allows users to upload and sell their images
• Always evolving with new features

Multimedia Creators

Zenfolio

Zenfolio

• Excellent security with watermarks and password-protected galleries
• Displays images, videos, and other media
• Integrated eCommerce and print selling programs

Best for Integration

Adobe Stock

Adobe Stock

• Works seamlessly with the Adobe Creative Cloud
• Immediate royalty payments
• Used by more than four million buyers

Best for Artistic Photography Work

Artfinder

Artfinder

• Sells art of all kinds from independent artists
• Full control over your online store
• Seller forum for sharing information and strategies

Best for Self-Curating

Dreamstime Stock Photos

Dreamstime Stock Photos

• Royalties up to 49.5%
• Self-curated content
• Excellent starting package

Best for Selling to Multiple Sites

Wirestock

Wirestock

• Sell to multiple stock sites quickly and easily
• Automatically handles keywords and captioning
• Simple to use

Best Instagram Integration

Instaproofs

Instaproofs

• Easily upload your images from your Instagram account
• $10 a month lets you keep 100% of the sale price
• Free plan takes 12% commission

Best Print-on-Demand Option

Fine Art America

Fine Art America

• Printing and shipping handled by the site
• You set your prices
• You keep 35% of the sale price

The Best Places to Sell Photos Online

Let’s look in more detail at the best places to sell your photos online.

1. Picfair

Service Offered	Service Offered Stock photo site
Key Features	Key Features Direct selling to clients
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for a quick and easy way of selling their photos

×

Picfair

Picfair

$1.00

Buy Now!

Picfair is our top recommendation to photographers looking to sell photographs online. It’s one of the most popular platforms for photographers, and with good reason. The account is easy to set up and use, the portfolios look professional, and Picfair helps you out with invoicing and accounting.

Picfair allows you to upload as many as 10,000 images and sell them through their systems. The platform gives you your own site where you can create different portfolios and galleries, allowing you to display your work in a professional way. 

You set your own prices on your work, and Picfair doesn’t add any extra or hidden prices. They also don’t take a commission from your sales, so all the money goes straight in your pocket.

Handling money and organizing earnings is one of the most stressful parts of being a professional photographer. But Picfair makes that part of the business super easy.

Picfair handles all payment processing, streamlining the transfer so it goes directly into one of your financial accounts. UK users can have the money sent directly to their bank account, while international users can use apps PayPal and Wise.

If you’re worried about theft, Picfair take security very seriously. Their platform is completely secure, and they add watermarks automatically so viewers can steal you images. And don’t fear, the watermarks only appear on the images when being viewed by website visitors. They don’t touch the original image and buyers get a clean version. 

Their photo licensing rules favor photographers, so you know they have your interests at heart. They provide you with all the licensing information you need, so it’s totally transparent. There’s also no exclusivity agreement with Picfair, so you can publish, promote, and sell your images on other sites too. 

We mentioned that Picfair doesn’t take a cut of your sales revenue, which is true, but users do have to pay a subscription fee. All the plans are reasonably priced, but it does mean you can make a loss if you don’t sell any pictures. Thankfully, they have plenty of advisory material to help you sell more photos.

2. Smugmug

Service Offered	Service Offered Portfolio site
Key Features	Key Features Simply choose your website design and add sales functionality
Best For	Best For Photographers who want to add photo sales to their portfolio

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SmugMug

SmugMug

$1.00

Buy Now!

SmugMug is an excellent site for those photographers with an entrepreneurial mindset. It allows you to create a professional portfolio to display and sell your work, making it a central hub for your photography business. 

They don’t offer the biggest selection of templates portfolios, but what they do have is excellent. Sleek, professional designs give you an impressive store font presents your work in its best light. 

There’s no limit to the number of JPEG images you can store, allowing you to display all your best work. RAW file storage, however, is an additional extra you need to purchase. 

They provide guidance on pricing your work, but you have final say on how much you charge. You need to bear in mind that SmugMug takes a 15% commission on all sales through the platform, so that might influence your prices. 

Integrated payment systems for the likes of Paypal make the financial side of the business super easy. There are no credit card processing fees, and tax calculations and receipts are generated automatically. 

You can also sell prints as well as digital images, and the printing services are integrated into your account. The number of printing services available depends on your location, but the streamlined process gives you more options for making money from photo sales. Shipment and delivery are also taken care of. 

The 24/7 support channels are a godsend, especially when you’re setting up your account. Both phone and chat are manned by real people, so you always get the answers you need. 

SmugMug makes it easy to run a photography business. Your account becomes a portfolio, a sales hub, an accounting center, and a creative community. 

Check out our full SmugMug Review if you want to learn more. 

3. Alamy

Service offered	Service offered Stock photo site
Key Features	Key Features More than 60 million images
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for generous royalty payments

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Alamy

Alamy

$1.00

Buy Now!

Alamy is a British stock photography website that was started in 1999. To date, it has over 60 million photos and videos. There is a reason for this tremendous amount of content. And it’s partly because of the 50% royalty payment on each photograph it sells.

Despite the large commissions, exclusivity agreements are optional, so you can still sell the same images on different platforms. That’s why this is one of the first choices for selling photos online.

And they don’t just accept images. You can also upload stock video footage to help broaden your appeal and generate more sales. Their catalog is extensive, and they have curated galleries to help users find what they need. 

Alamy doesn’t make any changes to your work once the images are uploaded, and the copyright stays with you. You still own the work even if you have an (optional) exclusive agreement. The platform is also completely secure, so no one can steal your work from their platform without paying. 

Alamy‘s pro-creator attitude influences its ban on AI-generated images and videos. Everything on their site has been created by a real-life artist, which is great news for sellers and buyers. 

4. iStock Stock Photos

Service Offered	Service Offered Stock photo site
Key Features	Key Features 15-45% royalties
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for a comprehensive, high-traffic site

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iStock Stock Photos

iStock

$1.00

Buy Now!

iStock photo is Getty Images’ microstock branch. It’s a great place to sell stock photos if you are starting because it’s a well-known site with millions of users all looking for stock images and content to illustrate their media. 

iStock has a massive library, which means you work can get drowned out. But with the right research, you can find popular yet under-represented niches.

iStock also includes popular forums and resources that help you understand how to sell photos online. This information is especially useful if this if you’re first experience selling stock images. 

The royalty payment starts at 15% per download. It can increase to 45%, depending on how popular your photos are. If a customer purchases an image using their subscription credits, you only receive 15%.

If you are into exclusivity, iStock Photo will give you 22 to 45%. This rate works on a contract with a 30-day notice period.

You never have to work about your work being stolen or used illegitimately. iStock has excellent security and no one can use your images without making a purchase first. They also use temporary watermarks in the viewer, so people can’t screenshot the images and use them illegally.  

5. ShootProof

Service Offered	Service Offered All-in-one photography business tool
Key Features	Key Features Website templates and integrated sales features
Best For	Best For Photographers looking for a bright, stylish website to sell their photos

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ShootProof

ShootProof

$1.00

Buy Now!

ShootProof is another platform that works as a central hub for your online photography business. It’s a portfolio website with galleries to display your best images. It’s a sales platform that allows viewers to buy your work. It also offers file storage and invoicing and accounting support. 

The galleries and portfolios are simple yet stylish, and you have options to customize the templates to make them more personal and unique. You can also make password-protected galleries for specific clients, allowing you to share your work privately and securely. 

The platform provides contract templates with personalized logos, which is a big help if you’re new to the legalities of professional photography. These include model and property release forms, which can be a pain when you’re starting out. You can also upload contract templates if you already have your own.

eCommerce is simple with ShootProof. You can set prices, create pricing packages and bundles, and arrange discounts. They also help you sell prints of your images, working with several US-based and European printing companies. 

ShootProof offers several subscription plans. They are all reasonably priced, so it’s a case of finding the plan that matches the needs of your business at this time. You can also upgrade at a later date if business picks up.

Read our full ShootProof review for more information. 

6. Shutterstock Stock Photos

Service Offered	Service Offered Stock photo site
Key Features	Key Features Huge repository and non-exclusive use
Best For	Best For Anyone looking to sell their photos in several locations

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Shutterstock Stock Photos

Shutterstock

$1.00

Buy Now!

Shutterstock houses 184 million images and 91 million videos. They have been enjoying steady growth in sales since its founding in 2003. In 2017, people downloaded 172,000,000 images from this website.

Uploading to the marketplace will net you up to 30% of the sale price of your image. This percentage depends on the size of your image, with payouts falling between $0.25 and $28.

The best thing is that you keep the copyright. So you can still sell the images elsewhere.

7. Etsy

Service Offered	Service Offered Storefront
Key Features	Key Features Set up your own store to sell your images
Best For	Best For Anyone looking to sell directly with full control over prices

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Etsy

Etsy

$1.00

Buy Now!

Etsy is the biggest marketplace on the internet for handmade products. The items you can sell can be physical prints or digital photography downloads. Most of the products are unique. And many are one-off items the creators won’t make again.

With over 30 million users, Etsy is a great platform to sell your photos.

You can also recreate your brand on Etsy. You set the price for your images and even design a page that best displays your photos.

Etsy keeps 20 cents for each product you upload and 3.5% of the sale price. Selling items here can be a challenge. But they offer a helpful handbook to teach you all about branding and marketing. The information they share includes how to price your items, how to sell your photos, and how to succeed.

8. Canva

Service Offered	Service Offered Design website
Key Features	Key Features Sell your images to Canva users in their designs
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for an extra outlet for their photos

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Canva

Canva

$1.00

Buy Now!

Canva is one of the most user-friendly graphic design editing platforms. It has drag-and-drop features that allow anyone to create anything from posters to Instagram Story animations.

A lot of the graphics and photos that Canva offers are free. But they also sell other services, including stock photography.

Unlike some traditional stock photography agencies, this stock website makes it easy for people to buy pictures. Users have to drag and drop the photos. Then they click to purchase them to remove the watermark.

Canva’s ease of use means lots of potential to earn money. Many people don’t usually use stock agencies but regularly buy photos from the platform.

With millions of users, Canva continually expands and looks for new stock photos to sell. You can apply and post your stock photos on the website. But they also regularly ask their contributors to photograph custom projects for them.

9. Zenfolio

Service Offered	Service Offered Portfolio and eCommerce platform
Key Features	Key Features Hosts video media and has integrated eCommerce features
Best For	Best For Multimedia creators

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Zenfolio

Zenfolio

$1.00

Buy Now!

Zenfolio is another fantastic portfolio and eCommerce platform for photographers. It’s easy to set up and use, streamlining many processes that can be a pain when running a photography business. 

While the templates look fantastic, Zenfolio doesn’t have a wide selection, unlike some competitors. That’s not a problem if you want your work to speak for itself, but it is more difficult to make a truly unique portfolio. 

Security is excellent, with Zenfolio adding in-viewer watermarks and preventing viewers from copying images without purchasing. You can also apply specific security settings to individual galleries.

Zenfolio is a great portfolio option for multimedia creators, as the platform allows you to host videos as well as images. They get the same security treatment as the images, and clients are able to download and redeem prepaid videos. 

As an eCommerce platform, you can sell digital images and physical prints. Thanks to the embedded print partners, selling physical pictures is just as easy as selling digital files. Although, printing options are limited outside the USA.

The easy of use, reasonable pricing, and professional built-in features make Zenfolio a great option for selling photos online.

10. Adobe Stock

Service Offered	Service Offered Stock photo site
Key Features	Key Features Integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud
Best For	Best For Any Creative Cloud users

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Adobe Stock

Adobe

$1.00

Buy Now!

Adobe Stock (formerly Fotolia) is another microstock photography website. It represents over 57 million images. Adobe repurchased this site in 2014, integrating it into its Creative Cloud service. Here, you can receive royalties between 20 and 46%.

The best part about this site is that your royalties come immediately. Other sites wait until you reach a financial threshold or after 30 days.

Four million buyers use this site, so showing them your images is in your best interest.

11. Artfinder

Service Offered	Service Offered Platform for artists and artisans to sell their work online
Key Features	Key Features Self-managed curation
Best For	Best For Photographers wanting to sell prints outside of stock photography niches

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Artfinder

Artfinder

$1.00

Buy Now!

Artfinder is one of the best website for independent artists to sell their work online. The site isn’t exclusive to photography. In fact, most of the sellers are not photographers, but Artfinder is becoming more and more popular with those selling photographs. 

Artfinder has over 450,000 active users worldwide and is growing quickly. That means it has 450,000 potential buyers of your work. And all the users are art lovers. They aren’t businesses looking for stock images, which allows you to display and sell your passion projects, not just the in-demand niches. 

Signing up and becoming a seller is completely free. You set your own prices and Artfinder provides you with performance stats and other handy insights to help your online store. They also give you tips on making attractive listings and attracting more buyers. 

A sellers’ forum is another great feature, allowing you communicate with other artists on the platform. You can ask questions, find interesting insights, and make friends. It’s an open, positive, and support community of artists from all over the world. 

There are no exclusivity agreements when listing your work on Artfinder. That means you can use Artfinder as one part of a bigger online sales strategy, incorporating several platforms to maximize exposure and sales. 

12. Dreamstime Stock Photos

Service Offered	Service Offered Photo gallery site
Key Features	Key Features Self-managed curation
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for more control over how their images are presented

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Dreamstime Stock Photos

Dreamstime

$1.00

Buy Now!

Like iStock and Shutterstock, this agency is a perfect starting point if you want to sell online photos. It’s user-friendly. And the requirements aren’t as strict as its rivals.

What makes Dreamstime different is that you get to create and curate your galleries. That way, you have more control over selling photos online. In that respect, you can think of this agency more as a hosting site.

But, of course, that doesn’t mean you can post just anything. Your submissions will still undergo screening to ensure you don’t violate the site rules. For instance, you can’t upload violent or copyrighted content. But if you follow all the guidelines, you can expect to make money once your images are online.

Your commissions start at 25% for a non-exclusive image and 27% for an exclusive option. But as you sell more photos, that can go up to 45% and 49.5%, respectively.

13. Wirestock

Service Offered	Service Offered Image syndication
Key Features	Key Features Lets you upload to multiple platforms easily
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for maximum reach for their images

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Wirestock

Wirestock

$1.00

Buy Now!

Wirestock is a handy tool to help you sell your photos on multiple platforms. You can upload the images to Shutterstock, Depositphotos, and more… All at the same time! And all with just a few clicks of a button.

Another benefit of Wirestock is that the platform handles captioning and keywording. Your future sales and commissions depend on how easy it is to find your images. As well as how well the keywords capture their essence. Using Wirestock to take care of this tedious process is a real time-saver!

Wirestock allows creators to focus on creating instead of juggling multiple platforms.

14. Instaproofs

Service Offered	Service Offered Storefront
Key Features	Key Features Integrates simply with your Instagram account
Best For	Best For Selling images with interest generated via Instagram

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Instaproofs

Instaproofs

$1.00

Buy Now!

Instaproofs is an online photo storefront. The “Insta” part of the name comes from the ease of taking images from your Instagram account to the website.

You define the print sizes and the price tags that come alongside them. The free account lets you create 15 galleries with a 3 GB storage capacity. The site will also take a 12% commission from your sales if you’re not a paying member.

But if you think it’s worth it, you can also subscribe for $10 per month. Doing so lets you sell images without commission, which helps if many people buy your photos.

15. Fine Art America

Service Offered	Service Offered Direct printing and sales
Key Features	Key Features Site handles all the sales, printing, and delivery
Best For	Best For Anyone looking to sell their printed images easily

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Fine Art America

Fine Art America

$1.00

Buy Now!

Fine Art America is a print-on-demand site. That means they only print and ship your images when a buyer buys one. Their focus is on fine arts, such as photography and digital images of painting, etc.

You can set your prices on Fine Art America, and the website will add its markup. You keep 35% of the final price, and they get the other 65%. So if you demand $10 profit, they will price your piece at $47.

But it isn’t bad since you control how much you want to earn per image. Not to mention that you don’t need to print the photos yourself.

FAQs About the Best Places to Sell Photos Online

Here are answers to three questions we get asked about the most. We hope they help you decide where to sell your photos online.

Can I Build My Own Website?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, building your own website is one of the best ways to create an online portfolio and sales hub without fees and commissions. 

There is nothing like selling your work on your own site. If you are tech-savvy, you can find a way to do this for “free” (not counting domain and hosting fees).

If you aren’t proficient in web design or programming, you can join Wix or Square Space. They do all the background work for you.

Once you set up your website, you can offer as many photos as you want! There is no fee or commission to pay third-party sites after each sale.

A quick Google search can help you find the best website builder. Then you can start selling your own high-quality photos.

It’s a great option if you get a lot of traffic to your site.

What Is the Difference Between Microstock vs Regular Stock Sites?

Microstock is a pretty new term in photography. It was born with the introduction of sites such as iStock and Shutterstock. Traditional stock agencies generally sell stock photography at a higher price. In contrast, microstock sites offer a low-cost alternative.

The average price that microstock photo sites sell ranges from a few cents to about $5. The photographer then receives a percentage of that sale price. These sites often offer monthly subscriptions to customers for several downloads a month.

Regular stock photography sites, on average, charge a higher price for photos. But it is not unusual for them to sell a photo for a few dollars. So while you may sell more photos on a microstock site, your average sale price will usually be higher on a traditional stock website.

What Is the Difference Between a Managed vs Unmanaged Stock Photo Site?

Some managed stock photography companies have an editor who reviews your photo submissions. And they select the photos that they will want to represent.

So the chosen photos then go through a quality control (QC) process. And this ensures they are good enough for that agency.

An unmanaged agency is one where all the photos you submit are accepted as long as they pass QC. For example, Alamy Stock Photo is an unmanaged stock photo site.

There are pros and cons to using either. The more photos you have online, the more chance of selling one. But on the flip side, the more photos the agency has on its site, the more yours will be lost amongst the crowd.

The other advantage of a managed stock site is that only your best photos will be on sale.

What Should I Look For in the Fine Print?

There are several details to look for. It’s important that after you choose the company that will sell your work, you read and understand the terms and conditions.

There will often be a minimum term that they will want the photo for. So if you decide to pull your images from one agency and move to another, it might be months, if not years, before you can.

You should also be clear on the exclusivity that the agency will need regarding your work. Some stock photography sites will allow you to send the same images to other sites. But some will want exclusive rights to the photos they accept.

That means you won’t be allowed to send those photos to other stock photography sites. This would include similar photos taken that are considered “sister images.”

The other important factor is the commission that you will receive. While one agency might sell your photos at a higher price, they may offer a lower commission.

This could range from 20% to 50% or more. So ensure you check how much you will make from each sale.

Conclusion: Best Places to Sell Photos Online

Stock photography websites are perfect because they take the workload off your shoulders. You can make money just by sharing your portfolio. You can try all the websites we mentioned in this article. Most of them are non-exclusive, so you can add the same image to different platforms and widen your audience.

Non-stock websites will make you more money per image. But they may need more work. For instance, Etsy requires that you print and ship the photos yourself. That process takes time, effort, and energy. But if you stick with it, the long-term payout can be better than stock photography.

So which is the best site to sell photos? We think Picfair is the best choice for selling photos online. This is due to its extensive and varied customer base and worldwide presence. It also has a user-friendly eCommerce features that streamline the accounting process. 

Our Top 3 Choices for Selling Photos Online

Picfair

Picfair

SmugMug

SmugMug

Alamy

Alamy

Wix is the best website builder for photographers. It’s a well-priced website builder anyone can use. It’s a no-code platform with drag-and-drop design tools. So you don’t need web design experience.

There are thousands of design capabilities. And you can develop your own branding. It even uses AI features for streamlined website building.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Website Builder For Photographers

Wix

Wix

Squarespace

Squarespace

Elementor

Elementor

What Is the Best Website Builder For Photographers?

The best website builders let you create a personal and professional website. And the result should be an online space that shows your work at its best.

They should be easy to use. And no computer design or coding experience should be necessary. Thankfully, there are plenty of website builders that make it super easy.

The best website builders have easy-to-use tools. They have drag-and-drop tools and predesigned templates and widgets.

You want a website builder with a good selection of templates. And you’ll also want a way to customize your webpage. This helps you create a website that stands out from the crowd.

You don’t want a website that looks identical to everyone else’s. You want something eye-catching and original. Plus, websites are now more than pages with text and images.

They’ve become fully interactive experiences. So you need a good landing page to grab the viewer’s attention. And you need good navigation tools are vital for helping visitors browse your website.

All the website builders in this article have these features. But finding the best one is about picking the one that matches your objective, style, and budget.

You can see all the website builders in the table below. Then we look at each one in more detail in the section after.

Our Top Choice

Wix

Wix

• High storage capacity on higher plans
• Drag-and-drop editing
• Logo design tools
• 24/7 customer service

Best for Simple Websites

Squarespace

Squarespace

• Fantastic template selection
• Mobile-optimized websites
• Custom domain name
• Popup guides to help you design your website

Best for WordPress Sites

Elementor

Elementor

• 30-day money-back guarantee
• 100+ designs and widgets
• Drag-and-drop design tools
• Custom popup builder

Best for Portfolios

Format

Format

• Large photo and video hosting capacity
• Templates designed for photographers
• eCommerce features for businesses
• 14-day free trial on all plans

Most Affordable Portfolio Site

Zenfolio

Zenfolio

• Shareable client galleries
• Automated workflows for faster website building
• Built-in payment system for selling prints and downloads
• Decent amount of digital storage on all plans

Best for Storage

SmugMug

SmugMug

• 14-day free trial on any plan
• Password-protected galleries for clients
• Unlimited storage on all plans
• SmugMug apps for managing your site from your mobile

Best for eCommerce

ShootProof

ShootProof

• Fantastic storage options on all plans
• Built-in tools for invoicing
• Can draft contracts for clients
• 14-day free trial on any plan

Best for Blogging and Social Media

Pixpa

Pixpa

• Custom features for blogging and sharing on social media
• 14-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee
• Wide range of portfolio templates for photographers
• Drag-and-drop editing tools

Best for Adobe Subscribers

Adobe Portfolio

Adobe Portfolio

• Creative Cloud subscription gives you Photoshop and Lightroom
• Professional portfolio templates
• Custom domain names
• Custom formatting for laptops, tablets, and smartphones

9 Best Website Builders for Photographers

All photographers need an online space to display, promote, and sell their work. And the website builders in this article have been handpicked for photographers.

They have everything a photographer needs to create a digital hub for their business. And we’ve included sites for all levels and budgets. You just need to select the one that suits your needs.

1. Wix

Brand	Brand Wix
Free Trial / Free Plan	Free Trial / Free Plan 14-day refund window
Number of Plans	Number of Plans 4
Key Features	Key Features Large storage capacity, 24/7 customer service, drag-and-drop editing, custom domain, logo design tools
Best For	Best For Creating a unique website

×

Wix

Wix

$1.00

Buy Now!

Wix isn’t designed for photographers specifically. But it comes at a reasonable price and delivers excellent results. So it still scores high on our list of the best website builders for photographers.

With this site, you can build a fantastic-looking website with little trouble. It’s a website builder for professionals in the creative industries.

It’s not exclusive to photographers. But it does have superb galleries and portfolios photographers can use to showcase their work.

The extra creative elements help you build an online space uniquely yours. And the templates make it easy to build a website. But you get enough creative control to make it personal.

Their sites can be used as online galleries or as a hub for your photography business. It also gives you logo design tools to help you expand your brand.

Plus, it has built-in SEO tools to help you boost traffic. And there’s 24/7 customer service if you encounter problems.

Usability

Wix is beginner-friendly with a straightforward workflow. Even if you’ve never designed a website, you’ll quickly get the hang of Wix.

There are a ton of tools and features that allow you to customize any of the templates. And the drag-and-drop system makes page design easy.

The number of templates is impressive, almost verging on overwhelming. But while having a good selection of templates is a good thing, Wix may have gone overboard.

This means you can choose a unique design. But you are spoiled for choice.

If you want to opt out of the design process, leave it to Wix ADI (artificial design intelligence). This uses your social media information to construct a website for you.

It’s a nifty feature. But if you want a smart photography website, it’s best to put in the extra effort.

Pricing Options

Its prices make Wix one of the top competitors for website builders. There’s no free subscription option. But they offer a 14-day refund window if you don’t like the service.

The Connect Domain plan is the cheapest option. And it’s one of the cheapest basic plans of any website builder. That’s why it’s a good option for photographers with a young business.

The VIP is the top plan. It gives you plenty of features like 35 GB of storage and 5 hours of video. But the price is still reasonable. You also have the Combo and Unlimited plans in between.

You’ll get much more in return if you stretch your budget a bit. And the plans offer excellent value. So you never have to stretch it that far.

Wix has more business and eCommerce plans to grow your enterprise. But the four website plans are perfect for a fledgling photography business.

2. Squarespace

Brand	Brand Squarespace
Free Trial / Free Plan	Free Trial / Free Plan 14-day free trial on all plans
Number of Plans	Number of Plans 4
Key Features	Key Features Mobile-optimized websites, drag-and-drop editing, 100+ templates, custom domain name
Best For	Best For Sleek and simple website designs

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Squarespace

Squarespace

$1.00

Buy Now!

Squarespace is one of the most popular website builders in the creative industries. You can’t watch a YouTube video these days without seeing their advert.

But their popularity isn’t only due to their advertising campaign. It’s an excellent builder for simple yet sleek photography websites.

Their product is aimed at artists of all kinds. And photographers fit perfectly into that demographic.

The Squarespace portfolio templates are excellent in general. But they have templates specifically tailored for photography portfolios.

Squarespace is a website builder with an excellent array of designs. And all the designs give you professional results.

They have an elegant minimalism that is attractive but easy on the eye. Plus, the templates enhance your photos, not overshadow them.

Usability

The best website builders are easy for anyone to use. And Squarespace fits into that category.

Nothing is hidden within a maze of menus. And the drag-and-drop interface makes web design as simple as moving your mouse.

With Squarespace, you can jump right in. You don’t need to watch any tutorials before you get started.

And if you do get stuck, some popups guide you along. Just hover your mouse over an area, and an info box appears. You can take it as fast or as slow as you want.

The site provides customer support if you do get stuck. There’s 24-hour email support and a live chat line. The chat is open Monday to Friday from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm EDT (eastern daylight time).

Pricing Options

Squarespace offers a free trial period for all new subscribers. It gives you full access to any of the plans for 14 days. But once the trial ends, you’ll be asked to hand over your billing information.

With a monthly subscription cost, Squarespace is more expensive than some of its rivals. But judging by this web builder’s popularity, many think it’s worth the price.

There are different Personal and Business packages. And the two top plans are Commerce (Basic) and Commerce (Advanced).

The Personal package gives you everything for a smashing photo website for an individual photographer. But you can upgrade if you’re running a company or agency.

Squarespace is the best website builder for photographers if you have the money to spend.

3. Elementor

Brand	Brand Elementor
Free Trial / Free Plan	Free Trial / Free Plan 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of Plans	Number of Plans 4
Key Features	Key Features Drag-and-drop tools, 100+ designs, 100+ widgets, form builder, popup builder, motion effects
Best For	Best For Photographers and creatives of all levels

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Elementor

Elementor

$1.00

Buy Now!

Elementor is a web builder designed with creatives in mind. It has templates for media, eCommerce, and photographer bios. And it has specific portfolio templates for photographers.

You don’t need to worry if you lack computer skills with Elementor. The interface is intuitive and easy to use.

Plus, many of the features work with an easy drag-and-drop system. So it’s perfect as your first website builder.

The program is beginner-friendly. But the final results are suitable for any professional photographer.

The page designs are classy with a contemporary aesthetic. The final pages are slick, smart, and stylish. And your photos will look great in Elementor’s photographer templates.

Usability

Elementor is a WordPress plugin. So you need an account before downloading Elementor. But if you’re familiar with WordPress already, there aren’t many surprises.

The menus are clear. So you can always find what you need. And it’s easy to apply the features you want to your photography website.

The drag-and-drop interface gives you incredible freedom to structure your page. And there are very few limitations.

You can use the templates they provide. But you can also make adjustments to create a unique visual experience.

So you can display your portfolio however you wish. And you can create a memorable photography site that puts your work at the forefront.

Pricing Options

Elementor has no free subscription plan. The Basic plan is their cheapest option.

This gives you one WordPress-hosted site and access for one member. It also gives you 10 GB of digital storage. It’s decent value. And it has everything someone early in their career would need. 

If you find that restrictive, you can upgrade to one of Elementor’s higher plans. The Business plan is their next offer. Then they have the Grow and Scale plans above that.

Each step comes with increased storage, monthly visit limits, and bandwidth. You can also have more users and more websites under one account. 

The plans are well structured. And the price increases match what you get in return. They allow you to start small with space to grow as your business develops.

We are disappointed there’s no free plan. But Elementor does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. It lets you get a feel for the builder. And if it’s not to your liking, you can quit without losing anything.

4. Format

Brand	Brand Format
Free Trial / Free Plan	Free Trial / Free Plan 14-day free trial
Number of Plans	Number of Plans 3
Key Features	Key Features eCommerce features, video hosting, photography-specific templates
Best For	Best For Photography portfolios

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Format

Format

$1.00

Buy Now!

Format is the best website builder if you want a professional photography portfolio. They have hundreds of template designs. And they have a whole collection dedicated to photography portfolios.

You can create sleek and professional galleries. And the eCommerce tools help you make money online.

This doesn’t give you the most diverse and interactive website. But it’s the perfect option for displaying and selling photos online.

Usability

The wide selection of smart templates makes Format easy to use. You can have something that looks professional with very little input. It also has the tools to make it unique to your photography brand.

The site allows you to upload photos directly from Adobe Lightroom or Capture One. And you don’t need to worry about online image theft.

You can turn off the right clicks on your site. So no one will be able to download your images without permission.

The “client proofing” is another bonus. You can create client-specific galleries that are password protected.

Not only is it a safe way to share your work, but it’s much quicker than using email. And again, the eCommerce features are great for generating some extra income.

Pricing Options

Format doesn’t have a free plan. But you can start with a 14-day free trial. Then you can choose a paid plan—Basic, Pro, or Pro Plus.

The Basic plan gives you a 15-page website that can display up to 100 images. It’s a cheap option and a good place to start. But if you pay slightly more, you get much more for your money.

The Pro plan is excellent value for money. And you get so much more than the Basic plan.

There’s no limit to the number of pages your website can have. And you can display 1500 high-resolution images. You can also display 15 minutes of video. Plus, you get 100 GB of storage.

Pro Plus gives you unlimited pages and image displays. You can display 120 minutes of video. And you get 1 TB of digital storage.

It also lets you sell up to 1000 products in your online store. So it’s a great option when your business is fully up and running.

Format plans are very reasonably priced. But you get far more for your money with the Pro and Pro Plus plans. So we recommend either of those plans, even if you’re just starting.

5. Zenfolio

Brand	Brand Zenfolio
Free Trial / Free Plan	Free Trial / Free Plan 14-day free trial
Number of Plans	Number of Plans 3
Key Features	Key Features Shareable client galleries, customizable temples, automated workflows
Best For	Best For Photographers looking for an affordable online portfolio

×

Zenfolio

Zenfolio

$1.00

Buy Now!

Zenfolio offers one of the best opportunities for photographers to create an online portfolio. The platform has excellent photography templates and web design tools.

The website designs are classy and professional. And there are many photographer-specific features to help your online business thrive.

The web design tools couldn’t be easier to use. And the prices make Zenfolio a fantastic option for photographers with a tight budget.

Usability

Zenfolio‘s web templates are excellent. You can upload the photos to your portfolio with very little trouble, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. Plus, you get unlimited storage on the higher plans.

You can create password-protected galleries for clients. And Zenfolio gives you a guarantee of total image security on all of their sites. This means viewers can’t download images without permission.

The eCommerce features are a strong point for this website builder. A built-in payment system makes it easy to sell prints and other products. So you get a gallery and photo store in one place.

Pricing Options

Zenfolio has a 14-day free trial on all plans. And when you start paying, there’s no big shock.

The prices are very reasonable for a photography website builder of this quality. The prices are some of the lowest on this list if you pay annually instead of monthly.

You can start with the Portfolio plan. It gives you 15 GB of storage and client-proofing features.

The PortfolioPlus plan gives you more storage and multi-page options. And the ProSuite gives you unlimited storage and all the features you could need.

We think the Portfolio plan is ideal for beginners. The price is excellent, especially if you pay annually. And you can move to higher plans with no heavy financial impact.

Zenfolio is an affordable website builder for photographers looking for a professional portfolio. You read our comparison between Zenfolio vs SmugMug, the next choice on our list.

6. SmugMug

Brand	Brand SmugMug
Free Trial / Free Plan	Free Trial / Free Plan 14-day free trial
Number of Plans	Number of Plans 3
Key Features	Key Features Unlimited storage on all plans, privacy control, customer support, Lightroom integration
Best For	Best For Secure photo storage and eCommerce

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SmugMug

SmugMug

$1.00

Buy Now!

SmugMug is one of the best photo storage websites available. It’s also a great way to display, promote, and sell your work online.

You can create and share galleries with clients and other websites. And you can make money selling prints and downloads.

Usability

It doesn’t have the easiest interface when it comes to website building. And it’s not as smooth as Elementor or Wix. But the effort will be worth it.

SmugMug gives you password-protected client-proofing options. And you can disable downloads from your site, making it harder for people to steal your work.

It’s also easy to set up your online store with its eCommerce features. And you have custom pricing options for print and download sales.

When you sign up with SmugMug, you also get an app. It’s available for iOS and Android. And it lets you manage your site on the go. You can display brand-new shots when you’re still in the studio!

Pricing Options

SmugMug offers a 14-day free trial on all plans. The prices are at the higher end of the scale than others on this list.

But photographers with a large catalog of photos will appreciate the unlimited storage. And that unlimited storage is available on all three plans!

The Power plan is the cheapest option. This storage plan has very few options for displaying and selling your work.

That’s why we recommend the Portfolio or Pro plans for photography businesses. They have excellent eCommerce options. And you can create client galleries and professional portfolios.

You’ll need a bigger budget for a SmugMug subscription. But they have some of the best eCommerce options of any website builder.

They also give you unlimited storage. And they help you with invoices. So it’s ideal for any flourishing photography business.

Read our comparison between SmugMug vs Zenfolio, the previous choice on our list.

7. ShootProof

Brand	Brand ShootProof
Free Trial / Free Plan	Free Trial / Free Plan 14-day free trial for paid plans and one free plan
Number of Plans	Number of Plans 5
Key Features	Key Features Custom branded galleries, payment and invoicing tools, and anti-theft features
Best For	Best For eCommerce and financial features

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ShootProof

ShootProof

$1.00

Buy Now!

ShootProof isn’t exactly a website builder like the previous ones listed. This is something a bit different. Rather than using a program for website building, it’s a host for your photography business.

You can create branded galleries and portfolios. You can have password-protected galleries for clients. And ShootProof gives you fantastic eCommerce tools for running your online business.

Usability

Rather than creating your own website, ShootProof hosts you on their site. And from there, you can make a portfolio and sell your products with your branding.

It’s quicker and easier than creating your own website from scratch. But it’s more restrictive than the previous options.

You’re not building your own website. So you need to work within their template. And you don’t have many options for customizing the pages and galleries. But the portfolios are professional and classy.

You can safely share images with clients using password-protected galleries. You can also protect your photos and add unique watermarks for further protection.

The main benefits of ShootProof are the eCommerce features. They help you create contracts for clients. Anyone running their own business knows how important that is.

All financial transactions can be arranged through them. And it’s easy to generate invoices through the platform.

Pricing Options

ShootProof has a free plan for beginners. It’s called the 100 Photo Plan. And it gives you free storage for 100 photos. This is a good place to start. But you’ll soon realize 100 photos isn’t a lot.

That’s why we recommend going straight for one of the paid plans.

You get a 14-day free trial with all the paid plans. And they offer excellent value. It’s worth the extra cost to sell photos and services through the website.

The plans are arranged by how many photos you can display. Above the 100 Photo Plan, you have the 1,500, 5,000, and 25,000 Photo Plans.

And the top plan gives you unlimited photo storage. This means you can upgrade as your portfolio grows and develops.

The plans are well-priced. But ShootProof is only a good option if you know you’ll make money through the website. It is an excellent website if you have an income from your photography business.

8. Pixpa

Brand	Brand Pixpa
Free Trial / Free Plan	Free Trial / Free Plan 15-day free trial and 30-day money back guarantee
Number of Plans	Number of Plans 4
Key Features	Key Features Wide range of portfolio templates, preset and custom layouts, 24/7 customer service, eCommerce features
Best For	Best For Blogging and social media

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Pixpa

Pixpa

$1.00

Buy Now!

Pixpa is an all-in-one website builder for photographers and creative professionals. They have a no-code philosophy, making a platform accessible to all users. 

This is a dedicated photography website builder. And their template gallery pages are some of the best for displaying your photographs online.

They also have custom galleries for social media and smartphone displays. So this site gives you a professional photography portfolio without the stress of other website builders.

Usability

In Pixpa, changing the templates with the visual editor tools is easy. And editing the pages couldn’t be easier with the drag-and-drop tools.

It gives you eCommerce galleries for selling prints and other photo products. But their standout feature is their client-proofing platform.

This consists of password-protected galleries and gallery apps. And it simplifies the client-proofing workflow for photographers.

Pricing Options

You can try Pixpa before you pay for a plan. They give you a 15-day free trial on any plan.

Then you can continue with a paid plan. And if you change your mind later, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.

There’s no free option aside from the 15-day trial. But the basic version is very reasonably priced.

You can upgrade to one of the higher plans if you need more. And with each upgrade, more templates and features become available.

Pixpa is one of the best website builders for photographers available today. Plus, it’s a great website builder on a tight budget.

It’s easy to upgrade when the money starts rolling in. And it’s also a perfect match if you like blogging and posting your work on social media.

Use the discount coupon code EP10 to save 10% on any plan.

9. Adobe Portfolio

Brand	Brand Adobe
Free Trial / Free Plan	Free Trial / Free Plan No
Number of Plans	Number of Plans 1
Key Features	Key Features Gives you access to Photoshop and Lightroom, custom domain, professional templates
Best For	Best For Adobe Creative Cloud subscribers

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Adobe Portfolio

Adobe

$1.00

Buy Now!

Adobe Portfolio is the best website builder for Adobe subscribers.

It’s fully integrated with Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. And you can create a custom website to display your photography work professionally.

Usability

Adobe Portfolio gives you a decent selection of website templates. They all look professional, smart, and elegant. And there’s a big enough range to find one that matches your photography style.

You don’t get many custom features or add-ons. But the galleries let your images do the talking.

You can choose from any of Adobe’s unique fonts for the website text. And you can use different photo grids to display your best images.

They have password-protected galleries and pages. And Adobe has excellent security settings. So viewers can’t steal your work.

Portfolio sites look fantastic on all devices. They automatically resize your pages and content to fit any device. So you don’t need to create different pages for laptop, tablet, or smartphone screens.

Pricing Options

Adobe Portfolio comes as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud package. This means it’s only worth it if you access Photoshop and Lightroom too.

The higher price means there isn’t much point in paying for Creative Cloud if you only want Adobe Portfolio.

But the Creative Cloud is excellent value in general. And that’s especially true if you want a website builder to create an online hub for your work. It does give you everything a photographer needs.

Best Website Builder for Photographers Buyer’s Guide (FAQs)

We answer a few frequently asked questions about website builders for photographers. You need to know it is the right one for your business. And these answers will help you find the perfect one.

Which Website Builder Is Best for Custom Designs?

Elementor is best for custom designs. It gives you incredible creative control. It’s a WordPress extension that takes your website to a new level. And you don’t need any web design skills.

The drag-and-drop tools mean anyone can create an eye-catching website. So you can build something truly unique with no prior experience.

Wix is another website builder with terrific custom design features. They have excellent templates and designs. There are so many options to choose from.

And you can customize every page with the drag-and-drop tools. So it is easy to create a personal and professional website in no time.

Which Website Builder Is Best for Selling Photos?

ShootProof has the best eCommerce features for selling photos. It isn’t exactly a website builder. But it’s the best option if you make a living by selling prints, downloads, or services.

Financial transactions are performed safely through the website. And they have tools to help you create contracts and invoices. They make it easy to run your business online.

SmugMug is another good choice for selling photos online. They have features for invoicing and pricing.

Plus, you can run your entire business from your account page. Your SmugMug page will become the center of your photography business.

Which Website Builder Is Best for Portfolios?

Format has the best options if you want an online photography portfolio. The templates are stylish, modern, and professional.

It has an excellent range of premade galleries. And you can customize certain elements. But they never distract from your work.

Zenfolio is another fantastic option for photography portfolios. It’s slightly more affordable than Format. But it still gives you all the tools you need for a professional photo gallery.

You can create large galleries that show your range as a photographer. And you can make client-specific portfolios for targeted promotion.

Do Photographers Need a Website?

Yes. A website isn’t only a photographer’s portfolio. It’s their business card, personal profile, and point of contact.

A website can also be a photographer’s shop window. It’s where you can display your best photography work. And anyone can check it out.

Some people may already be familiar with your work. But they may want to learn more about you. And the place to do that is your photography website.

These viewers might be admirers of your work. Or they could be potential clients.

Social media is a useful tool for photographers. You can post your favorite photos and gain a bit of exposure. But if you’re serious about photography as a career, you need a photography website.

A photography website is an online portfolio and gallery. And you can display your best work with separate sections for different projects and styles.

The strategy is up to you. You can show a wide range of styles. Or you can target the area of photography that makes you employable.

Building a website might seem like another financial drain. But it’s an investment that can turn into financial gain.

Many website builders have excellent eCommerce tools. And these help you sell prints and downloads online. So your photography website could become your main source of income.

Conclusion: The Best Website Builder for Photographers

The best website builder for photographers is a portfolio, contact card, and store. And all the websites listed here have strengths within those fields.

We’ve selected easy-to-use and accessible website builders. So you don’t need any web design experience to use any of them. And there’s a website builder for all budgets.

Wix is the best website builder for photographers. It gives you complete control over your website. And it empowers you to create an online space that’s totally unique. It’s easy to use, even for tech-shy users. And the subscription plans are well-priced, with plenty of room to grow. 

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Website Builder For Photographers

Wix

Wix

Squarespace

Squarespace

Elementor

Elementor

Having the right lighting can make all the difference. That’s why we’ve chosen the best lighting for Zoom calls to help you make that decision. Our top pick is the Lume Cube 18-inch Ring Light Kit. Its generous size, adjustable color temperature, and built-in power supply make it a great choice for Zoom calls.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Lighting For Zoom Calls

Lume Cube 18″ LED Ring Light Kit

Lume Cube 18″ LED Ring Light Kit

Neewer 18″ Ring Light Kit

Neewer 18″ Ring Light Kit

Razer Ring Light Kit

Razer Ring Light Kit

What Is the Best Lighting For Zoom Calls?

Before we look at some of the details of our recommended lights, here’s a summary of all our choices. We’ve also included a helpful guide to setting up lighting for Zoom meetings at the end of the article.

Our Top Pick

Lume Cube 18″ LED Ring Light Kit

Lume Cube 18″ LED Ring Light Kit

• Bright, adjustable LED light
• Compact and lightweight
• Easy to use and install
• Includes adjustable phone holder
• Ideal for professional quality selfies and videos

Most Comprehensive Kit

Neewer 18″ Ring Light Kit

Neewer 18″ Ring Light Kit

• Wired and wireless remote control
• Stepless dimming
• Three different lighting modes
• Multiple mounting options
• Runs by power adapter or rechargable batteries

Best Lightweight Kit

Razer Ring Light Kit

Razer Ring Light Kit

• Bright and adjustable lighting
• USB-powered
• Compact and lightweight
• Easy to use
• Adjustable tripod stand

Best for Laptop Calls

Lume Cube Kit

Lume Cube Kit

• Compact, powerful lighting kit
• Adjustable brightness and color temp
• Waterproof and dustproof
• Includes two Lume Cubes and accessories
• Wireless control via app

Best Ring Light for Phones

Neewer 10″ RGB Ring Light Kit

Neewer 10″ RGB Ring Light Kit

• 10-inch adjustable ring light with 160 RGB colors
• Three lighting modes for different effects
• Adjustable brightness and color temperature
• 360-degree rotatable phone holder and tripod stand
• USB powered, compatible with most devices

Best Tabletop Light

Rotolight NEO 2 LED Ring Light Kit

Rotolight NEO 2 LED Ring Light Kit

• Bright and adjustable LED lights
• Up to 10 levels of dimming
• 360-degree rotation for easy angles
• Universal phone holder included
• Lightweight and portable design

Best for Long-Term Use

Neewer Bi-Color LED Kit

Neewer Bi-Color LED Kit

• Bright and adjustable lighting
• Professional-grade quality
• Includes both softbox and reflectors
• Easy to set up and use
• Multi-angle lighting options

Best Folding Ring Light

Dracast Halo Plus LED Ring Light Kit

Dracast Halo Plus LED Ring Light Kit

• Professional-grade LED lighting
• Adjustable color temperature (2,500-9,900K)
• Adjustable brightness (0-100%)
• Compact and lightweight design
• Includes carrying case and power supply

Best Pocket-Sized Light

Manfrotto Lumimuse 8 Bluetooth LED

Manfrotto Lumimuse 8 Bluetooth LED

• Compact and lightweight design
• Rechargeable battery for up to 3.5 hours of lighting
• Bluetooth enabled for remote control and dimming
• Offers eight levels of brightness
• Includes diffuser, cold shoe mount, and pouch

Choosing the Best Lighting for Zoom Calls

First, consider if you’ll be setting the light up at home or need portability. Some of these lights slip easily into your laptop bag. This makes them perfect if you’ll be making calls in hotel rooms.

Others have main power only and substantial tripods. These are ideal if you’re Zooming or YouTubing on a more regular basis.

1. Lume Cube 18-inch LED Ring Light Kit

Brand	Brand LUME CUBE
Color Temperature	Color Temperature 3,200 to 5,600K
Power	Power Main and battery
Mounting Options	Mounting Options Camera, phone, and GoPro
Key Features	Key Features Supplied with tripod and carry bag
Best For	Best For Indoor and outdoor Zoom calls

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Lume Cube 18″ LED Ring Light Kit

Lume Cube

$199.99

Buy Now!

This Lume Cube 18-inch wireless LED is the ultimate ring light kit for Zoom meetings. It offers flatteringly diffused light and beautiful catchlights (or “doughnuts” at close range). But it’s not cheap.

It works best as a standalone solution rather than part of a three-point lighting system. And you can use it for other purposes, like streaming, vlogging, professional headshots, or even makeup tutorials.

It has an 18-inch diameter. But there’s also a cheaper 12-inch version. You get a bicolor temperature range of 3,200 to 5,600K to balance the ambient light. And it has an excellent CRI rating of 97+.

The controls are nice and simple. One knob sets the brightness, color temperature, and remaining battery. There’s also an LED readout to check the settings.

The head is adjustable. So you can rotate it 360 degrees and tilt it 180 degrees. But the plastic mounting bracket is a bit flimsy to work horizontally for too long. And take precautions outdoors as the rig isn’t weather-sealed.

It does come with a 6.5 ft (198 cm) stand. And mounts are provided for smartphones, GoPros, and digital cameras up to 10 lb (4.5 kg). You can even use the supplied shoe to add a microphone that weighs up to 2 lb (907 g).

The Lume Cube 18-inch LED Ring Light runs off plug-in power. Or you can use two NP-F750 lithium-ion batteries that work up to 1.5 hours at full brightness. And they’re pretty cheap batteries if you want to travel with a few spares!

2. Neewer 18-inch Ring Light

Brand	Brand Neewer
Color Temperature	Color Temperature 3,200 to 5,600K
Power	Power Main
Mounting Options	Mounting Options Phone and camera
Key Features	Key Features Remote control, tripod with gooseneck
Best For	Best For Adding some fun effects to your zoom call

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Neewer 18″ Ring Light Kit

Amazon

$88.99

Buy Now!

The Neewer 18-inch RGB Ring Light is a recently updated model. It offers a CRI rating of 97+ and stepless dimming. The 240 LEDs are set in a reflective silvered background, which helps to add a touch of glamor to your photos.

The stand is a generous 61 inches (155 cm). There’s also a soft gooseneck tube that fits on top. It measures 10 inches (25 cm) and is flexible. So you can twist and bend it into the optimal position. This means you should be able to find the optimum height for sitting or standing subjects.

There is a ball head with a cold shoe mount for digital cameras. And there’s a phone mount. Both sit in the center of the ring light. This Neewer ring light runs via plug-in power.

3. Razer Ring Light Kit

Brand	Brand Razer
Color Temperature	Color Temperature 3,000 to 6,500K
Power	Power USB
Mounting Options	Mounting Options Phone and camera
Key Features	Key Features Wired remote, tripod
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for a budget ring light

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Razer Ring Light Kit

Amazon

$60.00 $79.99

Buy Now!

Ring lights are perfect for Zoom calls. And the Razer Ring Light Kit is one of the best and most affordable. The 12-inch model is large enough to remove most unwanted shadows.

It comes with a sturdy tripod and a wired remote. Plus, it has a mounting bracket to support a mirrorless camera or small DSLR in the center of the ring light.

The ring light is well-diffused. You can use the remote to adjust the brightness from 10 to 100%. And the CRI rating is also over 80+, which isn’t bad.

You can switch between three different color temperatures. These offer a range of colors:

• Warm White (3,000K)
• Balanced White (4,500K)
• Cool White (6,500K)

Power comes through a USB connection. This means the Razer is not as strong as lights powered by a main power supply. But it offers 500 lumens of brightness and 10 watts of power. And you can also connect it to your laptop or a power bank for extra flexibility.

The head of the tripod rotates. So you can turn the Razer ring light to face horizontally or vertically during Zoom meetings. And the tripod height ranges from 15.8 to 53.2 inches (40 to 135 cm).

4. Lume Cube Kit

Brand	Brand LUME CUBE
Color Temperature	Color Temperature 3,200 to 5,600K
Power	Power Rechargeable battery, USB
Mounting Options	Mounting Options Suction cup
Key Features	Key Features Attaches to laptop lid
Best For	Best For Anyone needing a compact, go-anywhere light

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Lume Cube Kit

Amazon

$69.28 $80.00

Buy Now!

Lume Cube

$99.99

Buy Now!

The Lume Cube video conference lighting kit consists of the following:

• A Lume Cube Panel Mini light
• A suction cup mount
• A white silicon diffuser
• A USB Type-C charging cable with USB-A to USB-C adapter

The controls are straightforward. It has a blue power button and an adjustment dial to change the brightness and white balance.

It has a 3,200 to 5,600K adjustable color temperature with a 96+ CRI. And you can control the brightness from 1 to 100%.

The LCD screen shows you the settings and remaining battery life. But it’s a shame this is on the rear of the panel. You can’t monitor everything directly during Zoom calls.

It’s very light and compact, though. And it’s a versatile solution to desktop lighting for Zoom calls. The suction cup mount lets you attach it to any convenient flat surface. This might be the side of a desk, a laptop cover, or even the back of a tablet.

But you must ensure it doesn’t overlap an edge, or it might fall off. There’s a latch you can press down to make sure the connection is solid.

There’s no stand included. But you can buy a stand separately from Lume Cube and attach it using the standard 1/4-inch thread.

This Lume Cube lighting kit has a built-in battery for 1.2 hours of use at full power. Or you can use it for 2.2 hours at half power. But you can also use the USB cable via a port in your laptop or a separate power bank.

5. Neewer 10-inch RGB Ring Light Kit

Brand	Brand Neewer
Color Temperature	Color Temperature 29 RGB color modes
Power	Power USB
Mounting Options	Mounting Options Two phone mounts
Key Features	Key Features Wired and wireless remote, tripod, gooseneck, and stand-mount phone clamps
Best For	Best For Adding some fun lighting to your video

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Neewer 10″ RGB Ring Light Kit

Amazon.de

$28.49

Buy Now!

Amazon

$29.99

Buy Now!

Amazon.es

$29.49

Buy Now!

Amazon.it

$29.99

Buy Now!

Amazon.sg

$130.56

Buy Now!

Amazon.com.au

$141.65

Buy Now!

Amazon.sa

$391.77

Buy Now!

If you do most of your Zoom calls on your smartphone, the Neewer 10-inch RGB Ring Light Kit is a good option. It has two smartphone holders and is compatible with most popular models up to 4.4 lb (2 kg).

It comes with a 10-inch ring light with a tripod stand. There are 16 dimmable colors, 10 levels of brightness, and 4 lighting modes:

• Flash
• Strobe
• Fade
• Smooth

You can control the ring light with your phone via Bluetooth. Or you can use wireless and infrared remote controls. These work up to the maximum operating range of 26 ft (8 m).

The tripod lets you work at heights of 15.7 to 54 inches (40 to 137 cm). And it folds it down to just 16.5 inches (42 cm).

This Neewer 10-inch ring light is USB-powered. This means you can plug it into your laptop, a power bank, or any device with a USB port.

6. Rotolight NEO 2 LED Ring Light Kit

Brand	Brand Rotolight
Color Temperature	Color Temperature 3,150 to 6,300K
Power	Power Battery
Mounting Options	Mounting Options Standalone unit
Key Features	Key Features Mini desk-tripod included, hot-shoe mount
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for a stable, compact desktop lighting solution

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Rotolight NEO 2 LED Ring Light Kit

Amazon

$299.00

Buy Now!

This Rotolight video conferencing kit is a little expensive. But it includes a Rotolight NEO 2, a desktop tripod, a 360-degree ball head, and a four-piece set of diffusion filters.

The NEO 2 is a no-flicker, fully dimmable ring light. It has a color temperature range from 3,150 to 6,300K. The maximum output is 2,000 lux at 3 ft (0.9 m).

Apart from the power button, the only controls are two plastic knobs. These can be pressed and turned to adjust the brightness and color temperature. To access the main menu, you press both knobs together. All the options and settings show up on a red display.

You can also mount it as a flashgun in a camera’s hot shoe. It works in high-speed sync mode at up to 1/8000 s with no recycling time.

The Rotolight runs on six AA batteries (Li-ion or NiMh). They last up to two hours, which works for short Zoom meetings.

7. Neewer Bi-Color LED Kit

Brand	Brand Neewer
Color Temperature	Color Temperature 3,200 to 5,600K
Power	Power Main or optional battery packs
Mounting Options	Mounting Options Standalone unit
Key Features	Key Features Sturdy metal construction, carry bag
Best For	Best For Semi-permanent installation

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Neewer Bi-Color LED Kit

Amazon

$88.49

Buy Now!

This Neewer Bi-color LED Kit has a dimmable light panel with a 96+ CRI rating. It has a color temperature range from 3,200 to 5,600K. And it’s a powerful light source that can generate 3,360 lux. 

The aluminum alloy construction makes it sturdy yet lightweight. The control panel is at the rear, consisting of a power switch and two dials. One dial is for the yellow bulbs, and one is for the white ones.

It runs off plug-in power using the AC adapter. Or you can buy two Sony NP-F550 or NP-F970 Li-ion batteries. They fit in the slots at the back.

Unfortunately, this Neewer Bi-color kit only comes with a U-mount bracket rather than a stand. So you have to buy a stand separately. And it has a diffuser, but it’s a bit tricky to put on.

The power cable is also a bit short if your workspace doesn’t have a nearby power socket. But it’s well worth considering as a long-term solution for lighting for Zoom calls.

8. Dracast Halo Plus LED Ring Light Kit

Brand	Brand Dracast
Color Temperature	Color Temperature 2,700 to 5,600K
Power	Power USB
Mounting Options	Mounting Options Phone, camera
Key Features	Key Features Foldable stand, touch-sensitive slider control
Best For	Best For Taking a compact light with you everywhere

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Dracast Halo Plus LED Ring Light Kit

Amazon

$69.00

Buy Now!

The Dracast Halo Plus Kit has a neat, portable ring light. The light itself folds in two, making it easier to carry. And the tripod has a gooseneck holder to help you position your phone easily. There’s also a hot shoe mount if you don’t want to use the tripod.

Bi-color LEDS mean you can adjust the temperature of the light. Touch-sensitive sliders on the side of the unit adjust color temperature and brightness.

Power is via a USB cable. It isn’t the brightest of lights. But it’s easily powered by various sources.

The Dracast has a CRI of 96+, making it a great choice for natural color rendition. And at this price, you’ll find the Dracast a tempting option.

9. Manfrotto Lumimuse 8 Bluetooth LED

Brand	Brand Manfrotto
Color Temperature	Color Temperature 5,600K
Power	Power Rechargeable battery
Mounting Options	Mounting Options Standalone unit
Key Features	Key Features Built-in Bluetooth, can be tripod-mounted
Best For	Best For Anyone needing a compact, bright light for occasional use

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Manfrotto Lumimuse 8 Bluetooth LED

Amazon

$126.79 $140.88

Buy Now!

The Manfrotto Lumimuse 8 LED has a rounded, rectangular body. And it is light and portable if you need to make Zoom calls on the go.

The light source consists of eight LEDs in a circular pattern. They generate a maximum of 550 lux. This means it’s a bright light for Zoom meetings.

It has a fixed color temperature of 5,600K. But two snap-on Color Temperature Orange (CTO) filters allow you to adjust this. There’s also a diffuser. And you can buy other filters separately.

The light has built-in Bluetooth. And you can control it using an Apple app. Or you can use the button on the side to cycle through the four dimming levels.

There’s no stand. But there’s a 1/4-inch threaded mounting hole on the ball head. So you can attach it to any of the stands in Manfrotto’s range or a third-party product.

It runs off an internal, rechargeable, lithium-ion polymer battery for around an hour. There’s a USB cable so that you can recharge it. But the Lumimuse 8 takes three hours to recharge, and you can’t use it while charging.

FAQs for Setting Up Zoom Meetings Lights

What kind of light is best for Zoom calls? And should the light be in front or behind for Zoom? Here are answers to the most asked questions about how to set up lights for Zoom meetings. We also go over how to improve lighting for Zoom calls.

Should I Use a Ring Light or a Panel Light?

Either is fine, but it’s important to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Both are LED lights. But the shape makes all the difference.

The idea behind a ring light is to center yourself right in front of it. This means it’s almost impossible for shadows to be on your face. That’s because they are filled in by the light coming from all sides.

But if you place it right in front of your face, there will be nasty highlights. And it may make you squint!

A panel light might cast shadows if it’s too small or not diffused. But those are factors in your control. It’s also likely that a panel light will be smaller and more portable than a ring light. This might be important if you do a lot of traveling for work.

How High Should the Light Be?

The best result comes from a light roughly at the same level as your hairline. This means the light is pointing slightly down toward you.

If the light is too low, you get a spooky “Halloween effect” with lots of shadows. If it’s too high, you again get shadows. But this time, it’s under your nose, chin… and perhaps even eyelashes!

At What Angle Should I Place the Light?

The light should be off to one side—up to 45 degrees to your left or right. This creates “dimensionality.” This means slight shadows show the three-dimensional quality of the subject.

Here are problems with other possible positions:

• A light right in front of you makes you squint. It might also create ugly and distracting reflections if you wear glasses.
• Light at 90 degrees creates the deepest, darkest shadows on the opposite side of your face.
• Light directly behind you only provides rim lighting. It lights the edges of your hair but leaves your face completely dark.

How Big Should the Light Be?

The bigger the light source, the softer the light. Soft light is important because it casts fewer, gentler shadows on your face. This means it’s more flattering.

The size of the light is linked to how far away it is. As you bring the light nearer and nearer, it appears to get bigger and bigger. This means the light gets softer and softer (and vice versa).

How Strong Should the Light Be?

The light must be strong enough so the other people on the call can see your face properly. But it should not be so strong that you look washed out.

Fortunately, almost all the lights on this list let you smoothly adjust the brightness from 1 to 100%. So you can play around with it until it’s just right.

What Does Color Temperature Mean?

Broadly, the color temperature (or white balance) tells you how “warm” or “cool” the light is. It’s measured in Kelvin (K). And this is degrees centigrade above absolute zero.

Color temperature is measured on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000K. Most light bulbs and LEDs fall somewhere between 2,000 and 6,000K:

• 2,000 to 3,000K: Warm white light that ranges from orange to yellow-white.
• 3,100 to 4,500K: Cool white or bright white light that’s broadly neutral or slightly blueish.
• 4,600K+: Daylight on a cloudy day that’s blue-white.

Color temperature is the temperature of a heated metal object that gives off a certain color of light. The higher the temperature of the metal, the less yellow and bluer the light will be. Funnily enough, that means warmer light is given off by cooler metal!

Should I Use Natural Light?

Daylight is a great starting point for a home office setup. Sitting in front of a window gives you nice, soft, natural lighting from the outside.

But ensure you don’t get direct sunlight, which will cause harsh shadows. You might need to pull the blinds down or close the curtains if you have them.

The downside of relying on daylight is it limits when you can take part in calls! Late evenings are out. And it gets dark a lot earlier in winter. So you may not even have enough light during a normal working day.

Why Are LEDs Good?

LEDs are the most suitable type of light currently on the market. This is because it can mimic the high color temperature of daylight. Fluorescent tubes and tungsten bulbs both have color casts. And they’re less controllable.

How Many Lights Do I Need?

The more lights you have, the better your lighting setup will be. At first, starting with just one light is fine. But you might want to add more over time. Most studio photographers would recommend three-point lighting:

• Key Light: The main and strongest light. It’s usually placed slightly above and around 45 degrees to one side of the subject.
• Fill light: The secondary and weaker light. It’s normally placed on the other side of the subject at eye level and at a similar angle. It’s there to fill in and soften shadows cast by the key light.
• Backlight: This is the third light that points at the head of the subject from behind. It’s supposed to add some highlights to the hair.

You can also add a background light to illuminate the background for Zoom meetings.

Conclusion: The Best Lighting For Zoom Calls

Lighting your Zoom call can make all the difference in how others perceive you. Many of us have video calls as a part of our work. That’s why getting the lighting right for meetings is important. The added professionalism of good lighting could even mean a raise!

We think the Lume Cube 18-inch Ring Light Kit is the best choice for raising the quality of your video calls. It has flattering light with excellent color rendering. Plus, it runs on batteries if you need a backup power system or need to use it without a main power supply.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Lighting For Zoom Calls

Lume Cube 18″ LED Ring Light Kit

Lume Cube 18″ LED Ring Light Kit

Neewer 18″ Ring Light Kit

Neewer 18″ Ring Light Kit

Razer Ring Light Kit

Razer Ring Light Kit

The Razer Kiyo Pro HD is the best webcam for Mac right now. It gives you high-definition footage with a super-smooth 60 fps frame rate. It’s the ideal solution for conference calls, remote work, and live streaming.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Webcam For Mac

Razer Kiyo Pro HD Webcam

Razer Kiyo Pro HD Webcam

Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam

Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam

Elgato Facecam HD Webcam

Elgato Facecam HD Webcam

What is the Best Webcam For Mac?

The best Mac webcam has to meet your needs. The best webcam for a team leader working remotely might not be the same as a webcam for professional streaming. Thankfully, there is a wide range of webcams for Macs available. The trick is finding the right one for you.

Video resolution and frame rate are the two most important specs when looking for a webcam for Mac. The field of view is another aspect your need to consider. And you need to think about how to mount the webcam. We have more information in our buyer’s guide below if you need it.

First, we’ll take a quick look at all the Mac webcams on our list. The next section looks at each webcam in detail. Then we have a buyer’s guide with more technical information. Then there’s a bonus section helping you set up your webcam for Mac.

Our Top Choice

Razer Kiyo Pro HD Webcam

Razer Kiyo Pro HD Webcam

• High definition 1080p video with a 60 fps frame rate
• Variable field of view settings
• Adjustable clip for easy mounting
• Compatible with most streaming apps including Zoom, YouTube, FaceTime, and Twitch
• Face-tracking autofocus features

Best Logitech

Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam

Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam

• 1080p/30fps streaming
• Built-in autofocus and light correction
• Background replacement technology
• Compatible with iMac and MacBook computers
• Includes tripod and 6-month XSplit license

Best For Low Light

Elgato Facecam HD Webcam

Elgato Facecam HD Webcam

• High-definition 1080p resolution
• Built-in stereo microphone
• Facecam Hub software has extra features for more pro streaming
• Automatic low-light correction
• Compact and lightweight design

Best 4K Webcam

Logitech Brio 4K Webcam

Logitech Brio 4K Webcam

• 4K Ultra HD video quality
• Offers high frame rate of up to 90 fps
• RightLight 3 technology for clear images in any light
• Built-in 5x digital zoom
• Compatible with Windows and Mac OS

Best Plug and Play Webcam

AUSDOM AW651 Full HD Webcam

AUSDOM AW651 Full HD Webcam

• 2K and high definition 1080p video
• Built-in stereo microphone
• Plug and play, no drivers needed
• Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Android
• Rotatable clip a d tripod stand

Best Built-in Lighting

Razer Kiyo HD Webcam with Ring Light

Razer Kiyo HD Webcam with Ring Light

• 1080p HD video for clear visuals
• Built-in ring light for flattering lighting
• Adjustable brightness for any environment
• Compact and portable for easy transport
• Works with all popular streaming software

Best Adventure Webcam

GoPro Hero10 Black

GoPro Hero10 Black

• Full HD video for live streaming
• 23 MP photos when used as a standard camera
• Waterproof up to 33ft / 10m
• Advanced image stabilization
• Voice control for hands-free operation

Best Frame Rate Webcam

Logitech StreamCam

Logitech StreamCam

• 1080p / 60 fps video quality
• Built-in stereo mics for directional sound recording
• Flexible mounting options
• Automatically adjusts exposure/white balance
• USB-C connection for easy setup

Best Noise-Reduction Webcam

Anker PowerConf C300 Smart Webcam

Anker PowerConf C300 Smart Webcam

• 1080p HD video quality
• Crystal clear audio with noise-reduction technology
• Field of view auto-adjust feature
• Hands-free autofocus feature
• Plug-and-play setup with no additional software

Best Stereo-Mic Webcam

EMEET Jupiter Full HD Webcam

EMEET Jupiter Full HD Webcam

• Crystal clear audio and video
• 360-degree voice pickup for directional sound recording
• Compatible with various platforms
• Easy to set up and use
• Adjustable field of view

Best Tilting-Head Webcam

Kensington W2000 Full HD Webcam

Kensington W2000 Full HD Webcam

• Full HD resolution for clear images
• Built-in dual microphones for clear audio
• Compatible with Windows and Mac
• Plug-and-play setup for easy installation
• Wide-angle lens for capturing more of the scene

Best Tripod with Mini Tripod

Hrayzan Full HD Webcam

Hrayzan Full HD Webcam

• 1080p HD video quality
• Autofocus and low-light correction
• 360-degree rotation and adjustable clip
• Built-in dual stereo microphones
• Compatible with multiple platforms

Best Budget Webcam

Wansview 1080p Webcam with Microphone

Wansview 1080p Webcam with Microphone

• 1080p HD resolution
• Built-in dual microphones
• Plug-and-play setup with USB connection
• Compatible with Mac and PC computers
• Wide-angle lens for larger view

Best For Video Calls

Logitech C930e HD Webcam

Logitech C930e HD Webcam

• HD video quality for clear visuals
• Pan, tilt, and zoom for flexible viewing
• Built-in microphone for crisp audio
• RightLight™ 2 technology for optimal lighting
• Compatible with Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, etc

Best Specialist Gaming Webcam

AVerMedia PW513 Live Streamer CAM

AVerMedia PW513 Live Streamer CAM

• 1080p / 60 fps resolution for high-quality game streaming
• Built-in ring light for perfect lighting
• Microphone and headphone ports for sound control
• Tripod mount for easy setup
• Plug-and-play for fast streaming

The Best Webcam for Mac in 2023

There’s no problem if you have a Macbook or an iMac. We have plenty of options for both. And we have a variety of different webcams to suit every need. Whether it’s conference calls, streaming, or vlogs, we have all the best Mac webcams.

1. Razer Kiyo Pro HD Webcam

Brand	Brand Razer
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 60 fps
Field of View	Field of View 80 to 103 degrees
Connection	Connection USB 3
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Auto light correction, HDR mode, face tracking AF
Best For	Best For Conference calls, live streaming, game streaming, vlogging

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Razer Kiyo Pro HD Webcam

Amazon

$89.95 $199.99

Buy Now!

The Razer Kiyo Pro tops our list of the best Mac webcams. It’s compact and discreet. And it gives you professional-quality video. You’ll look like a consummate professional on your next video call with your associates. And you’ll gain more viewers at your next live streaming event.

It gives you Full HD (1080p) video quality for a clear transmission on conference calls. And it films with a frame rate of 60 fps. That gives you super-smooth recording with no lagging or jerks. It’ll clip onto anything that’s a similar size to a laptop screen. And it’s easy to adjust for the perfect angle.

The Razer Kiyo Pro adapts to your lighting conditions. It’ll change to a brighter setting if natural light is low. And it’ll dim down if it’s too bright. The automatic light correction operates when you’re recording. It’s a specialist in low light, reducing graininess for optimal quality in all conditions.

You can adjust the field of view to meet your needs. The range goes from 80 to 103 degrees, giving you plenty of options. The camera also has a sophisticated autofocus system. It’ll lock onto a face and track you as you move. That’s handy for the impassioned speakers out there. There’s also a high dynamic range (HDR) mode for extra clarity. But you need to drop down to 30 fps to use this feature.

You can purchase the Razer Kiyo Pro webcam with different accessory combos.

2. Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam

Brand	Brand Logitech
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 30 / 60 fps
Field of View	Field of View 78 degrees
Connection	Connection USB-A
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Built-in stereo speakers, tracking AF, light detection
Best For	Best For Conference calls, live streaming, vlogging

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Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam

Amazon

$94.75 $99.99

Buy Now!

The Logitech C922x Pro is the best Mac webcam for Zoom meetings and general webcam use. It’ll give you crisp and clear video chats. And it’ll boost your professionalism for those important business calls. The Logitech C922x Pro is a versatile dedicated webcam for all Mac users.

The Logitech C922x Pro gives you Full HD resolution. And that’s 1080p picture quality shot at 30 fps. You’ll look fantastic on video apps and streaming platforms. You also have the option of 60 fps for smoother footage. But that’s only available when filming in standard HD video (720p).

You don’t need to fork out on additional audio equipment. The Logitech C922x Pro has two built-in microphones for stereo sound recording. That gives you high-quality audio without external microphones or headsets.

The 78-degree viewing angle gives you a wide field of view. This gives you a natural image in video conferences. It’s not too cramped or close up. This Mac webcam also has an autofocus system to keep you in focus. You can move your head while you speak and the camera will keep your face in focus. The light correction system also keeps you perfectly exposed when the light changes.

The Logitech C922x Pro connects to your Mac with a USB-A cable. You don’t need any additional Mac software. And it clips onto your computer or laptop screen. It’s a high-quality webcam for any conference call or business meeting.

3. Elgato Facecam HD Webcam

Brand	Brand Elgato
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 60 fps
Field of View	Field of View 82 degrees
Connection	Connection USB 3.0 / USB-C
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Wide f/2.8 aperture, reliable AF, Facecam Hub software
Best For	Best For Conference calls, live streaming

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Elgato Facecam HD Webcam

Amazon

$129.99

Buy Now!

The Elgato Facecam is one of the best Mac webcams for streaming apps. It’s small, but it gives you fantastic picture quality. And the advanced features make it a popular choice with pro streamers. You can also use it for high-level video conferencing.

The Facecam offers Full HD video with a 60 fps frame rate. That’s high-quality video with super-smooth playback. It’ll look fantastic on any social media platform. There’s no video compression so the footage is free of artifacts and pixelation.

The camera lens quality is very high for a webcam. And it has a wide maximum aperture of f/2.4. That gives you outstanding low-light performance so your face is always illuminated. The autofocus feature also works well and keeps you in focus even when you move.

You’ll need the Elgato Camera Hub app to get the most out of the Facecam. It gives you excellent camera control. You can change the field of view and exposure settings. And you can adjust contrast and saturation. The Camera Hub allows you to get the type of shot you want. It’s ideal if you’re building a brand on social media.

4. Logitech Brio 4K Webcam

Brand	Brand Logitech
Video Resolution	Video Resolution 4K (2160p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 30, 60, 90 fps
Field of View	Field of View 90 degrees
Connection	Connection USB-A / USB-C
Other Key Features	Other Key Features 5x HD zoom, noise reduction microphone, auto light adjustment
Best For	Best For High-quality streaming, game streaming, conference calls, presentations, vlogging

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Logitech Brio 4K Webcam

Amazon

$134.95 $199.99

Buy Now!

The Logitech Brio Ultra HD Pro gives you the best video quality of any Mac webcam. The 4K quality makes it perfect for serious video game streaming. It’s ideal for livestreaming on YouTube, Twitch, or Instagram. And remote professionals will see the Logitech Brio as a worthy investment.

The Logitech Brio gives you 4K resolution for excellent image quality. The frame rate is limited to 30 fps when recording video in 4K. That’s smooth enough for most Mac users. But you can change the resolution settings to open up more frame rate options. You get 60 fps in Full HD. Or you can go to HD resolution for a 90 fps frame rate. That gives you plenty to play with.

The optical quality of the lens is very high. It has a wide 90-degree viewing angle. And it gives you a 5x HD zoom to help you frame the perfect shot. It also has automatic light adjustment. This keeps you perfectly exposed in changing conditions.

The Logitech Brio is armed with two omnidirectional noise-reduction microphones. They give you stereo sound recording. And they cancel out background noise so everyone can hear your voice loud and clear.

The Logitech Brio is pricier than many other webcams. But it gives you unparalleled quality. It’s a professional piece of kit for your Mac. And it’s one of the best Mac webcams for high-standard streaming.

You can see our full list of the best 4K webcams by clicking the link

5. AUSDOM AW651 Full HD Webcam

Brand	Brand AUSDOM
Video Resolution	Video Resolution 2K
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 30, 60 fps
Field of View	Field of View 75 degrees
Connection	Connection USB-A
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Noise-reduction dual microphones, tracking AF
Best For	Best For Conference calls, video calls

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AUSDOM AW651 Full HD Webcam

The Ausdom AW651 combines quality with affordability. It offers excellent value for money. But you’ll also see a marked improvement in your conference and video calls. It’s one of the best Mac webcams if you’re working from home.

The AW651 gives you 2K image quality. 2K isn’t very common in any device. But it sits between Full HD and 4K for picture quality. That means you’re getting a bright image with excellent detail. There’s very little video compression.

The 2K video operates at 30 fps. You also have the option of 60 fps when shooting in Full HD. For many, the extra smoothness is worth the drop in quality. And even in Full HD, you’re getting high-quality video.

The lens gives you a bright 75-degree field of view. Ausdom chose that angle specifically for conference calls and Zoom meetings. The autofocus is fast and reactive to changes. And the camera has dual mics for stereo sound recording. They reduce background noise to make sure you’re heard loud and clear.

You don’t need any additional software for this Mac webcam. That saves you time. But it means you have to change the settings in the video app you’re using.

6. Razer Kiyo HD Webcam with Ring Light

Brand	Brand Razer
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 30 fps
Field of View	Field of View 90 degrees
Connection	Connection USB 2.0
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Built-in ring light, built-in microphone
Best For	Best For Vlogging, video Calls

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Razer Kiyo HD Webcam with Ring Light

Amazon

$47.99 $99.99

Buy Now!

The Razer Kiyo is an all-in-one webcam for Mac. It gives you everything you need to thrive on the most popular video services. You get sound, light, and high-resolution video. It’s popular with streamers of all kinds.

The Full HD video is fantastic. And the 30 fps frame rate gives you smooth and professional footage. You also get an extra smooth 60 fps at 720p. It has the performance for gaming, live streaming, and work meetings.

Much of the Razer Kiyo’s popularity comes from the built-in ring light. It gives you 5600k power illumination. The light has been balanced to emulate daylight. And it gives you even face lighting with no additional equipment.

The Razer Kiyo also has a built-in mic for audio recording. It’s a complete webcam setup in one. And it has a fold-away design for easy storage. It’s no surprise the Razer Kiyo is so popular with social media stars. The Razer Kiyo is perfect for vlogs, makeup tutorials, and TikToks. You’ll be able to video chat with your friends and colleagues too.

7. GoPro Hero10 Black

Brand	Brand GoPro
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 30 fps
Field of View	Field of View 73 degrees
Connection	Connection USB
Other Key Features	Other Key Features 5.2K Video recording, 23 MP photos, waterproof, built-in stabilization
Best For	Best For Adventure and travel vlogging, live streaming, extreme sports videos

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GoPro Hero10 Black

Amazon

$2.99

Buy Now!

Adorama

$399.00

Buy Now!

KEH

(second hand)

$332.79

Buy Now!

You might be surprised to see the GoPro Hero 10 on our list. A GoPro is an action camera. It isn’t a dedicated webcam for Mac. But the GoPro Hero 10 can be used as a webcam for Macs. And it’s a good one. It’s a popular choice with many content creators.

The streaming resolution is 1080p, so it can compete with other dedicated webcams. And it’s a multimedia creation tool. You can record videos in stunning 5.3K. It also has a time-lapse feature. And there’s an image stabilizer to reduce camera shake. You can also take still photos with 23 MP image quality.

The GoPro has a good aperture range, so it’s a good webcam for all lighting conditions. And there’s a built-in mic for sound. But you will need something to mount it on.

You’ll need the GoPro Webcam software on your Mac. Watch this video to get your GoPro setup as a Webcam for Mac.

8. Logitech StreamCam

Brand	Brand Logitech for Creators
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 60 fps
Field of View	Field of View 78 degrees
Connection	Connection USB-C
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Auto exposure settings, auto framing, built-in microphone
Best For	Best For Conference calls, streaming, vlogging

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Logitech StreamCam

Amazon

$125.99 $169.99

Buy Now!

As you might guess from the name, the Logitech Streamcam is one of the best webcams for streaming apps. It’s a huge step up from standard Macbook webcams. And it’s ideally suited to YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram. It’ll also make you the most professional employee in your next Zoom meeting.

Full HD at 60 fps makes the Streamcam a contender for the best Mac webcam. It doesn’t have the best resolution on the list. But the quality and frame rate combine to make it a must-have for streamers.

The Logitech Streamcam uses intelligent exposure to maintain the perfect light levels. It adjusts to any change in light, so you look your best at all times. It also has auto-framing that keeps your face in the center of the frame. The built-in mic is clear and records well. The Logitech Streamcam is a dream for streamers.

9. Anker PowerConf C300 Smart Webcam

Brand	Brand Anker
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 60 fps
Field of View	Field of View 115 degrees
Connection	Connection USB-C
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Noise-reduction dual microphones, field of view auto adjust
Best For	Best For Live streaming, game streaming, vlogging, conference calls

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Anker PowerConf C300 Smart Webcam

The Anker PowerConf C300 is an excellent all-around webcam for Mac. The 1080p at 60 fps footage is good enough for game streaming and professional work conferences. Teachers can also use it for remote teaching.

The dual microphones pick up clear sound. And the camera reduces excess noise from your environment to give you more clarity. It also has low-light correction programs that give you better illumination even in dark conditions.

The PowerConf C300 also has an auto-adjust field of view mechanism. It knows if you’re speaking alone or in a group. And it’ll change the angle to fit everyone in the frame.

10. EMEET Jupiter Full HD Webcam

Brand	Brand EMEET
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 60 fps
Field of View	Field of View 60 to 96 degrees
Connection	Connection USB
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Adjustable field of view, built-in stereo microphones, eMeet software
Best For	Best For Conference calls, game streaming, live streaming, vlogging

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EMEET Jupiter Full HD Webcam

The EMEET Jupiter has two built-in mics with noise-reduction technology. They give you stereo sound recording. And they cancel out unwanted background noise. They also have echo-reduction effects that help your voice carry clearly.

You need the EMEET software if you want the most out of the Jupiter webcam. The software gives you more creative control. You can adjust the field of view, change the brightness, and set audio controls. The EMEET is one of the best webcams for conference calls.

11. Kensington W2000 Full HD Webcam

Brand	Brand Kensington
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 30 fps
Field of View	Field of View 75 degrees
Connection	Connection USB-A / USB-C
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Omnidirection microphone, 2x digital zoom, tilting head
Best For	Best For Conference calls, vlogging

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Kensington W2000 Full HD Webcam

Amazon

$45.01 $59.99

Buy Now!

The Kensington W2000 is one of the best Mac webcams if you’re working from home. It delivers good-quality footage for video calls, meetings, and conferences. It’s a basic webcam. But it’s an affordable solution to your home office problems.

The 1080p resolution gives you Full HD quality. And the 30 fps frame rate ensures there are no lags or jerks. There’s no video compression, so you get a clear picture every time. You also get a 2x digital zoom. The Kensington app gives you more options with camera settings.

The camera lens gives you a 75-degree field of view. And you can tilt the camera head vertically and horizontally to get the perfect angle. The W2000 also has an omnidirectional microphone built-in. And the noise reduction technology makes sure your words are heard. The Kensington W2000 is a no-thrills Mac webcam for remote workers.

12. Hrayzan Full HD Webcam

Brand	Brand Hrayzan
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 30 fps
Field of View	Field of View 110 degrees
Connection	Connection USB 2.0
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Built-in microphone, mini tripod included
Best For	Best For Vlogging, streaming, video calls

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Hrayzan Full HD Webcam

Amazon

$19.99 $27.99

Buy Now!

The Hrayzan HD webcam is the best Mac webcam if you need an ultra-wide-angle lens. The video quality is fantastic. And it has all the specs you need for video calls and live streaming. It’s also a budget-friendly webcam for Mac.

This webcam gives you excellent Full HD video at 30 fps. But the field of view is the main selling point for this Mac webcam. It gives you an incredible 110-degree field of view. That includes more of your environment in your shot. Many streamers prefer that kind of composition.

The built-in mic provides excellent sound quality. And there’s no need for additional software. All you have to do is plug it into your Macbook and it’ll run. The camera has a clip for your computer screen. But it also comes with a mini tripod for more mounting options.

13. Wansview 1080p Webcam with Microphone

Brand	Brand wansview
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 30 fps
Field of View	Field of View 90 degrees
Connection	Connection USB 2.0
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Reliable AF, noise-reduction microphones, auto light correction
Best For	Best For Conference calls, live streaming, vlogging

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Wansview 1080p Webcam with Microphone

Amazon

$22.99

Buy Now!

The Wansview HD Webcam for Mac is a cheap and cheerful option for casual streamers. It’s a good budget option if you’re working from home. And it’ll do a good job with video calls to family and friends. It’s simple, easy, and works well.

We’ve seen 1080p quality with a 30 fps frame rate a few times now. And each time, we’ve said you’ll get excellent image quality. That’s because it’s true. And the same is true of the Wansview Mac webcam. The camera lens gives you a nice 90-degree viewing angle. And the autofocus keeps you in focus while you speak.

The camera has dual microphones with noise-reduction technology. The mics also have subject recognition. Once they know your voice, they’ll cancel out other noise. The camera also has automatic light correction for videos. It’ll keep you well-lit in dark situations. And it’ll adapt to changes automatically. You don’t have to change the camera settings manually.

14. Logitech C930e HD Webcam

Brand	Brand Logitech
Video Resolution	Video Resolution Full HD (1080p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 30 fps
Field of View	Field of View 90 degrees
Connection	Connection USB 2.0
Other Key Features	Other Key Features 4x digital zoom, stereo microphones
Best For	Best For Video calls, vlogging

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Logitech C930e HD Webcam

It’s another fantastic webcam for Mac from Logitech. It’s one of their more basic webcams. But you still get the same Logitech quality you’d expect. It’s ideal for remote work and streaming.

You won’t be disappointed with the Full HD quality shot at 30 fps. The lens gives you a 90-degree angle of view. And the C930e has a 4x digital zoom to help you get the perfect composition.

The Logitech C930e has stereo microphones for superb sound quality. And they also cancel out unwanted background noises. It has plug-and-play compatibility, so it’s easy to get started on Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime. The Logitech C930e isn’t fancy. But it delivers what you need the most.

15. AVerMedia PW513 Live Streamer CAM

Brand	Brand AVerMedia
Video Resolution	Video Resolution 4K (2160p)
Frame Rate	Frame Rate 60 fps
Field of View	Field of View 94 degrees
Connection	Connection USB 3.0 / USB-C
Other Key Features	Other Key Features Swivel mount, plug-and-play technology
Best For	Best For Game streaming, Live streaming, vlogging

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AVerMedia PW513 Live Streamer CAM

Amazon

$149.99

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The AverMedia PW513 is a perfect Mac webcam for gamers and live streamers. The quality is high-resolution 4K, so your transmission will be crisp and clear. And the 60 fps frame rate is fast enough to keep up with any computer game. It’s also Skype-compatible for keeping in touch with friends and family.

The 94-degree lens gives you a wide, environmental field of view. The camera can also swivel 360 degrees on its mount. The PW513 webcam has plug-and-play technology. Once it’s plugged into the USB-C port, it’ll work with video calls or streaming apps.

Best Webcam for Mac— Buyer’s Guide

The best Mac webcam has to meet your needs. The best webcam for a team leader working remotely might not be the same as a webcam for professional streaming. Thankfully, there is a wide range of webcams for Macs available. The trick is finding the right one for you. Here’s some information to help you replace your native webcam.

Do All Webcams Work on Macs?

No. Not all webcams on the market are compatible with Mac computers. You need to make sure the webcam you buy is Mac-compatible. Some are compatible with both PC and Mac computers. And others are only compatible with one system type.

Do Logitech webcams work with Mac? That’s another common question. And the answer is yes. And that’s a good thing because Logitech has some of the best webcams on the market. You’ll see a few of them on our list.

Video Resolution

The video resolution determines the video quality of the camera. Ideally, you want Full HD quality. That gives you a video resolution of 1080p. That’ll give you enough clarity for conference calls and video chat apps. That should be enough for casual game streaming. But professional YouTubers and Twitchers will need 4K.

720p is best avoided if you’re doing anything of a professional nature. That includes video calls for work. This quality does look dated. And it doesn’t give you much of a boost from your native Mac webcam. 720p is fine for casual video calls with family and friends. But it won’t serve you much more than that.

Frame Rate

The frame rate is measured in frames per second (fps). A faster frame rate gives you smoother video. 30 fps will serve most people well, especially with 4K video quality. But 60 fps gives you an extra smooth video. You’ll have no lagging or jerks when using the webcam. But 60 fps is rarely seen with 4K quality.

Field of View

The field of view tells you how much of the scene the camera sees. A wide field of view gives you a wide-open shot. A narrow field of view gives you a tighter, cropped shot.

A Mac webcam usually has a field of view between 60 and 90 degrees. That’s a fairly wide and open shot. But some cameras give you the option to change it. That allows you to get the perfect shot.

Webcam Mount

Many webcams have a clip for mounting on your computer. That’s a handy feature. But it doesn’t give you many framing options. You might want something less direct. Many streamers prefer a side shot or a position above their line of sight.

You can buy other mounts like tabletop tripods if you prefer. Some Mac webcams come with additional mounting options. Again, how you mount your webcam depends on what you’re using the camera for.

Setting Up Your Mac Webcam

Setting up a new tech device can put some people in a cold sweat. But setting up your Mac webcam doesn’t have to be like that. In fact, it’s easy. Whether you’re using a Logitech or a Razer webcam, there’s an easy setup process. We’ll give you some tips on how to get set up and get the best results.

Mac Webcam Setup

Many of you will be happy to hear you don’t need to install software to use a new webcam for Mac. Simply connect your webcam to your Mac computer using the cable provided. This is usually a USB cable. But some webcams now use a USB-C cable. Most webcams use the computer as a power source, so you won’t need other power cables.

Once connected, open a video conferencing app like Zoom or FaceTime. Go to the video settings and you’ll see your webcam listed as one of the camera options. Select the webcam and the app will change to the camera’s view. You’ll see the jump in image quality straight away.

If you still need to know how to use a Logitech webcam on Mac, watch this video. You can also get the Logitech Capture video software if you need more creative options.

Audio Settings

If your webcam doesn’t have a built-in microphone, the computer will continue to use its native mic. That doesn’t give you the best audio quality. If the webcam has a microphone, go to the app’s audio settings and select the webcam.

Webcam microphones don’t produce the best audio. That’s no problem for casual video calls. But professionals and streamers might want a better microphone. You can get a microphone as part of a headphone set. The Logitech H930 is an excellent choice. Or you can get a standalone mic for premium sound quality. The Rode Podcaster is popular with podcasters and streamers.

Using Lights with Your Webcam

Not everyone needs additional lighting for their Mac webcam. If you’re in a bright room with plenty of natural light, you’ll have no problem with video calls. But if you’re struggling for light, you might need some extra. The glow from your computer can be unflattering. And professionals and streamers need to look their best.

We’ve listed a couple of webcams that have built-in lights. This is handy for conference calls. But you still might need something more powerful. Ring lights are very popular with content creators of all kinds.

A ring light gives you an even brightness that removes shadows on the face. You can see our top ring lights here. You can also see our list of LED lights if you want something funkier.

Conclusion: The Best Webcam For Mac

The best webcam for Mac in 2023 is the Razer Kiyo Pro Webcam. Its high-definition video quality and wide-angle lens make it a fantastic webcam for Mac computers. It’s also easy to set up and use and offers great value for money.

There are plenty of other great webcams you can use with your Mac computer. There are high-resolution 4K webcams for professional conference calling and streaming. You can find high frame-rate cameras for video game streaming. And we’ve included basic options for Skype and FaceTime calls. Everyone can find the perfect webcam for Mac.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Webcam For Mac

Razer Kiyo Pro HD Webcam

Razer Kiyo Pro HD Webcam

Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam

Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam

Elgato Facecam HD Webcam

Elgato Facecam HD Webcam