You’ve probably seen some YouTubers saying you can make big bucks by uploading lots of AI photos to stock photography sites like Adobe Stock or Shutterstock. But honestly, is it really that simple?
After doing research into this side hustle, I realized that it is neither simple nor worth your time, and here’s why.
First of all, many stock photo sites are already packed with boring images that don’t really wow the customers. In fact, stock images are known in the industry as the cheap, low-quality option.
Also, there is a lot of competition which makes it really hard to get your images seen. Even the traditional artists who are pros in stock photography have to put in a ton of work to make little royalties.
Some sites require model releases for photos featuring people. And there is no way to get around this issue with AI images. So, you have no choice but to create illustrations or abstract photography; which usually don’t do very well on these sites.
To make matters worse, many stock photography sites are creating their own AI image generator. So, why would someone pay for your ia image instead of generating the one that specifically fits their needs?
All of these factors put your work in a bad spot and the images you upload may not create a lot of value. In the world of business, if it’s not valuable, it’s not going to bring in much cash.
Even if you do somehow manage to create a best-selling image, you do not own the copyright to it. Anyone including the sites themselves, can replicate your photo and steal your royalties.
My advice is that this side hustle is not worth it. It’s not the gold mine it has been portrayed to be. You will spend a lot of time generating and editing photos only to get rejected or your work stolen. You should think about other creative ways to use your ai generated images to add value, instead of trying to sell them as just stock images because it has little intrinsic value.
Hi, I’m Blessing, a pro writer and graphic designer turned AI EXPERT! My passion is helping you unlock the full potential of AI tools to elevate your skills and create a successful side hustle or brand.
I skip the hype and focus on what truly works, bringing you the best tools to 10x your creativity.