We’re all looking for ways to make extra money. The idea of earning passive income while we sleep is incredibly appealing. Before I got into real estate investing, I explored several side hustles. Stock photography and drone photography were among them. These ventures taught me a lot about making money on the side, and I used some of those earnings to start my real estate portfolio.

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What is Adobe Stock?

Adobe Stock is a platform where you can buy and sell royalty-free images, videos, and other creative content. Buyers use these assets for websites, social media, email marketing, and more. If you’re a creator, you can upload your work and earn money each time someone downloads it. To start selling, you’ll need to create an account and head to the “Sell” tab on the Adobe Stock website. Remember, this isn’t about Adobe’s stock price, but rather a marketplace for creative assets.

My Journey with Adobe Stock

I’ve been on Adobe Stock since 2014, even before Adobe acquired it (when it was known as Fotolia). I started by selling traditional photographs, including drone shots. Over the years, I’ve seen the platform evolve, and I’ve adapted my approach.

A Look at My Portfolio

My top-earning photos include a mix of traditional and AI-generated images. Interestingly, one of my photos is frequently used as a weather background on ABC7 in Los Angeles. That’s a pretty cool feeling! Over the past year, my portfolio of nearly 15,000 images has generated around $2,142.64. That averages out to about 14-15 cents per photo.

The Time Investment

While $2,142.64 is a decent amount of side income, it’s important to consider the time and effort involved. I currently have over 5,280 images waiting to be categorized, keyworded, and submitted for review. It takes a lot of work to build a substantial portfolio.

The Changing Landscape of Adobe Stock

I was actively uploading photos from 2014 to 2017, and then again briefly in 2019. After that, I took a break until recently, when I started experimenting with AI imagery.

AI Imagery: Is It Worth It?

While AI-generated images have added some income, the returns aren’t as high as some people claim. Before focusing on AI imagery, I was making around $1,000-$1,500 per year. This year I’m on track to make a little more. You’ll see videos online claiming you can make thousands of dollars a day on Adobe Stock. In reality, it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme.

The Truth About Uploading

Uploading high-quality images requires a fast internet connection. Then, you have to spend time processing, keywording, labeling, and categorizing each one. It’s a tedious process.

Barriers to Entry and the Rise of AI

To become a contributor on Adobe Stock, you need to be approved. This involves submitting a portfolio for review. There are other stock photo sites out there, such as Shutterstock, iStock, and Getty Images. However, payouts have generally declined over time.

The Impact of AI

AI has lowered the barriers to entry in stock photography. Anyone with a computer can now generate images. This has led to increased competition and made it harder for your assets to be discovered. That’s why I’ve reduced how much I upload.

The Future of Adobe Stock

It’s possible that Adobe could start generating its own images using AI. This would cut out contributors and potentially change the landscape of the platform.

Is Adobe Stock Right for You?

Adobe Stock can be a good way to earn some extra side income, maybe enough for some “beer money.” However, it’s not going to replace your full-time job. There are other side hustles with higher earning potential. To succeed on Adobe Stock, you’ll need time, flexibility, a fast computer, a fast internet connection, and potentially subscriptions to AI tools or photography gear. You’ll also need to build a large portfolio.

Remember, selling stock photos on Adobe Stock is not a fast path to riches. It takes dedication, time, and a realistic understanding of the market. If you’re looking for quick money, there are likely better options available. But if you enjoy photography or AI art and are willing to put in the work, it can be a worthwhile side hustle.