Pond5 review

Pond5 is a footage marketplace first, but it accepts photographs and illustrations and pays them a flat 30% royalty share, the same rate as music, sound effects and templates. Video earns 30% for non-exclusive contributors and 40% for exclusive ones, and Pond5 says its referral program can raise the share to as much as 70%. Contributors who opt in to dataset licensing earn a 20% royalty on each licensed item. Payouts happen on the 15th of each month once your balance reaches $25; smaller balances roll over. You can be paid through PayPal, Payoneer or Skrill, though Skrill deducts 4% per payout. The contributor portal offers shoot briefs, music briefs, buyer requests and monthly data and trends reports, which help you decide what to shoot. Stills earn 30% while exclusive video earns 40%, so photographers who only shoot stills miss Pond5's best terms.

Who it is for

Photographers who also shoot video and want one portfolio for stills and footage.

Price

Free to join; 30% royalty on photos, 40% for exclusive video.

Contributors will receive a 30% royalty share on music, sound effects, photographs, illustrations, After Effects, and other templates.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• 30% royalty share on photographs and illustrations
• 40% revenue share for exclusive video contributors
• Referral program that can lift the royalty share up to 70%
• Dataset earnings at a 20% royalty rate
• Monthly payouts on the 15th with a $25 minimum

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Strong fit for photographers who also film
• Strength: Shoot briefs and buyer requests point to demand
• Strength: Referral earnings on new subscription customers
• Weakness: Photos earn 30%, below video's exclusive rate
• Weakness: Skrill payouts lose 4% to fees
• Weakness: Catalog and briefs focus on footage and music

Key facts

• Photo royalty: 30%
• Exclusive video royalty: 40%
• Minimum payout: $25
• Payout methods: PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill

Where it ranks

Pond5 is No. 7 in our Best Sites to Sell Stock Photos verdict.