In an age where the internet offers endless opportunities for creators, selling stock photos and icons has become a viable way to generate passive income. While giants like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Getty Images dominate the stock media marketplace, there’s an array of lesser-known, *“secret”* websites that offer photographers, illustrators, and designers a unique platform to showcase and sell their digital artwork. These niche platforms often come with lower competition and more personalized contributor experiences, making them ideal for both fresh contributors and seasoned veterans seeking better commissions and targeted audiences.

Why Explore Lesser-Known Stock Photo Websites?

Big names in the industry are certainly credible, but they come with overwhelming competition and, often, lower royalty percentages. Secret or lesser-known websites have several unique advantages:

• Higher royalty payouts — Many smaller platforms offer better commission structures to attract contributors.
• Specialized audience — These sites cater to specific niches, enabling you to earn more from targeted downloads.
• Less saturation — There’s less content clutter, giving your work a higher chance of being seen and purchased.
• Creative freedom — Some platforms are more welcoming to experimental, artistic content that doesn’t always fit the corporate mold.

Secret Websites to Make Money with Stock Photos & Icons

1. Creative Market

Although gaining traction in recent years, Creative Market is still relatively under the radar compared to industry behemoths. It’s a perfect platform for photographers and designers who wish to sell stock photos, vector icons, templates, and other digital products.

What’s unique about Creative Market is their emphasis on design assets. Contributors sell items in bundled packs, which can command higher average sale prices. Plus, you set your own prices, which is a rare and massive advantage.

Payout: 60% of each sale directly goes to the contributor without complicated tier systems.

2. Picfair

Picfair‘s mission is to level the playing field for photographers. Their system is incredibly transparent: you set your own prices, and they only add a small markup. This allows creators to retain ownership and control over their work.

Picfair also promotes photographers on their internal magazine and showcases. This added exposure goes a long way in building a professional brand while earning from your photography.

Payout: You set the price — Picfair adds a 20% fee, but your original price remains unaffected.

3. DesignCuts

DesignCuts is a community-driven platform tailored more toward designers and illustrators. If you specialize in creating icons, vector graphics, or themed photosets, this site is perfect for selling bundles of cohesive artwork.

What makes DesignCuts appealing is their curated approach. They focus on quality over quantity, featuring only a selection of high-caliber contributors — making it a platform for those who strive for polish and professionalism.

Payout: Variable, but high payouts per bundle sale due to value-driven pricing.

4. Wirestock

Wirestock is revolutionizing the stock photo market for new contributors. It acts as a distribution portal, automatically submitting your content to multiple stock agencies (including Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and Pond5) — all under one interface.

It offers AI-based keywording, captioning tools, and licensing rights management. While not a secret in itself, the convenience it provides is a game-changer, especially if you’re looking to multiply your revenue without extra effort.

Payout: Wirestock takes 15% commission; receives standard rates from partner agencies.

5. Icons8

If you’re a designer specializing in icons and UI asset packs, then Icons8 is an untapped goldmine. This platform not only offers a space to sell icons but also provides exposure to software developers and tech companies seeking design assets.

Besides selling individual icons, contributors can monetize through custom illustrations and icon commissions as well. It’s ideal for designers targeting the tech and development audience.

Payout: Based on monthly downloads, licensing arrangements, and freelance opportunities.

6. Fotomoto

Want to make money directly through your personal photography website? Fotomoto is a unique service that allows you to embed a web store into your portfolio and sell digital downloads, prints, and even canvases — all managed by them.

Fotomoto handles processing, delivery, and customer service on your behalf, leaving you to focus entirely on creating. This is ideal for professional photographers with a personal brand who want to add a layer of monetization without middlemen.

Payout: Variable; base subscription needed; you set product prices and earn based on markup.

Tips to Maximize Earnings on Secret Stock Platforms

Making money from stock photos and icons goes beyond just uploading your portfolio. Here are actionable tips to help you succeed:

• Research trending keywords: Use tools like Google Trends or keyword suggesters to tag your content accordingly.
• Upload in sets or bundles: These sell better and command higher prices than individual assets.
• Use consistent styles: Cohesive visuals in theme, color, and formatting appeal more to buyers.
• Promote your assets: Share links to your shops on social platforms, blogs, or newsletters.
• Regularly update content: Keep your portfolio fresh with seasonal or topical uploads.

Consistency and quality are the keys to building a reliable income stream through these niche stock platforms.

Conclusion

If you’re serious about building a passive income stream from your creative assets, it’s worth exploring platforms beyond the popular stock photo websites. These “secret” platforms not only offer better revenue shares and specialized audiences but also let you retain creative autonomy. Whether you’re a photographer, icon designer, or digital illustrator, today’s digital marketplace is vast and full of opportunity — and sometimes, the road less traveled is where you’ll find the greatest reward.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need to be a professional photographer or designer?

No. These platforms welcome both hobbyists and professionals. However, quality and consistency will improve your success rate.

Can I sell the same photos and icons on multiple platforms?

Yes, unless the platform requires exclusivity, you can sell your work across various sites to maximize exposure and earnings.

How much can I realistically earn?

Earnings vary widely. Active contributors with large, niche-focused portfolios can earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month.

How do I protect my images from being stolen?

Use watermarks where necessary and always upload low-resolution previews. Make sure the platform has strong licensing protection policies.

What types of content sell best?

Bundles, themed packs, lifestyle images, and trendy icons (like in tech or e-commerce) usually perform well.

Is it worth investing time in lesser-known platforms?

Absolutely. They often offer better commission rates, more targeted audiences, and long-term opportunities for passive income.