Let’s have a look at downloading process on example of Shutterstock and Dreamstime. If there are already keywords and description in the files, then the process won’t take much time.

Dreamstime

1. Log in using your nickname and password
2. Go to tab Management Area:

3. Then you have two options to download your photos: using FTP or with the help of java-uplet. Firstly let’s have a look at FTP option.
4. Choose in the menu FTP upload (or go by link dreamstime.com/ftpupload.php)

5. On the right part of the screen you can see properties of FTP-connection and instruction for setting up FTP-client Filezilla you’ll find on the link dreamstime.com/ftpinstructions/index.htm

6. If Filezilla (or another client) is not installed yet, let’s download and install it from the official site (filezilla-project.org).
7. Run Filezilla and choose Site Manager.

A window of Site Manager will open. Click button New Site and enter the name Dreamstime:

Now we just need to fill in fields on the tab General on the right part of the window taking data from (dreamstime.com/ftpinstructions/index.htm). We fill in the following fields:
Host - upload.dreamstime.com
Logontype – choose Normal
User – fill in your Username (user ID)
Password – use the same password as for your dreamstime account.

You’ll get something like this (a dummy user 333333).

Press ok. Now doubleclick on the site name in the window of Site Manager. That will trigger the process of connecting to the server Dreamstime.
If everything is ok, then the window will look like this:

Now you just need to drag files from left part of the window to the right one and wait till the download completes.
In some time (it can take from several minutes to several hours) the uploaded photos will appear in Unfinished Files (dreamstime.com/unfinished.php). Go there:

In this window you’ll see the list of all downloaded but not confirmed (without categories, agreement) files:

Please pay attention to the notice like “You can submit up to 20 images/day. Read more…” The limit for quantity of uploaded photos per day can vary. This depends on the percentage of accepted works (this speaks of quality) and on some internal settings of Dreamstime.
There are 3 buttons opposite each photos. Let’s examine them:

In most cases (a usual commercial photo) we’ll be interested in the first one – COMMERCIAL RF. This requires an ordinary license Royalty Free.
The second button – RF (no keywords). If you click on it, then your work will be attributed (keywords will be added, categories will be chosen, name and description will be added as well). All this work for you will be done by Dreamstime inspectors. But this will cost you 0,4 USD. That’s why don’t click.
EDITORIAL – is used for report photos like editorial (i.e. some events or famous people, they don’t require release).

So we choose COMMERCIAL RF and we go the window of photo attributing:

Steps to finish attributing are marked with red.

To the right of the photo you’ll see fields , some of them are already filled in automatically with data I put previously into file info (please see article about editing photos). These data include Image name, Description, Keywords. What is left is to choose categories, tick some points for agreements and then you can send photos for check.

Choose at least one category from dropdown menu Category. I usually choose all 3 categories. Choose maximum categories that fit the picture. If you are not sure, you can always check categories for other similar photos. You can find them by keywords.
In our example I’ll choose:
-Art/architecture > Modern buildings
-Art/architecture > Outdoor
-Business > Objects (this is a business centre)
Further you can choose categories (or the whole description) from previously uploaded and accepted photos. Just below the picture there is a dropdown menu, a field to enter the number of photo (if it is not already in the dropdown list). Then choose All info or Categories. I recommend the button Categories because the keywords and description you’ll have already in file info.

Then tick below “ By uploading this file I warrant that I read and agree with the terms and conditions of this website and I own all property rights, including copyright”.

Just below this checkbox you’ll see another one “If this submission doesn’t qualify for the commercial stock section, I agree to make it available within the free section (RF-LL license)”. This means that in case your photo don’t qualify for the commercial stock section, you agree to publish it in the free section, i.e. it can be downloaded free of charge. You may want to tick this section for some average photos. That would be an extra PR for your portfolio. Besides, as I noticed, that would increase your chance for acceptance of future works.

In two sections below if it is needed you can download model or property releases (e.g. portraits).

And finally let’s have a look at section Rights management area. Here it is possible to tick exclusiveness “I upload this image exclusively on Dreamstime.com…”. However I don’t recommend you to do it as it means that the picture is to be sold only on Dreamstime. Also there is a possibility “Sell the rights (SR-EL)” – the price and the picture become “one-time”. It can be bought only once and at this stage property rights are fully transferred to the buyer and the photo must be deleted from other stocks. I don’t recommend this option either.

Now you can press Submit button and your photo goes for checking (it will be in state “Pending”):

We can return to the list of photos waiting to be attributed and confirmed (Back) or simply go to the next photo (Continue).
Another possibility (besides FTP) to upload photos is using java-uplet on the site. To do this you just choose Upload Images (http://www.dreamstime.com/uploadfile.php):

Confirm uplet upload and download photos via it:

However I recommend using FTP – it is more convenient, especially in case you work with lots of photos.

Shutterstock

On Shutterstock there are also several ways to upload photos – FTP, HTTP, via Browser, Plugin. As for me I prefer FTP or sometimes I use HTTP.
Let’s look at upload using FTP-client (I’m using Filezilla).
Firstly create a new site in Filezilla (see beginning of the article).

The parameters are:
Host - ftp.shutterstock.com
User – e-mail address, the one you used to register on Shutterstock.
Password – password for your Shutterstock account.

Connect, download files. Then go to your account (submit. Shutterstock.com) and press ‘go” opposite “Waiting to be submitted” (don’t worry if you still see there 0).

A window for attributing will open:

Choose categories ( if this is an illustration, then the first category must be Illustrations/Clip-Art).
If needed you can download signed model release. If the photo Editorial (e.g. s concert it is not possible to get model release from everyone), then in the dropdown menu you need to choose “Editorial, no release needed”.
Press submit these photos for review. There will be automatic review of keywords, categories etc.. In case of problems or something is missing, this field will be coloured with pink.

Usually these are warning of incorrect spelling of unknown words (for example proper names). Correct errors if there are too many or not enough keywords, missing categories or names and again press Submit button. Congratulations, your photos are submitted for review:

Files are now in queue for review, it takes some time (from several hours to several days) and then you receive a letter with review results.

Download on other stocks is pretty same.