Has anyone heard of or use this stock agency? I was filling out their membership requirements and stopped when they wanted me to send them a JPEG of some sort of "government issued ID" either my driver’s license or passport. In fact their page said they would prefer getting a copy of my passport. Without either of these items they would not continue to process my application. In this day and age of identity theft who in their right mind would submit such info.

Yes indeed many people have heard about it, because shutterstock is one of the top microstock sites in the world. If you have read this forum before asking you would have noticed that by yourself.

Yes it is standard for Shutterstock to request a proof of your id. You are about to sign a business contract with an agency selling your photos and paying you commission, so it is reasonable to ask for your identity proof.

If you don't like that it's your choice not to have business with them.

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Seriously?

In this day and age of people attempting to steal and resell other people's images, it is a necessary safety precaution and is not uncommon. Also, consider microstock sites like any other employer who pays you. They can require proof of ID just like any other job. In the US we fill out tax forms and have to provide some form of ID (drivers license, social security card, etc) with these forms when we obtain employment with any company. Why wouldn't microstock companies, which must issue tax forms to contributors in their respective countries, do the same?

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