We welcome individual Creators (photographers, filmmakers, artists, models), models listing themselves, and all agencies. Create an account, complete KYC, submit required tax forms (W-9 for U.S. payees), and apply. Once verified and approved, you can list and sell on the platform.

Melanated Stock is a culture-first marketplace for licensing photography and digital visuals from melanated creators. Brands and publishers license editorial or commercial use; creators get paid directly; every file is vetted for quality, context, and compliance.

Authors keep 80%; we keep 20%. Payouts are via PayPal, and Stripe Connect can be enabled for automatic payouts (you set up and maintain your Stripe account). We charge a Buyers fee of 5%. A 5% processing fee applies to payouts/withdrawals. U.S. Creators must submit a W-9; non-U.S. Authors provide the appropriate tax form when requested.

KYC is required to sell and receive payouts. Stripe Connect setup is required for automatic payouts and must be maintained on your side. For Commercial use, model/property releases are required when people or private property/artwork are recognizable. If a release isn’t available—or the context is sensitive—mark the asset Editorial-only. Minors require a parent/guardian signature.

Check the listing’s “License & Rights” section—Creators grant the rights and may reserve some. Look for model/property release notes and “Editorial-only” flags. If you need clarity or broader use, message the Creator before purchase and keep the listing and order confirmation as your record.

Yes. Message the Creator via the listing with your scope (exclusivity window, territories, media, seat counts). Custom grants are at the Creator's discretion. We can help coordinate through our hybrid incubator and interconnected CrownThrive ecosystem when larger packages are needed.