How Does Buying Sports Photos Online Work on Surf Snaps?

The short answer: you browse galleries for free, pick the photos you want, pay per photo by card and download the full-resolution file without a watermark. Here is the whole process, with the answers to the questions people ask most.

Step by step

Search. Open Explore and filter by sport, location and date. No account is needed to browse.
Spot yourself. Open a gallery. Previews are watermarked but shown full size, so you can check it is you.
Add to cart. You need an account for this step. You can add photos from one gallery or several.
Check out. Pay by card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover, processed through Stripe.
Download. The watermark is removed and the full-resolution original is available in My Purchases right away.

How much do photos cost?

Photographers set their own price per photo, and photos on Surf Snaps start from $8. You pay only for the photos you choose, with no packages, no minimum order and no subscription.

Is it free to browse?

Yes. Searching and looking at galleries costs nothing and does not require an account.

What do I actually get?

The full-resolution original, without a watermark. It is good enough to print, not just to post. It stays in My Purchases so you can download it again later. Surf Snaps does not offer print fulfillment yet, so if you want a print you would take the file to a lab of your choice.

Can I share the photo?

A purchase is a licence to you for that image, and the photographer keeps the copyright. Sharing with family and friends and posting it for personal use is the normal way people use their photos. If you want to use one commercially, ask the photographer first, and check the terms page.

What if something goes wrong?

If you have a problem with an order or want to ask about a refund, contact support at support@surf-snaps.com. The FAQ covers the common questions.

Why photos are found by place and date

Most photographers shoot events that athletes cannot predict. Tagging every session with a sport, a place and a date means the athlete who was there can find the photos without knowing the photographer. Each gallery also has its own shareable page, so a photographer can send you a link directly.

Want a photographer for your next event?

Photographers who take bookings show a rate and open hours on their profile. Every request needs the photographer's confirmation, and Surf Snaps takes no share of bookings. See how it works for athletes.

If you are a photographer

Upload your sessions to Surf Snaps and athletes can find and buy them. Joining and uploading are free, with no storage bill, and the Surf Snaps fee of up to 10% only applies when a photo sells and can be passed on to the customer. Payouts arrive by bank transfer on the first of every month.

Buying Sports Photos FAQ