Perhaps you’re a photographer, and you’ve spent years honing your craft, capturing breathtaking moments and stunning landscapes. Your camera roll is filled with high-quality images that tell stories, evoke emotions, and inspire others.
But have you ever wondered how to take your photography to the next level and turn it into a lucrative business? With the rise of social media, you’ve likely noticed that photography videos are dominating the feeds, garnering incredible engagement and attention.
Now, imagine taking your passion a step further and monetizing your photography videos. With businesses constantly seeking high-quality visuals for their advertisements, selling stock footage and photos online has become a lucrative opportunity. As a creative, diversifying your income streams is key to financial freedom.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to make money from photography videos, from creating stunning content to selling your work online for profit. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, get ready to unlock a new revenue stream and take your photography business to new heights.
Types of Photography Videos
The success of Emma Healey, a talented landscape and wildlife photographer, gives us a good illustration on how to leverage photography videos. Before Emma Healey’s photography studio started buzzing with clients, she was struggling to stand out in a crowded industry.
Then, she started sharing her expertise through tutorial videos, titled “Mastering Golden Hour” and “Wildlife Photography Essentials,” which quickly racked up views, with photographers praising her clear explanations and expert tips.
Soon, Emma’s YouTube channel was flooded with comments like: “Your tutorials are the best!” and “You’re my go-to photography guru!” As her following grew, Emma expanded her content. Gear reviews like “Camera Comparison: Nikon vs. Canon” and “Tripod Showdown” helped photographers make informed purchasing decisions.
Behind-the-scenes footage and vlogs, like “Shooting in Yellowstone” and “My Editing Process,” gave viewers a glimpse into her creative process. Travel videos, such as “Chasing Light in New Zealand” and “Cultural Documentaries,” transported viewers to breathtaking destinations.
Emma’s inbox filled with messages from aspiring photographers seeking guidance and potential clients interested in her services. Her website traffic soared, and her social media following grew. Workshops and photography tours sold out months in advance.
Today, Emma Healey’s photography business is thriving. She’s established herself as a trusted authority, attracting clients from around the world. From Emma Healey’s photography career, we can identify five types of photography videos which are:
Photography Business Plan
1. Tutorials and Workshops
This involves creating tutorial videos that break down complex techniques into easy-to-follow steps. You can share your expertise on things like:
- Camera settings and modes
- Lighting and composition
- Editing software and techniques
- Genre-specific photography (e.g. portrait, wedding, wildlife)
Workshops can be live or pre-recorded, and you can offer exclusive content to paid attendees. This format helps establish your authority in the photography community.
2. Gear Reviews and Comparisons
Help others make informed purchasing decisions by creating review videos that compare photography equipments, such as:
- Cameras and lenses
- Tripods and accessories
- Editing software and plugins
- Other photography equipment
Share your hands-on experience, pros, and cons to help viewers make informed purchasing decisions. Comparison videos can also highlight the best gear for specific photography styles.
3. Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) and Vlogs
Give your audience a peek into your personal activities, such as:
- BTS footage of photoshoots
- Vlogs of your photography adventures
- Time-lapses of editing processes
- Sneak peeks of upcoming projects.
This type of content humanizes your brand, builds rapport, and showcases your creative process.
4. Travel and Landscape Photography Videos
Transport your viewers to breathtaking destinations with:
- Time-lapses of stunning landscapes
- Drone footage of sweeping vistas
- Cultural and travel documentaries
- Photography tips for capturing iconic locations.
These videos inspire and educate, making them perfect for travel and photography enthusiasts.
5. Product Showcases and Demonstrations
Highlight your artistry and showcase your photography skills by creating videos that:
- Highlight your best work
- Demonstrate post-processing techniques
- Share client testimonials
- Introduce new photography services or packages
Product showcases and demonstrations help potential clients understand your value proposition and vision.
These types of photography videos cater to different interests and needs, allowing you to connect with your audience and establish your brand as a go-to resource for photography enthusiasts.
Tips and Tricks to Film High-Quality Stock Footage
If you want to sell your video clips, itâs important that they look professional. The higher quality your stock footage, the more likely youâll successfully sell your work. Not sure where to start? Here are a few areas to focus on while youâre behind the camera:
- Lighting
When shooting stock footage, lighting is everything. Ensure your subject is well-lit, avoiding harsh shadows and overhead lighting. Soft light sources are your best friend.
Here’s Emily Healey narrating her experience when filming a sunset scene.
“I arrived early to capture the golden hour, but forgot my reflector. Luckily, I improvised with a piece of white cardboard. The result was breathtaking footage!”
- Composition
Ditch the boring center-frame shots. Experiment with visually dynamic compositions that’ll catch editors’ attention. You can always upload multiple clips, so don’t be afraid to try new angles.
Emily swears by this tip. “In Tokyo, I captured a stunning cityscape by shooting from a unique rooftop angle. It sold within days!”
- Stability
Shaky camera movements are a major no-no. Invest in a tripod or stabilization equipment to keep your shots smooth and steady.
Emily was filming a cooking scene without a tripod, and it resulted in unusable footage. Now, she never shoots without one.
- Subject Matter
Focus on popular subjects, current trends, or evergreen content that’ll always be in demand. While niche clips have their place, broader appeal increases your chances of selling.
Here’s what Emily has to say about this:
“I created a series on sustainable living, and it’s been consistently selling for months.”
- The Audio Exception
Notice we didn’t mention audio? That’s because most stock footage clips are uploaded without sound. Editors usually use their own audio or music files, so don’t worry about capturing pristine audio.
5 Platforms to Use to Sell Your Stock Footage
1. Shutterstock
Imagine being part of a platform that’s paid out over a billion dollars to its users! That’s Shutterstock, with over 350 million images and videos, it’s a stock media powerhouse.
Take Sarah for example, Emily’s friend, a travel photographer who uploaded her stunning images to Shutterstock. Within months, she earned enough to fund her next adventure. “I was blown away by the response,” she said. “Shutterstock opened doors to new opportunities and helped me turn my passion into a career.”
Shutterstock also pays contributors for referring fellow creatives. Win-win!
2. Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock’s integration with Premiere Pro makes it a no-brainer for creatives already using the software. Emily edits with Premiere Pro.
She discovered Adobe Stock’s seamless integration and never looked back. “It’s a game changer,” she said. “I can upload and sell my clips directly, earning 33% of all royalties.”
3. Pond5
Pond5 is like the high-end boutique of stock media. You set your own prices, and they pay you for referrals too!
Here’s what Emily said after uploading her exclusive content to Pond5. “I was surprised by how quickly my portfolio gained traction,” she said. “Pond5’s quality focused approach really pays off.”
Your Creative Business
4. Storyblocks
Storyblocks is like the VIP section of stock footage. You get paid based on downloads, but you need to apply first.
Sarah built a solid portfolio before applying. “Storyblocks has been a great addition to my income streams,” she said. “It’s worth the application process.”
5. Artgrid
Artgrid is smaller but potentially more lucrative. Imagine getting paid top dollar for your stunning footage.
Here’s what Emily said about applying to Artgrid with her exclusive content:
“The response has been incredible. Artgrid’s curated approach really values quality over quantity.”
Platforms for Hosting Photography Videos
- YouTube
- Vimeo
- TikTok
- Instagram Reels
- Personal websites and blogs
Conclusion
In conclusion, capturing stunning stock footage requires attention to detail, creativity, and a solid understanding of what sells. By mastering lighting, composition, stability, and subject matter, you’ll increase your chances of success in the competitive stock footage market.
Whether you’re a seasoned videographer or just starting out, these tips will help you elevate your craft and make your photography video stand out.
What’s your experience with photography videos?
