Shoot & Sell – October 2019

Here are 9 ideas that you can work on to increase your earnings with stock photography and stock footage in October 2019.

The only way you can succeed as a stock creator is by uploading content that is both unique and in high demand. And that is why I upload these videos every month. 

Be authentic

The best way to make use of the following topics is by planning and producing authentic work. I always place visual examples, and they’re here to represent the topic and to showcase good examples. But you’re definitely not going to make many sales if you simply copy them. 

The key is to be creative and unique by applying alternatives that were not explored on the topic yet. And you can do that by introducing unusual angles, lighting, colors and even exploring actors of gender, ages, abilities or ethnicities that are not usually explored in stock files. 

So it’s always a good idea to research what are the existing files for these topics and check what variations you could include. 

Keep this in mind: Real People in Real Places Doing Real Things.

Stock agency Alamy has a whole collection of photos named Authentic Imagery (click here) just for that reason. These awesome examples go into the opposite of what cliche stock imagery usually does.

Did you hear the news?

Before we head into the shotlist, I want to be sure you haven’t missed out on two awesome things I presented in the last videos. 

First, we have Adobe Stock bonus program. They’re giving free Creative Cloud subscriptions to their contributors. Click here to learn more about it.

Second, if you haven’t watched last month’s shoot & sell episode, I just created an online class that can be watched for free in which I show you how to use a CSV Spreadsheet to organize and apply metadata on multiple stock files. I teach my Keywording and Metadata workflow there as well.

The class is hosted on Skillshare, a learning platform with thousands of creative classes. The cool thing about it is that they gave me a special link that will give you 2 months free. That’s how you can watch and download my CSV template for free.

 

The Shotlist – What to upload to stock agencies in October 2019

All right, let’s head to the shotlist. 

1. Girl Boss (Alamy)

This month we have stock agency Alamy in the requests. They’re searching for content that represents how the traditional view of an entrepreneur is changing. 

Check out Alamy’s favorite examples here.

2. At One with Nature (Alamy)

The second Alamy request is called “At One with Nature” and is related to the increase in greenery within people’s homes. More and more people are reflecting upon how they can bring nature into their homes. Alamy also created a collection to inspire you on that. You can check it here. 

 

 

3. Paranormal Activity

On to the next agency, we have Pond5 with “Paranormal Activity”. According to the agency, the ratings for supernatural and paranormal shows are skyrocketing. And that means a huge demand for clips illustrating mysterious things.

Scary Hospital Corridor by boscorelli

Some ideas are cemeteries and other scary exteriors. Scary weather, crystal balls, cupboards opening themselves, sheets being pulled off the bed, apparitions and so it goes. 

Pond5 suggestion is to use keywords like “mystery, supernatural, paranormal, haunted, scary, fear, mysterious, spooky.

Typical Users: Unscripted drama, non-fiction and reality TV programming, feature and documentary films

Pro-Tip: If you decide to add effects to the image, be sure to include a clean version in case an FX artist wants to manipulate it.

 

4. Crime Scene

Still, in a spooky mood, the next Pond5 brief is “Crime Scene“. Pond5 says that users like Movie companies, Security companies, and Political Campaigns are all searching for images and videos depicting crime. 

Pro-Tip: According to Pond5,

 “Creating crime scenes that are open allows a client to interpret a cause. Get coverage. Running or thinking of other scenarios beyond a murder, such as a car theft, home robbery, or business “stickup” are simple setups that can potentially create a steady revenue stream for years. An unconscious victim can be interpreted as an overdose, suicide, or murder. If you decide on this setup, try running variations of these themes.”

 

5. High Tech Detection

And then we have High Tech Detection, the last Pond5 brief. Your goal should be to represent all new technologies and tactics on the fight against crime and terrorism. The list of ideas is quite long, so do check the article if you think to work on this.

To summarize, heat-sensor cameras, x-rays, aerial technologies, and even satellite tech are some ideas.

 

6. The modern apothecary

Finally, we go to Shutterstock. The first request is named “The Modern Apothecary”. And that means content depicting an organic lifestyle with a focus on self-care and natural wellness. Examples are essential oils, incense, candles, herbal formulations, etc.

 

7. Special Occasion

The 3 other Shutterstock requests are holiday-related.

The holidays are approaching, and customers are already searching for images & videos of people getting together. Upload images of family meals, picnics, and intimate dinners. The drink eggnog was once again mentioned, so I do think it is something to pay attention on.

 

8. Seasonal activities 

“Seasonal activities” is the name of the next request and that is showcasing outdoor activities that each season can bring. The diversity of models, scenarios, and culture is essential here. Do explore what is unique in the region you live in.

 

9. New Year, New You

And to close, we have New Year. All kinds of images that celebrate this milestone and the resolutions that come with it are welcome. Customers want all kind of lifestyle imagery. Goal setting, vision boarding, are ideas. 

 

Shoot & Sell – September 2019

What’s up everybody, welcome to another Shoot & Sell episode here at Creative Income. If you’re not familiar with the channel yet, every month I upload a new video with all the relevant news in the stock photo and stock footage industry as well as creative briefs sent by the agencies. 

This month we have 7 fresh requests coming from Shutterstock and Pond5, that according to these agencies are topics of increasing demand but low offering when it comes to stock files. 

Before we go to the shotlist there are 4 things I believe you would like to know. 

1. Pond5 Contest

Pond5 started a monthly contest in which they’ll give free content promotion and a 100-dollar gift card every month. It will be given to the 3 contributors with the biggest increase in referral traffic. That means the number of visitors you drive to your profile page on their platform. You can find the official rules in the link below.

http://bit.ly/pond5month

2. Adobe Editorial

Cool news coming from Adobe too as we finally see the first signals of Editorial Content being accepted there. The feature is still under testing and will only be available for contributors with the rank Gold and above. That means 10k downloads or more. But according to their help page, they’ll open it up to a wider group over time.

It’s also important to mention that they’ll only accept Illustrative Editorial. That means “content intended to illustrate articles on current events and newsworthy topics” using real brands and products to convey strong ideas. 

That means they still won’t accept the standard editorial content we usually see in Shutterstock and other major agencies in which you can upload shots with recognizable people that haven’t signed a release. 

3. Free Mini-course

Now, here is something I’m excited about and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too. Here’s the deal. 

There are 2 things that you guys ask me the most in the comment sections:

  • My workflow to write metadata 
  • And the CSV Spreadsheet where I organize it

The spreadsheet in special is what I’ve been using and improving for 6 years already. It helps me keep track of the status of each file on each agency, apply metadata on multiple files at once, and a list of keywords used in the best selling files of Shutterstock. 

Both the workflow and the spreadsheet are available in the Stock Creators online course, but I decided to put them on a mini-course in Skillshare too. 

The coolest thing is that Skillshare gave me a referral link that you guys can use to get 60 days free in their platform. So Not only you’ll be able to watch my class and download the CSV template, as you’ll also have full premium access to more than 30.000 classes on topics like Premiere Pro, After Effects, and some future content I’ll be doing there. 

There’s also a cool class from Victoria Smith, one of the most active contributors in the BlackBox community on how to write keywords for stock footage. 

So be sure to use the link below and get your 2 months free. After that, the cost will be $15/month or $99/year. But you can cancel it at any time, even during the free trial. So you’ll definitely have enough time to watch and download my content in there!

 

4. Storyblocks Changes

And finally, before we head to the shot list, let me comment about these quite interesting moves that  Storyblocks is making with their business model. It impacts directly on how buyers will pay for it as well as how we the contributors get paid.

Just a few days ago, on September 10th, Storyblocks closed their marketplace becoming a subscription-only website, hey call it Member Library Partner Program.

The marketplace was just like most stock agencies, where customers would buy stock footage on a clip by clip basis and contributors, would receive 50% of the price paid for each download. 

Now the Member Library is a totally different thing. Think of it like Netflix. Members pay a monthly ($39) or annually ($199) fee and get access to unlimited downloads. As an individual contributor, you will get a proportional share of Storyblocks’ revenue. This share is determined according to the number of downloads your files had compared to the total downloads in the platform. The way the revenue is distributed is not that simple and I can definitely produce a video about it in the future.

Throughout the forums and facebook groups, you’ll see all kinds of reactions. Most of them are filled with hopelessness and I respect it. But instead of complaining about the change of winds, I’d rather stop and think about how to make good use of it. Storyblocks is definitely not the most expressive agency in our monthly earnings. I’m sure it is the same for you. So in the end, it is an individual choice for each contributor to stick with Storyblocks or not.

 

Let me show you what is the opportunity I see in this.

The company says that “Over 85% of our members are hobbyists, freelancers, and small business owners”… And that they love the affordability and creative flexibility that an unlimited subscription model offers.” 

That does make some sense. There’s a large part of the market that could never afford to pay $79 per clip on Shutterstock, for example. So this would open the doors for YouTubers and freelancers with lower budgets to become stock footage buyers.

The point I see contributors complaining about is that they don’t want to get less than a dollar per download on files that usually earn $30 or something like that. And that does make sense. 

But who said you have to upload your best selling files to Storyblocks? Why not upload the ones that rarely sell instead and give them a chance to bring you some revenue?

Cause if on one hand the revenue per download is going to be lower than it was, we should also take into consideration that the number of downloads will probably increase.

I’m not telling you to produce poor quality content. I’m just saying that it is ok to put a discount on files that haven’t been purchased for a while. Think of all the stores making sales at the end of a season to get rid of all the products that weren’t sold yet to open space for new ones.

 

Shotlist

Alright, enough of that. Let’s go to the shot list. 

These are briefs sent by Shutterstock and Pond5 and represent the real demand of stock customers, so if you’re looking for inspiration, be sure to watch the past episodes too.

 

 

1. Young at Heart

Starting with my favorites, Pond5 has a brief named “Young at Heart”. It refers to seniors engaging in fun activities usually enjoyed by the youth. Some ideas are motor-biking, surfing, martial arts, skydiving and all kinds of activities considered uncommon for folks over 65. You can also explore seniors attending events, going on an adventure and even taking selfies. 

But please, be authentic. I guess buyers are getting tired of thumbs-ups

Shot-List Thought-Starters

  • Motor-biking, surfing, martial arts, skydiving, and every other cool activity deemed “unacceptable” for folks over 65
  • Attending live events such as rock concerts and nightclubs
  • Adventurous travel to both cities and off-the-beaten places
  • Taking part in youthful “throwback” activities such as: date night at a diner sharing a milkshake, driving a convertible with hair blowing in the wind, taking a dance class together
  • Taking “selfies” of their experiences

Suggested Keywords: Active seniors, elderly, activity, carefree, togetherness, young at heart, vitality, happiness, individuality, fun, adventure

Pro-Tip: Do your best to cast real-looking talent with real skills. This approach will pay dividends in the end, as clients are constantly searching for authenticity within our collection.

 

2. Baby on Board

At the other opposite, here comes another Pond5 request on visual content demonstrating the time leading up to the birth of a baby as well as its first moments. Examples go from pregnancy scenes of a couple expecting a child and setting up a nursery, then childbirth, parents looking at a baby, babies in incubators, breastfeeding, pushing a baby in a stroller, securing him into a car seat and so it goes.

Pond5 suggests close-ups on babies’ expressions during all these moments.

Shot-List Thought-Starters

  • Pregnancy: Scenes showing a couple expecting a child, tender moments demonstrating hope and anticipation, setting up a nursery
  • Childbirth: Checking into a maternity ward, being handed a newborn for the first time, looking at a baby through nursery window, babies in incubators
  • Breastfeeding
  • First Steps: A baby being guided by parents, falling into parents’ arm, or attempting to walk and falling on their backside
  • Babies being comforted or consoled
  • Pushing baby in a stroller
  • Safety: Baby being secured into a car seat

Suggested Keywords: Baby, Family, First Steps, Birth, Love, Pride, Compassion, Happiness, Security, Innocence, New Beginning, Milestones, Tenderness, Care, Lifestyle

3. Pajama party

In a similar line, there’s a request from Shutterstock on Pajama Parties. According to the agency, customers will be looking for images of kids in their pj’s having sleepovers, doing pillow fights and building blanket forts. Images of babysitters watching kids should be in demand too. 

 

 

4. Milestones

Fast forward some years and we’ll be in the next Pond5 brief: Milestones. These are significant events that occur in one’s lifetime like learning to ride a bicycle, the first day at school, first date, first car, first job, and even first home. 

An extra tip to ensure some extra sales is to capture multiple sequences with your subjects before, during and after the main action of the shoot. This way you’ll give them the ability to buy multiple files to tell their story.

Suggested Keywords: Firsts, Change, Milestones, Future, Independence, Courage, Excitement, Graduation, Ceremony, New Horizons, Accomplishments, Rituals, Lifestyle

Casting Considerations: Diversity is always important to keep in mind for lifestyle shoots. Authenticity with talent and imagery. Accept the challenge to subtract artificiality from your setups. In other words, keep it REAL. These things will play an important role in the success of your shoot. Read more in our post on authenticity and why it matters.

 

5. Acts of Kindness

Shutterstock also got a request for visual content depicting acts of kindness like individuals participating in non-profits like charities and soup kitchens. Maybe someone assisting elderly or disabled people.

 

 

6. Support Small Businesses

Shutterstock is also requesting images & videos depicting small businesses and storefronts from around the world in all varieties and styles. This includes cafes, retail stores, office environments, and start-ups. Portraits of shopkeepers and entrepreneurs in a work scenario are always popular. 

 

 

7. Modern Holidays

Finally, we have a common request for this time of the year – the Holidays. According to Shutterstock, customers are already getting ready and looking for seasonal images. One good idea is to focus on modern and trendy aspects of these subjects that haven’t been so much explored yet. Try to depict trends on Holiday greenery, home decor, and alternatives to the traditional holiday trees, such as cactuses or palm trees. Holiday drinks like eggnog and prosecco are also ideas to consider.

 

Don’t forget to check out our FREE online class

When working on metadata for your content I highly suggest you store your work inside a CSV spreadsheet. It is the best way to keep your work safe, keep track of your uploads on each agency, and it also saves hours when uploading to multiple agencies.

Once again, my template is available for download on my Skillshare class. If you haven’t started your 2 free months yet, then now is the time.

Shoot & Sell – May 2019

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You can turn your photos & videos into money through stock agencies – that’s no secret.

Will every upload get you some cash? Definitely no.

And that’s why I’m here, to guarantee you invest your time on topics that really sell as stock footage or stock photography.

 

You can watch the content in the video above or just keep reading this article.

 

8 topics to shoot now + 5 hot visual trends

This month, not only do we have 9 ideas of what to produce next, as also a list of visual trends – which is exactly where I want to start.

The cool thing about spotting visual trends is that it makes all the traditional and saturated topics new again.

Every quarter, StoryBlocks launches an article about what is trending in searches, what customers are asking for and what is popular in visual design.

 

1.1 Gradient

 

Gradients are the first one and I couldn’t agree more. You probably noticed this being applied in different ways.

Stock Photographer Zamurovic uses it a lot exploring the transition from pink to blue. I’ve illustrated it with more examples in the video.

You’ll see people referring to this style as “holographic colors”. This is very connected to the fashion trends and you will even see graphic designers using wrinkled foil as a background.

This won’t always be a good idea for stock footage, because some buyers prefer having room to do their own color grading, so use it with caution.

 

1.2 Muted Tones

In a similar way, you can also explore muted tones. So instead of making your colors pop, try to mute them. It’s not black and white, though. You will just make your colors a little less aggressive.

 

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

Once again, the best way to understand it is by studying the fashion trends connected to it.

Still, I don’t think this will work for every video file and I believe it’s better for images made to be used as backgrounds somehow. You can try to color grade your footage as much as you want but always keep in mind that some buyers like having room to work on their own color preferences.1

 

 

1.3 Extreme Close-ups

Then we go to extreme close-ups. Shots that frame a person or object tightly.

Although I wouldn’t state it as visual trend, it’s interesting to learn that stock footage buyers are searching for close-ups.

So that’s something to keep in mind in your next stock footage shootings. Try to explore close-up angles and diversify the number of shots you achieve with the same topic.

 

1.4 Retro Cinema Style

 

Vintage Aerobic Training People On A 80S 90S Retro Tv Screen on Pond5

If you read my article about the bestsellers of 2018, you’ll notice there’s a big number of files like this in the list.

Taking a look at your old Mini-DV tapes can be more profitable than you think.

 

1.5 POV

And finally, there is “POV”, which I believe are alternative Points Of View. Like people filming themselves, first-person view, low angle, flat lays, etc.

 

All these visual trends are cool ideas to apply to whatever you’re producing right now. Practice them in different subjects and you will probably get good results even in saturated categories.

 

 

Don’t forget to check out our online course. We got a special discount for readers of the blog. 

 

 

The Shot List for May 2019

Now let’s go to the shot lists.

These are subjects and topics with high demand and represent actual requests made by the stock agencies.

 

1. Back to School Activities

 

https://www.offset.com/photos/smiling-children-sitting-on-steps-and-eating-pizza-together-at-school-740015

Shutterstock is always planning ahead. They are requesting images depicting children around the world preparing for the new school year.

That can translate into parents purchasing schools supplies like backpacks and pencil cases, the first day at school, from starting kindergarten to walking into a dorm room.

The 4 Shutterstock requests can be read here.

 

2. Newborn Babies

 

Father and toddler son playing in living room on Offset

Newborn babies are in demand once again. Especially when it comes to fathers doing activities with their child as most files only show babies with their mothers.

Breastfeeding was among the requests months ago and came back again proving there’s still not enough quality content about it.

Graphic designers can work on illustrations and vectors for new baby cards, baby shower banners, and new baby celebrations. Photos & Footage depicting baby showers are welcome too.

The secret is including parents and children of diverse ethnicities, ages, abilities, etc. The more diverse, the more unique your files will be.

And that applies perfectly to the 3rd request:

 

3. Inclusive Beauty

 

https://www.offset.com/photos/profile-of-mixed-race-woman-with-eyes-closed-606927

Women and non-binary people indulging in everyday beauty routines. Explore the diversity of beauty, including different ethnicities, ages, shapes, and “imperfections” being celebrated. Work on beauty rituals and makeup application techniques in stunning environments. As well as broad representations of the beauty in women and non-binary individuals of diverse ethnicities, ages, abilities, and backgrounds. That will be images depicting the diversity of beauty including different ethnicities, ages, non-binary people, and diversity being celebrated in everyday beauty routines.

 

4. Criminal Justice

 

Storyblocks is reporting an increase of 150% on searches for “hacker” and “prison” as well as “jail,” “lawyer” and “security”.

Last month, Pond5 had a demand for airport security lines, so I believe it is an authentic request.

According to Storyblocks “content representing crime and criminal justice system are in demand”.

Searches for “hacker” and “prison” have increased by close to 150%, while “jail,” “lawyer” and “security” have also experienced significant search volume spikes. It’s clear that content representing the crime and criminal justice system are in demand.

Read more about Storyblocks’ requests here.

 

5. Farmer’s Market

Now we have 3 requests coming from Pond5.

 

Young Farmer Selling Fresh Vegetables by pressmaster

The first one is related to local farmers markets and their growing popularity around the world. Try to visually represent how these markets provide a place to meet and chat with neighbors, as well as getting needed groceries.

Pond5 suggests the following shots:

 

  • Shoppers and vendors weighing produce/fruits
  • Shoppers smelling/squeezing produce/fruits
  • Shoppers choosing fresh produce, bread, cheese, meats
  • Shoppers purchasing fresh produce, bread, cheese, meats
  • Shoppers meeting and chatting with friends/neighbors
  • Portraits of both consumers and vendors

And the following keywords: Organic Foods, Healthy Foods, Choice, Shopping, FreshnessPeople shopping, smelling, choosing products, chatting to neighbors and portraits of both consumers and vendors.

 

6. Record Shopping

 

Couple At Record Store Sidewalk Sale by TheStacks

The next request connects to the fact that Vinyl album sales in the United States have grown for the 13th consecutive year. Pond5 states that 16.8 million LPs were sold in the country in 2018, 14.6% more than the last year. So this a poorly explored theme full of concepts that reach far beyond the subject matter.

Some suggestions of shots are:

 

  • Shopper shuffling through records in a bin
  • Removing a record from sleeve to examine the record’s condition
  • Listening to record at the store’s listening station
  • Paying for the record
  • Portraits of both shopper and vendor

And suggested keywords are: Choice, Collector, Examining, Shopping, Retail

 

7. Home Studio Recording

 

Young Musician Composes and Records Music by barselona_dreams

Producing & recording music at home have become a new trend in the music scenario. And buyers need visual content to represent that.

Some suggestions of shots are:

 

  • Wide shot of a home studio with and without talent.
  • Plugging instrument or midi controller
  • Playing an instrument or midi controller
  • Navigating through music software
  • Singing into a microphone
  • Portrait of a musician in a home studio

And suggested keywords are: Creativity, Technology, Innovation, Uniqueness, Originality

 

8. Japanese Seniors

And finally, there’s this brief from GettyImages Custom Content. It is specific for their client (FIL) but represents a niche that is poorly represented in stock agencies – Japanese Seniors.

 

  • Groups and individuals taking part in outdoor activities
  • Aligned with the sentiment of people enjoying life in Japan.
  • Must feel authentic, natural and ad hoc, nothing staged looking.
  • Man walking alone in nature, leisurely with a fresh green background.
    Keywords: Nature, hiking, environment, healthy, well‑being, active seniors exercising
  • Couple happily in living room looking at iPad, Skype with their grandchildren. Keywords: Family, couple, lifestyle, enjoyment, togetherness, connection
  • Grandmother with her family and grandkids walking along a park/ beach.
    Keywords: Leisure, nature, outdoor, togetherness, family, enjoyment, healthy
  • Please see the client’s mood board for visual references, and remember while it depicts some non‑Asians, Japanese talent is mandatory for this brief. 

 

And that’s all for today.

Thanks for reading. Stay Creative.

Cover photo by niu niu on Unsplash

 

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Shoot & Sell – Apr 2019

This post is part of a series I write monthly to help stock creators with ideas and insights on what to produce next as well as relevant news of the industry.

You can watch the content in the video above or just keep reading this article.

Don’t forget to check out our online course. We’re now raising the price to $30, but you can still get it for $20 using the coupon code: APR2019

 

The Shot List

1. Environmentalism & Plastic Awareness

https://www.offset.com/photos/front-view-of-toddler-boy-carrying-bag-full-of-plastic-waste-around-783390

Environmental issues & solutions, and Plastic Awareness are the first demand from Shutterstock. This is an interesting topic wherever you live. You can work on plastic pollution in water or land. Beach and forest clean-ups. And any creative way to showcase zero-waste and environmental solutions.

Read more

 

2. Football (or Soccer)

https://www.offset.com/photos/boy-playing-football-in-the-ground-on-a-sunny-day-762689

The second demand is Football. And I’m sorry my fellow American friends. I’m talking about real football, not that thing you call football. That’s not a ball, and you don’t even use the foot enough. So… yeah… sorry. That’s not football.

Joking apart, we’re talking about people playing and watching soccer around the world. You can explore the local traditions and how people interact with the sport wherever you are. This topic has a strong demand for illustrations and vectors. Shutterstock suggests vectors with various sports balls, not only soccer.

Read more

3. Home Improvement & Spring Cleaning

https://www.offset.com/photos/bearded-man-painting-wicker-armchair-at-home-537877

Next, we have home improvement & spring cleaning. That includes people cleaning their houses, like floors, surfaces, TVs, laundry, etc. Before-and-afters are getting nice results in this subject. Read more

4. Pride & the LGBTQ+ Community

https://www.offset.com/photos/young-gay-couple-in-love-sitting-on-steel-girder-of-a-footbridge-769367

The last Shutterstock request is related to the Pride Month, and that means images celebrating Pride and diversity communities. Things live events, flags, as well as individuals, couples, or friends in everyday situations. Read more

5. Creative Brief: Teens and Social Video

We also have three creative briefs from Pond5. The first one is related to Teens and Social Media.

We know how much teenager’s lives were impacted since Instagram launched Stories. If it was for better or worse, well, that’s not the point. 

So Pond5 is looking for photos & videos that capture teenagers creating and spreading their stories. You can cover texting, selfies and everything in between.

Suggested Keywords: Social Media, Communication, Individuality, Entertainment, Connection, Obsession, Wireless Technology, Portability

Pro-Tip: More than likely, a teenager’s room might be covered with copyrighted posters, images, and products peppered with logos from popular brands. There are plenty of ways to keep your environment real without compromising your vision for fear of capturing copyrighted materials. Shoot with a shallower depth of field, which will blur out TV programs, appliances, computers, magazines, books, logos, and any other trademarked objects. Also, prepping a safe location takes a little more effort, including greeking logos and avoiding areas that pose a risk or are impossible to navigate around.

Pond5 was specific about ages between 13-18, but I would also explore different ages. From kids becoming early users to older people that got the same habits.

Read the full brief here.

6. Creative Brief: Airport Security

The second request from Pond5 is pretty specific and also pretty hard to do. And that’s Airport Security. It can be tough to obtain access to a security checkpoint but not impossible. It also doesn’t have to be an actual security checkpoint as you can simulate one like these contributors probably have.

Explore scenes like passengers putting laptops and shoes into plastic bins, metal detectors, x-rays, passports, and even dogs sniffing.

Suggested Keywords: Security, Safety, Examination, Surveillance, Travel, Occupation

Pro-Tip: Try to find a local airport with less traffic, or stage your shots in an alternative facility or studio that can be “cheated” as an airport security checkpoint with close-ups and props.

Read the full brief here.

7. Creative Brief: Automated Assembly Lines

And last we got “Automated Assembly Lines.” This is a strong one for anyone working with 3D or Motion Design. Robots are quickly displacing humans in manufacturing plants, and that’s what they want in pictures.

Some ideas are robotic arms creating a product and assembly lines. Not only in the automotive industry, but also medical, electronic, welding, food service, and even law enforcement.

Suggested Keywords: AUTOAPRIL2019, Automation, Technology, Industry, Manufacturing, Engineering, Assembly, Innovation, Intelligence, Efficiency

Pro-Tip: Industries that successfully utilize automation include automotive, medical, electronics manufacturing, welding, food service, and law enforcement. It’s often handy to volunteer your services as a filmmaker or photographer at places in these sectors in exchange for keeping the footage. A proposal such as this can be the solution for obtaining access to an otherwise tough location.

Read the full brief here.

8. Babies with fruits and Vegetables

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/strawberry-in-hand-royalty-free-image/122181227

Finally, I’ll borrow this request from Getty Images Custom Content.

They’re looking for images with babies discovering and interacting with different fruits and vegetables. Not only eating but playing and satisfying their curiosity.

Key Requirements: 

  • Babies playing with ingredients showing curiosity, the awakening of senses, discovering food, touching, etc.
  • Playful staging of the ingredients. Think color, form, and textures.
  • Photographed outdoors, in nature, and some indoor. Must be all unknown, unrecognizable locations.
  • Some images can work as triptychs (think of an Instagram feed).
  • Clothing: dressed modern and trendy, simple or very colorful (see mood board).
  • Dishes/plates: wood, bamboo, plastic.

Technical Requirements:

  • Natural light.
  • Selective focus can be used to make specific objects stand out.
  • Square and vertical formats.
  • Shot ideas: from the front, from behind, wide field of view, tight shots on the expression of the face, the child’s hands, etc.

Read the full brief here.

Shoot & Sell – Mar 2019

For some reason, it took half of March until Shutterstock posted their requests. But, better later than never, here we are with the Shoot & Sell episode of this month!

This is a monthly episode I post with ideas on what you can work next to maximize your earnings selling stock footage & stock photography as well as the relevant news in this microstock world.

You can watch the content in the video above or just keep reading this article.

Don’t forget to check out our online course.

Before we head to the Shot List, let me pull your attention on a few important things happening on Shutterstock and Pond5 during these days.

The Shot List

And without further ado, let’s head to the shot list. These are actual requests made by the stock agencies. It is a good idea to work on them as fast as possible, but that doesn’t mean this is the only time they’re usable. They represent the real demand of stock customers, so if you’re looking for inspiration, be sure to watch the past episodes too.

As usual, this month they are coming from Shutterstock and Pond5, but you can upload and sell them on all stock agencies you work with.

Let’s go!

1. The Middle East

Falafel Bowl on Offset

Let’s start with this big opportunity to anyone living or traveling to the Middle East. And to be honest, you don’t even have to be there to explore this.

Shutterstock is searching for Cultural and religious elements of the Middle Eastern culture. That means any inspired cuisine including falafel, shawarma, and samosas as well as people enjoying shisha and hookahs. I’m sorry if I’m pronouncing it wrong. You can also explore cultural and religious observances pertaining to Ramadan.

As I said, you don’t have to travel to explore this as there is always a demand for how this culture is practiced in different places of the world.

An extra tip is Including people of diverse ethnicities and ages. And always be respectful when working with this or any other culture.

One more personal tip, if you have the opportunity to travel to Qatar before the Worldcup, that would be an awesome place to explore.

2. Tech of the Future

Woman touching air in VR glasses on Offset

Shutterstock is also requesting content related to the Tech of the Future. By that, they mean the latest technological advancements in multiple industries.

Some examples are facial recognition, video conferencing in inspirational environments, augmented reality and machine learning.

I can’t stress enough how impactful it will be to include people of diverse ethnicities, ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

3. Hiring

We are hiring sign on Shutterstock

Then we have a request for Hiring and New Jobs. That covers the recruitment process, welcoming new team members and any kind of sign like “We’re hiring,” “We want you,” or “Join our team”.

Shutterstock was very specific in these sentences so I would use them as keywords if I were you.

4. Elderly Citizens of the World

Senior stretching on Offset

The last Shutterstock request focus on senior citizens and the challenges they face during this stage of life.

Some ideas are seniors, as couples or friends, in everyday lifestyle scenarios.

Also, images depicting hearing aids, dentures, and memory loss conditions such as Alzheimer.

Caregivers are also a cool aspect to focus on.

5. Camping

Slow-Motion Portrait of Young Hiker in Norway by AilaImages

Pond5 has also 3 requests and there are keyword suggestions and extra tips for all of them. Find it in the text article in the link below.

And the first of them is Camping, especially couples.

That would be a couple putting up a tent, sitting by a fire talking or eating. You can also explore scenes like hiking, relaxing and activities like canoeing, surfing, etc.

Portraits will also work well.

Suggested Keywords: Recreation, Idyllic, Freedom, Healthy Lifestyles, Relaxation, Togetherness

Pro-Tip: Embrace the light. Subjects that primarily take place outdoors are prime for using natural light. Add a dog for extra credit. In addition, it’s important to remember that all ages are important when considering your casting choices.

6. Bullying

Teen Bullying by benjikat

Next, we have bullying. This subject has high demand but is still badly explored. Especially when it’s used to raise awareness of this issue. Most of the current content exaggerates too much and it might be a good idea to be careful with that.

Some ideas are a group of youths verbally bullying another youth, leaving someone out, hitting or pinching, breaking another’s possessions, rude gestures and even spitting.

It is a hard subject to work with and I would love to see what solutions you guys have found!

Suggested Keywords: Social Issues, Harassment, Intimidation, Threats, Domination, Exclusion, Anxiety, Despair

Pro-Tip: A variety of locations can provide the right location for your scenes. While most reported bullying happens in a school building, a significant percentage also happens in places like on the playground or on the bus. It can also happen traveling to or from school and in the youth’s neighborhood.

Casting Considerations: Ages 5 to 17 years, gender, and race diversity. Authenticity and diversity will play an important role in the success of your shoot.

7. Cafe Culture

Man Using Touchscreen Tablet in Cafe by AilaImages

And finally, Cafe Culture! The freelancer’s paradise.

Some ideas are someone making coffee, handing it to a customer, customer handing the credit card, someone sipping coffee while working on a laptop, tablet or phone, or reading a book or magazine. Portraits will also be a good idea in this case.

Suggested Keywords: Wireless Technology, Communication, Concentration, Tranquility, Independence, Connection

Pro-Tip: Utilizing areas of the cafe or changing up your setting can provide innumerable angles and concepts, such as placing your talent in big comfortable chairs and couches for a more relaxed vibe or at a communal table for those who want to strike up spontaneous dialogue or collaborate on work projects. (Beware of logos.)

Thanks!

Before we go, I want to invite you to enter in our facebook group “Stock Creators”. I think it is the best way to learn with all the community and be up-to-date with all that is going on.

Also, don’t forget to check out the online course and get a discounted price while there’s time.

I see you in the next days with good updates, I hope, on what Shutterstock and Pond5 are doing![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Shoot & Sell – Feb 2019

Subjects requested by stock agencies (Feb’19 Edition)

A new month means new opportunities to sell stock footage & stock photography. That is why CreativeInco.me publishes shot lists every month. So you get the best out of your photo & video sales.T

Before we go to the Shot List, I’d like to let you know there’s a whole new tutorial about how to organize your stock metadata into CSV files and apply them in stock agencies on multiple files at once. I also recorded another lesson about how to write keywords quickly and efficiently so you can speed up your workflow.

These 2 lessons are already available to all the students of our Online Course.

This is one of the last updates before I raise the price of the course, so if you’re not a student yet, hurry up!

The STOCK CREATORS online course is in sale during the month of February.

You can get it for a very small price using this discount coupon: SHOOT&SELL

Alright, let’s get to the requests. Starting with Shutterstock’s.

1. Animals in the Wild

https://www.offset.com/it/photos/two-hippopotamuses-fighting-506380

According to Shutterstock, the demand for Animal related stock photos, stock footage, and stock illustrations is higher than the offered content. They get more specific:

  •  
  • People viewing wildlife from licensed viewing points such as whale watching tours, or safaris.
  • Exotic animals in native habitats, such as llamas in Peru or lions in Africa.
  • Animals of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, such as bears, wolves, salmon, etc.
  • Oceanic creatures including octopuses, dolphins, and whales.

2. Plants

https://www.offset.com/photos/interior-shot-of-healthy-plants-arranged-on-stands-765412

According to designer Kenny Colvin:

One trend that will be at the forefront of home interior design in 2019 is big, bold plants. … The bigger, the better here.

– Kenny Colvin, Designer

And since Interior Design has a strong influence on stock agencies, this request makes all the sense.

  •  
  • Photos and illustrations of modern plants, herbs, and flora in beautiful locations, indoors and outdoors
  • Product hero and lifestyle imagery of natural plants and people interacting with them.
  • Tall cacti, banana plants, and palm trees in beautiful destinations such as Joshua Tree or Hawaii.
  • Edible flowers, and natural herbs/botanicals such as turmeric, matcha, and parsley.
  • Cherry blossoms, peonies, dandelions, and other spring flowers.

3. Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Specialized Assistance

https://www.offset.com/photos/portrait-of-a-little-girl-smiling-89124
  • Diverse images that showcase these disorders in real-life situations.
  • Specialized assistance for adults and children who live with neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • People with disabilities in specialized learning programs.
  • Children and adults along the autism spectrum. Examples include people in solitary environments, listening to music, or using tablets as learning tools.
  • Adults and children with vision or hearing impairments.

4. Recycling

Pond5 is requesting recycling content.

  • Dropping plastic, paper, and cardboard items into recycling bins
  • Taking recycling bin to the curbside
  • Portraits with a recycling bin
  • Pro-Tip: The recycling symbol is in the public domain and is not a trademark, so it’s free to use. As far as propping your recyclable goods (NO LOGOS) the following list pertains to the top ten items:
    • 1. Cardboard
    • 2. Paper
    • 3. Food Boxes
    • 4. Mail
    • 5. Beverage Cans
    • 6. Food Cans
    • 7. Glass Bottles
    • 8. Jars (Glass and Plastic)
    • 9. Jugs
    • 10. Plastic Bottles and Caps

Suggested Keywords: Reuse, Eco-Friendly, Environment, Conservation, Sustainable, Resources

5. Boxing

The second Pond5 request is Boxing. With its focus on training, competition, perseverance, and discipline, it is loaded with conceptual ideas that bleed much further into themes beyond its literal interpretation.

  • Shadow boxing
  • Throwing fists toward the camera
  • Hitting bag
  • Jump roping
  • Training with battle rope
  • Situps/pushups
  • Boxer portraits
  • Boxer hitting pads
  • Wrapping/taping hands

Suggested Keywords: Toughness, Energy, Preparation, Dedication, Aggression, Competitiveness, Strength, Endurance

6. Superheroes

The last Pond5 request this month is about superheroes. With the continued popularity of superheroes in mainstream culture, buyers are always looking for aspirational imagery of kids in costume to reflect heroic ambitions and potential. Surprisingly, we”re in short supply for this highly in-demand theme.

  • Portrait of boy or girl in a superhero costume
  • Boy or girl flexing their muscles in a superhero costume
  • Boy or girl running in a superhero costume

Shoot & Sell series

Shoot & Sell is a series that I upload almost every month with ideas & insights on the next subjects you can shoot to increase your stock footage or stock photography income. If this is a subject that interests you or if living out of your creativity is among your plans, then you came to the right place. The subscribe button is down below!

the bestsellers of 2018

It is almost the end of January, but I think we can learn a lot taking a look at what files sold the most in the year of 2018 on stock agencies like Pond5, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, etc. This includes stock footage & stock photography.

I want to show you a bunch of the best selling video & image files in 2018 and some conclusions I learned analyzing them. This should give you cool insights into how successful contributors approach topics and visual references as well.

For a better experience, I strongly suggest you watch the video above. It’s made after the exact same content.

You might also enjoy reading about my own personal bestsellers.

Trendy vs. Evergreen

The main message I’m trying to communicate is: there are two significant types of content you could work on – the bestsellers of 2018 will make that clear. There is the trendy content and the evergreen content.

  • The trendy content includes photos, footage, illustrations of topics that have a growing interest. For example, the latest iPhone, Amazon’s Alexa, Self-driving cars, etc. Topics that are strong now and might get you good sales fast but may get old in the fast.
  • The evergreen content is made of perpetual subjects, that may not get you sales instantly but should take longer to become useless.

I’m not saying one is better than the other. I’m also not telling you to pick one. I’m just showing you two alternatives to work on.

My Brazilian flag video, for example, was a big success in 2014 during the WorldCup and in 2016 during the Olympic games (trendy content), when both happened in Brazil. However, it is still useful these days to anyone searching for the topic “Brazil” (evergreen content).

I hope this trendy and evergreen stuff makes sense to you…

2018 Bestsellers on Stock Agencies

Now let’s talk about the 2018 bestsellers on Stock Agencies. Unfortunately, no stock agency discloses decent data on which files sold the most during a year.

The best resource comes from Pond5. A list of at least 20 videos and 20 images that they post every month. I won’t show you this 500 files here, but you can check each month’s best selling files here:

There’s also no way to find out the order of which stock photos/videos sold the more. So I’m organizing them in categories.

1.Aerial

2018 was the year of aerial shots. At least 45 of the best selling video clips were made with drones. The category is growing so much that DJI and Pond5 partnered to curate and promote the best aerial shots made by drone operators.

The competition is enormous too. If you search for “aerial” on Shutterstock, you will get way more than a million results.

Having aerial shots doesn’t mean you’ll have sales. So try to explore what subjects or what locations still lack good aerial options.

And if you think drones are the only way to produce aerial shots, then you’re wrong. Take a look at this bestseller zooming into the Pentagon. Do you really believe one would be able to fly over the Pentagon?

I mean, this guy deserves it. He probably took a screenshot from Google Earth. Applied some zooming. Blurred out the edges and added some cars in After Effects. This probably took him less than an hour and there he is. One of the bestsellers in 2018.

2. 2D & 3D Animations

At least 33 bestsellers are made with 2D or 3D animations. Some of them are extremely realistic and probably done by a team of 3D professionals. A few others are quite simple to reproduce and still communicate the concept very well.

I personally like this one of the Mona Lisa painting. A very creative way to animate a famous static image. This is editorial, of course.

3. Portraits

Portraits are a perfect example of evergreen content. They have been among the bestsellers for a while and should stay for a good time. One common thing among these files is how well they communicate cultural diversity. It might be age, the activity, the profession, the clothing, the background, etc. This kind of shot can be used in innumerable ways.

I like this one with the girl putting a VR headset. The background has a guy walking with a paper and a team sitting by a desk which makes it clear that they are game designers. The colors, her clothes, and her style are all very well selected. This is surely produced by a team.

4. Objects

The objects category is another example of long duration content and quite easy to be reproduced. The bestsellers in this category are all flawlessly focused on specific subjects and concepts. Creative angles and isolated background seem to be the key to make your files stand out in the crowd.

I’ve seen this video with the showerhead in many other agencies too. The way the camera is positioned is pretty creative and makes the shot unique. Also, notice how the subject is isolated with nothing in the background.

5. News

We can not ignore how much the news affect sales on stock agencies. Poverty, wars, politics and even sports events have a strong influence on what is selling. The multiple storms during the year, the wildfires, and other natural disasters were responsible for some bestsellers too.

This kind of content is usually submitted as editorial. So it might be a good idea to work on creative ways to explore this content under commercial usage.

This one is among the bestsellers and was submitted as commercial. It’s not visually appealing like the others. But the fact that you can’t recognize the place makes it possible to be used for other storms too. I don’t doubt the author of this clip changes the title every time there is a new hurricane, no matter where.

6. Vintage

In the same line, the vintage category is growing stronger every year. I believe most of them are made after public domain content adding some effects on top. Pond5 seems to bring better results than the others in this category because they allow multiple takes in the same clip. This is a dangerous area because the rules are not clear about what is public domain and what you can really make with it.

Some contributors are also making good sales by reproducing these old shots. This astronaut, for example, is clearly not Neil Armstrong.

7. Self-driving Cars

Self-driving cars was a strong subject last year and will keep getting stronger in the future. You can’t easily get one of this cars, but you can definitely reproduce the concept.

This example among the bestsellers is my favorite. If you look closely, you can even see a glimpse of what should be the arm of a person turning the wheel. This proves how you don’t need a self-driving car to work on this subject.

8. Other Categories

And here are some more categories that were always in the bestsellers and will only get you sales with high-quality files or very specific shots. They are Sports, Family, Technology, Business, Nature, and Education.

A good part of the best selling files is made of these categories. There are already thousands of excellent options for the buyer, so you have to be smart if you plan to explore them. One way to do it is getting very specific like this one explores Paralympic race and this one shows a man using technology in agriculture, a unique background.

There are actually way more bestselling files and categories than the ones I showed you. Just to mention some of them:

What about you?

And now I want to know about you. What were your bestsellers in 2018? If there’s a good number of people participating, I guess we can do a video with our own bestsellers and the lessons learned.

After all, this is how Creative Income works. We’re a community learning to achieve financial freedom together.

What to Shoot – Jan 2019

what is selling as stock footage and stock photography in january 2019

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Wondering what to shoot in December and January to increase your income with Stock Footage & Stock Photography? You can read the text content below or watch the video made after the same script.

Oh, I finally launched my Online Course on Stock Footage & Photography. The original price is $35 but I’ll keep the Udemy promotion price for a little longer. So you can actually buy it for less than $20 if you do it soon! I’ll constantly update it with advanced stock techniques and raise its price as well. So here’s your Christmas gift!

The Shot List

Ok, let’s go to the shot list!

As I always say, these suggestions come from Shutterstock, Pond5 and Getty Images. But they represent a true demand of the whole market.

The requests were made in the month of December of 2018 but that doesn’t mean this is the only month they’ll sell. They’re normally evergreen content and a true demand from stock customers. So if this is the first video you’re watching, I do suggest you also watch the other episodes I did in previous months for more insights.

Fashion & Design

So let’s get started with Pond5. They’re doing a request on Fashion & Design related content. If you decide to work on any of these 3 following sub-topics, you can find suggested keywords in this link.

1. Design Teams

“Design Teams” is one example. All kind of shots that represent a group of people working on ideas and creativity will be fantastic for this. Designers with a team leader around workstation while passing materials to each other. Environmental designers studying architectural models & plans. Designers reviewing mood boards or posting notes on glass or wall.

You can also focus on individuals like a designer on his computer, sketching with pencils or even texting and making calls. There’s a lot of texting and calling material on the market right now, but if somehow you manage to represent a designer talking to his client, I think you should make good results.

Suggested Keywords: Creativity, Innovation, Planning, Occupation, Cooperation, Strategy, Skill, Expertise

Pro-Tip: Avoid high key lighting and minimal set dressing, which usually happens on shoots with themes such as these. Make it feel real.

2. Fashion Designer

If you can, narrow the focus a little bit more to fashion designers. This subject seems to have a big demand but low supply. So it is definitely a good opportunity. Even now, I couldn’t find enough examples to reproduce:

A Designer flipping through clothes, studying drawings, inspiration boards on a wall, using a sewing machine to stitch fabric, draping, pinning and measuring fabric on model or mannequin and even taking a photo of a dress and sending it via text.

Suggested Keywords: Measurement, Precision, Innovation, Concentration, Preparation, Individuality, Ambition, Occupation

Pro-Tip: It’s highly recommended that you hire a real fashion designer. Get coverage with a variety of angles on your subject. In addition, adding a cell phone conversation and texting scenario to a few setups is worth the effort.

Casting Considerations: 23 years and up, gender and race diversity.

3. Fashion Shoot

Along the fashion line, there’s also a big demand for fashion shoots. As funny as it sounds. The point is: there’s already a ton of fashion photos & footage on stock agencies. But not enough shots of the professionals behind it. For example:

A fashion model in front of a mirror with a stylist and a makeup artist. A photographer conversing with a stylist. Photographer and model interactions such as talking and even getting the shots. Assistants capturing RAW images, a series of poses, and the reviewal of the work on a laptop.

Suggested Keywords: Creativity, Focus, Connection, Glamour, Concentration, Fashion Industry, Occupation

Pro-Tip: It’s more about the process and the attitude, rather than the focus being on the clothes. With that said, the clothes should be as contemporary as possible. Avoid fashion trends that can be fleeting. Get coverage with a variety of angles on your subject. Other than a model, a band, athlete, or “celebrity” type would work well.

Business

Pond5 is also requesting stock images & stock video clips of specific business events. The business category already has strong competition. So I would avoid making the classic stock style.

4. Press Conference

“Press conferences” is one of them. You can try an actor behind a desk with a variety of microphones on his front. An actor behind microphones, recorders, and phones. A reporter raising a hand to ask a question. Actor pointing to the reporter with a raised hand, etc.

Suggested Keywords: Technology, Media, Journalism, Press Conference, Communication, Information, Interview, Persuasion, Announcement

Pro-Tip: Casting and revolving talent that represents a politician, a celebrity, an athlete, and so on can stretch your shoot to hit a variety of important targets, including those related to entertainment.

5. Business Seminar

In a very similar scenario, “business seminar” is also a request. Try to capture a variety of angles and perspectives from both the speaker and the audience.

Suggested Keywords: Education, Communication, Strategy, Inspiration, Development, Entrepreneur

Pro-Tip: Capturing a variety of angles and perspectives from both the speaker and audience positions are key to a successful shoot. A candid or editorial-style camera approach could work as an added perspective to that of a participant.

6. Windows and Glass

The combination of glass or other transparent elements in business shots is something really trendy these days. The glass reflection on cityscape, businessperson, conference meeting, etc should result in something pretty original. Writing on the glass is also a very cool idea and simple to reproduce.

 

 

Disabilities

GettyImages came up with a very specific request that I really believe should make good sales in the future.

7. Blindness & Deafness

They’re searching for authentic representations of individuals living with visual and hearing impairments doing daily activities.

Capture the models having a conversation with sign language, reading braille, going shopping, traveling, getting ready for the day and more. We want to see people of the deaf and blind community enjoying themselves with friends and family.

  • Real people: Always use actual persons with disabilities to represent people with disabilities.
  • Dignity: Make sure the images represent the subject respectfully. Keeping camera angles on the same eye level or below are recommended vs. “looking down.
  • Humanize: Show a whole person in an image rather than only an assistive device prosthetic limb, assistive technology, or other accommodation. Bring their whole self to the photo.

8. Inclusive Sports

Inclusive sports is another strong subject. People with and without disabilities playing together. The disability shouldn’t be the focus of the image. Focus on the engagement instead. You can also consider showcasing the diversity of sporting equipment.

Capture the joy of people with and without disabilities playing sports together. We want to see inclusivity with active players engaged in the game, where the disability is not the main focus of the image. – whether it is training, competition, victory, loss, and everything in between.

  • Some suggested sports include, but are not limited to: tennis, soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, cycling, kayaking or running; as well as fitness activities such as yoga, pilates or dancing.
  • Consider showcasing the diversity of sporting equipment such as gripping gloves, adaptive cross trainers, railings, or pool lifts.
  • Remember to illustrate people from different ethnicities, including African-American, Asian, Hispanic, not only Caucasian; and a wide age range from children to seniors.

9. Tech

And to close, we have the Shutterstock requests. The first one is related to the latest phones, tablets, laptops and smart technology. It might be a good idea to avoid recognizable logos and trademarks.

You can focus on smart technology in action, like smart homes, voice assistants, facial recognition, cybersecurity, etc.

10. Plant-based Food

Plant-based food is another request. That means colorful, healthy foods in flatlays and stylized settings. Poke bowls in lifestyle environments, avocado toast, and groups of people having fun around this kind of food.

Extra requests for January

The following requests were made by Shutterstock in January, so they’re not in the video above.

11. International Women’s Day

  • Inspirational photographs celebrating women’s equality and achievements.
  • Groups of diverse women in the workplace and beyond.
  • Women shattering traditional stereotypes and working in a variety of careers.
  • Friendships among women.
  • Working parents balancing home life and work life.
  • People of all genders celebrating and fighting for women’s rights and gender equality.

12. Spring Sports

  • Baseball, basketball, softball, and other outdoor sports activities.
  • Sports specific to your area of the world.
  • People of diverse ages, genders, and ethnicities having fun playing sports outdoors.
  • Unique sports such as motocross, mountain biking, kayaking, and horse racing.
  • People wearing proper safety gear for the sport they’re playing.

13. Global Awareness

  • Content showcasing the diversity of global cultures and experiences.
  • Images depicting equality, diversity, and the interconnectedness of the human experience.
  • Diverse people around the world campaigning for human rights.
  • People displaying a wide range of emotions in real-world environments.
  • People speaking to large audiences about global issues, including climate change.
  • People of diverse backgrounds and abilities in real-world situations.

14. Skin care

  • People applying skincare remedies to acne-prone skin.
  • Product hero images of natural skin care remedies.
  • Flat lays of skincare remedies styled with natural materials.
  • People at a dermatologist’s office.
  • Images showing the effect that junk foods such as candy, chocolate, and sweets can have on the complexion.
  • Models of various ages, genders, abilities, and ethnicities.

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Shoot & Sell – October 2018

Drone (and not) subject ideas that sould get good sales on stock agencies.

Here are a few suggestions coming from Shutterstock, Pond5 and Getty Images. They represent a true demand of the whole market. Most of them will be useful for all kind of arts. So no matter if you do video, photo, motion graphics, illustrations, etc. These insights can be used in every art, in every agency.

1. Aerial Filmmaking

Drones are getting more popular each day and though there’s a big competition already, there are still categories with supply smaller than demand.

There are 3 categories with high demand on Pond5, for both Photography and Footage. Each category has a code that, if included in your file’s keywords, will let Pond5 know what you’re focusing on. I believe they use it to prioritize for approval and maybe include your file on featured packs.

1.1 Agricultural: this category is known for being always in demand and having no expiration date. Wheat fields, Cornfields, Vineyards, Patchwork, Fruit orchards, Tractors, Farms, and Grain Silos… These categories will always work well and can be even better with aerial shots. Some tips are trying to shoot low-flying shots at sunrise and sunset.

Suggested Keywords: Harvest, Organic, Arable Land, Cultivation, Vegetation
Keyword Code: AERIALOCT2018

 

1.2 Industries: Industrial subjects have always been a hot topic and are still underexplored when it comes to aerial shots. Here are some ideas: containers on a dock, on the ship, being loaded and unloaded; new cars on a dealership or shipping center, solar farm, wind turbines, construction sites, oil rigs on land or sea, factories, trains, oil refinery, etc. Tips are shooting wide enough to avoid release issues. Avoid logos or any other copyrighted features that are recognizable.

Suggested Keywords: Distribution, Commerce, Industry, Transportation, Production, Trade
Keyword Code: INDUSOCT2018

 

1.3 Villages and Suburban: Different global clients look for images representing how people live around the world. There’s a big demand for Suburban track homes and neighborhoods, but also apartment buildings, condominiums, parks, commercial streets, small to big stadiums and courts, etc.

Suggested Keywords: Community, Development, Subdivision, Suburbia, Construction, Architecture, Neighborhood
Keyword Code: SUBOCT2018

 

2. Global Holidays

You might think Christmas is a saturated topic – and you’re right. Cause it is.

But it’s still a big market and a golden pot if you explore it the right way. One good example is exploring its celebration in different countries.

There’s a high demand for images and videos of Christmas and other holidays being celebrated in Austria, Brazil, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Malaysia, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and Thailand.

You can explore celebrations such as (forgive my pronunciation) Hanukkah, Purim, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Chinese New Year and its year’s animal.

I know, it’s not Christmas time yet, but there are a few strategies you can use: Search for old materials stored in your HD, reproduce a small Christmas celebration or at least be prepared for when Christmas comes so your content is online to be sold next year.

If you live in any of these countries, try to achieve authentic feelings with real people on real scenarios. Forget the classical stock agency look and what tourists would often focus on.

Illustrators can also explore the birth of Jesus, including Jerusalem, the three wise men, nativity scenes, baby Jesus on a manger, etc.

 

3. Vacation Mode

Also connected to Holidays there’s a request from Shutterstock they call Vacation Mode.

It is all about winter vacations, and people heading to celebrations in the winter time.
Winter activities including traveling down a winter road, snowshoeing, enjoying a fire in the snow, and ski trips.

Trips to warm destinations will also sell. Beach activities, pool activities, etc.

 

4. Self-Improvement

And last comes another Shutterstock request on Self-Improvement. Especially for lifestyle changes influenced by the New Year.

That means representing people starting or researching diets; mind-body improvements, such as meditation and yoga; Goal setting and writing down resolutions; Healthy eating habits, etc. Try to mix the common healthy lifestyle content with New Year’s resolutions.

 

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What to Shoot – September 2018

These 9 subjects can increase your stock sales in September 2018

Pond5 and Shutterstock have already released their shot lists for September. Although each agency has its specific needs, they represent a real demand of the whole market.

These trends are useful for whatever the kind of art you do. Video, photo, motion, 3d, vectors, etc. Apply the trending style for your type of art, and you should get excellent results out of it.

As always, the agencies are planning for the next months, and you might find it is still too early for some of the suggested topics. So do remember that agencies and companies also anticipate the work on their marketing campaigns.

 

1. Holiday Decor & Parties

The first example comes from Shutterstock, listing Holiday Parties & Decoration as a hot topic to work on.

– Every kind of image representing thanksgiving or shot in a Thanksgiving-themed scenario should do well. Searches are big for images representing kindness, giving thanks, family meals, and celebrations.
– Use your creativity for alcoholic drinks like champagne, whiskey, or mulled wine.
– If you can, work on Christmas decorations such as mistletoe, holly, garlands, confetti, glitter, and tinsel.
– Kitschy and exaggerated holiday elements and events are also trending. Ugly Christmas Sweater parties and Secret Santa surprises are a few examples. Try to get as weird as possible.
– On the other hand, there’s still a big demand for holiday-themed table settings. This is a saturated subject, so explore it with the current image trends. Flat lays are the perfect example for 2018.

 

2. Sale Shopping

As Black Friday and other global sales approach, there’s a big demand for assets representing this subject.

– Both online & inside store images will do well.
– People using a credit card in-store or at home, people of different ages and style browsing an e-commerce website, etc
– There’s also a big demand for vectors that can work for cards, coupons, or sale flyers.

 

3. Winter

The third request from Shutterstock is related to the coming of winter in the northern hemisphere.

– Although there’s still not enough snow out there, this is an excellent opportunity if you have old files inside your HD. Now is the time to bring them back to life. Falling of snow, close-ups of snow and snowflakes should get beautiful results.
– Illustrators and motiongraphers can also make good use of the high demand while many filmmakers and photographers aren’t able to do it.
– Every kind of winter sport & activity is also worth the shot. Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, etc. As well as winter animals like penguins, polar bears, and moose.
– Try some shots of people enjoying winter beverages like hot cocoa and mulled wine (as mentioned before). Both indoor & outdoor, also people enjoying a holiday fire.

 

4. School & Education

And the last request from Shutterstock is related to school & education.

– Educational tools such as whiteboards, chalkboards, podiums, and craft supplies. There’s also demand for arts and crafts like scissors, rulers, collages, watercolors, and oil paints. These are cool objects for flatlays.
– Graduations celebrations like people receiving diplomas and awards.
– Another cool suggestion is organized team sports like basketball, badminton, hockey, and soccer as well as images picturing winning awards like trophies and podiums, and even speeches on podiums.

 

5. Pickup games

Pond5 is also making 3 requests for this month. The first one is connected to the approaching of the basketball season.

Especially to images and footage of people practicing the sport on urban scenarios. Pond5 gets specific with angle ideas and insights for keywords. Before heading to that path, be sure to read the entire suggestion. Players celebrating a victory, practicing, dribbling, texting on phones, etc.

As always, focus on different ages and race diversity to enforce the authenticity of your shot.

 

 

6. Rooftop parties

Rooftop parties are a great way to end the summer and a subject often requested by stock clients.

Images of friends toasting, dancing, eating, preparing barbecue, group selfies, etc. These are all cool ideas with increasing demand, especially from the food & beverage industry.

Try different shots with and without alcoholic beverages to ensure it will fit all needs. Adapting this to different cultures might also get good results.

 

7. Working late

The last Pond5 request is for images & videos of people working late. This is a hot topic in the health & business world and can be made in every country of the world.

Some ideas are evening shots of an executive eating at the desk, printing documents, shuffling through papers, rubbing eyes, working on a computer desk with a single desk lamp or screen light.

Just be sure to keep it as real as possible and give it a natural look. Avoid exaggerating on the subject’s tiredness.

 

8. Working Outside

Getty Images also revealed there’s a growing demand for images and videos of people working outside their office in authentic and diverse environments like cars, trains, cafés, and outdoor spaces. The model should be using a tablet, phone, laptop, and even virtual reality devices.

As always, target for diverse ethnicities, ages, looks, etc.

 

9. Seniors in Healthy Lifestyle

There’s a high demand for African American and Latino models living on a healthy lifestyle.

Diversity is the key here, as there are already too many images of Caucasian models.

Seniors wearing athletic but casual wear and interaction in casual environments like coffee shops, parks, casual dinners, etc. Not only practicing a sport but also socializing.

Subtle inclusion of technology as smartwatches and fitness trackers are also welcome.

 

 

Stock-related news of September

1. Vimeo Launches Vimeo Stock

The biggest story of the month is Vimeo announcing their new royalty-free video marketplace – Vimeo Stock.

Their CEO says their goal is to set a new standard for creative footage & put more money in contributors’ pockets. Though some might hear it as cheap talk, they seem to be promising 60-70 percent of the revenue to the contributors. That is way above Shutterstock’s 30% or Adobe’s 35%.

For now, they’re only accepting invited contributors and say they aren’t yet looking for more submissions but will be in the future. You can show your interest to be part of the collection by filling a form in which they say they’re prioritizing submissions from creators interested in selling exclusively.

HD files are being sold for $79, while 4K files are sold for $199. That’s for non-exclusive files.

Exclusive files prices are $299 for HD and $499 for 4K.

I got to say I’m curious to check how often these non-exclusive files will sell. So I’m not sure if they’ll keep these prices for too long. The only thing I want to believe is that they won’t change this commision rates later.

2. Storyblocks Update

Talking about that, In our last video, we discussed the controversial fact of Storyblocks changing their commission structure and adding a rate of 50% on their video sales.

The company sent a new email telling about the feedback received and the concern with the member price for HD footage set at $49 and decided to raise their HD price to $79.

So by October 15, Storyblocks guests will be charged $79 per clip. The same price will be charged from members; the difference is that they’ll get a 10% instant rebate after checking out.

They will also no longer collect a guest fee from nonmember purchases.

After these changes, you’ll now get $35.55 per clip sold to Storyblocks members and $39.50 per clip sold to a nonmember.

We all want to believe these changes were made with contributors in mind, not just for the good of the company. Only time will let us know.

 

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