What stock footage sells TODAY?

So far I have tried to post some stuff about the surface level basics of shooting stock footage. I want to write a quick blurb about the thought process behind what sells, and some of the different angles you can approach shooting stock footage from that may improve your chances of success as a Stock Footage producer.

Stock footage has evolved, there are too many “standard” stock footage shots. Everyone already has access to them. How many times have you seen a time lapse sunset shot, a close up of a water drop in slow motion making waves? An abstract of waves rippling on a lake? A colorful blurred abstract background? A close-up of beautiful flower blowing gently in a summer breeze?

Historically, stock footage has been all about shooting VERY generic, standard shots in standard categories to create an all incompassing "Stock Footage Library." A production company would purchase the library to cover all of their stock footage needs. The licensing fees for using clips from these stock footage libraries was quite expensive and usually kept small independent producers away from purchasing the footage. Things have changed, and there is a MUCH larger pool of producers that need stock footage for music videos, websites, webisodes, commercials, indy films, student films, live events etc. but they aren't willing to purchase large libraries, and they are using stock footage to save money on their productions. And they usually have much more specialized or specific needs.

With the onset of micro-sites your stock footage is available to the entire world, shoot something unique, special, impressive, difficult to shoot, or creative and you will do very well. There still is a market for the standard, tried and true subject matter, but you better have a studio, high end camera equipment and lights, hire professional actors/models and have some experience shooting professional film or video. A popular topics that comes to mind is:

Business People - Meetings, making deals, on the phone, on a computer, working together, etc. Businesses put together video presentations all the time for marketing purposes, conventions, sales meetings, etc. They use them on websites, in power point presentations etc. That is a good target market because they don’t like to go and hire camera crews to shoot a 3 minute sales meeting video.

I’m not discouraging shooting this kind of footage, but starting out, it is much more rewarding to sell your unique eye to the world.

Here is an example of a unique shot that has done well for me.


I was able to get my HVX200 into the LA County Fair and shoot this POV shot as I slid down a colorful slide. I didn't have to hire any actors, rent a studio, lights, or production assistants. As of this posting, "Carnival Slide POV" has made me $542 from istockphoto.com sales. It consistently sells (on average) about once every month. That's not a bad trip to the County Fair! I'd say I covered my entrance fee and the $2 to go on the slide.

Find something unique to shoot... it doesn't always have to be a big production. Just watch out for recognizable faces, logos, or other things that will get your clip rejected.

Happy Shooting
HDCineman