Is Stock Photography and Video Worth It In 2025?

 

It's 2025 and the cost of goods, rent and gas prices has gone up. Majority of us are looking for ways to save money or make passive income. Many creators, like myself, are resorting into stock work to find additional income. 

It's been said many many years ago, stock work was good money. Now, do to competition there are more creators doing this type of work. How do we stand out amongst the others doing the same thing? So I ask myself..

On a daily basis I question this when I am about to upload to stock sites. I find myself doubting the process. But when I turn my head to bills, I'm reminded I have to make this work. 

I've been uploading with stock sites on a regular basis since January 2021. I uploaded perhaps few hundred videos + photos, many got denied. Not until 2022, I opened the account and saw buyers. When I saw $2 from a photo sold, it inspired me to go further into the process. It's now May, 2025 I have been uploading photos and videos almost four years. Some stock sites are more strict with their requirements, but often times it does get accepted. 

Here are some financials I've gained in Adobe lifetime $521.68. 

Adobe

Shutterstock

Pond5

I have learned that in order to be successful in these stock sites you have to do this;

1) Dedicate your time and be committed to uploading. Many successful stock contributors have uploaded thousands of content. I'm only reaching one hundred +

2) Study the popular downloads and try and create your own

3) Stick to a stock site that will provide a more fair payout. A stock site I am in - I'm not a fan of because of the payout. But the backend support and tech is great. So I keep it so I have tools to use for other stock sites. I explained that on a video...  

Looking at my payout, I ask myself, is it worth it in 2025? For me, yes! My plans are to work remote in the next two years, and any passive income I can start generating now would help us down the road. It does take a lot of work up front, but once the AI has figured out the keywords and buyers it eventually starts getting some pay. This process may not work for everyone, especially, if they are looking to make money quickly. "This is a marathon and not a sprint," per say.

If you are considering going in this direction, best to really analyze your situation and see if this even fits your time and schedule.

In the ever-evolving world of digital content, many photographers and videographers still ask: Is selling stock photos and videos worth it today? With AI-generated imagery, saturated marketplaces, and shifting buyer behavior, it’s a valid question—especially for creatives who once relied on passive income through stock libraries.

The State of Stock Media in 2025

Stock platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images, and Pond5 have grown to include millions of contributors. And with generative AI now producing realistic images and videos in seconds, competition has never been tougher. Yet, despite the saturation, stock media is still a viable income stream—if you approach it strategically.

Pros of Selling Stock Photos & Videos

1. Passive Income Potential
Once uploaded, your assets can generate money for years with minimal upkeep.

2. Global Reach
Stock marketplaces give you instant access to a global audience, from bloggers to Fortune 500 companies.

3. Skill Sharpening
Creating stock content helps improve your shooting, editing, and keywording skills—especially if you target high-demand niches.

4. Scalable
You can grow your portfolio over time and increase your chances of recurring sales.

Cons of Selling Stock Media

1. Low Royalties
Most platforms take a significant cut. Some contributors earn mere cents per download.

2. Oversaturation
Generic content rarely sells anymore. There’s an oversupply of landscapes, laptops on desks, and handshakes.

3. Time Investment
Curation, keywording, and uploading can be tedious, especially when dealing with hundreds of assets.

4. AI Disruption
AI-generated content is flooding platforms—both helping and hurting contributors depending on how you adapt.

Tips for Making It Worth It

• Find a Niche: Focus on underserved categories (e.g. Filipino street life, senior healthcare, niche hobbies, or multicultural business scenes).

• Think Commercial: Brands want real-world application—smiling families, working professionals, tech in action.

• Shoot Authentic & Diverse: Diversity and realism sell. Avoid overly posed or artificial scenes.

• Batch Uploads: Shoot in series and upload regularly to stay relevant in search results.

• Leverage Trends: Use Google Trends or platform-specific insights to predict what buyers will need next (e.g., remote work, AI, sustainability, urban mobility).

Final Thoughts

Is it worth it? If you treat stock like a business—understanding SEO, licensing models, buyer psychology, and visual storytelling—then yes, stock content can still be profitable in 2025. However, it’s not a “set it and forget it” model anymore. To succeed, creators must stay sharp, strategic, and adaptable in a marketplace that’s evolving fast.