Welcome to the first-ever guest earnings report here at the Brutally Honest blog! I’m excited to introduce David Moreno, a seasoned stock photographer from Murcia, Spain, who has spent the past six years navigating the ever-changing world of stock photography.

In this guest-post, David shares his journey, the highs, the lows, and the lessons he has learned, along with a transparent look at his earnings for the month of January 2025. Whether you’re a fellow contributor or just curious about the realities of stock photography/videography, there’s plenty to take away from his experience. Vámonos, David!

David’s Journey in Stock Photography: A Personal Insight into his Earnings and Experiences

Hello everyone! My name is David, and I am thrilled to share my journey as a stock photographer. Originally from Murcia, Spain, where I have been actively contributing to stock agencies for the past six years.

My passion for photography began as a hobby, but it quickly evolved into a fulfilling side venture. I specialize in travel photography, capturing landscapes and cultures from around the world. However, over the years, I have discovered that diversifying my portfolio has been beneficial. Also, I have explored different types of niches that I have access to, which have proven to work quite well in the stock market.

My journey hasn’t been a smooth sailing. In the beginning, I struggled to make money from my stock photography. Despite putting in countless hours capturing images, the returns were minimal. It was disheartening at times, but I knew I had to adapt and find a way to stand out in a competitive market.

After some reflection, I decided to focus more on creating videos. Initially, I could only afford an entry-level camera, a Nikon 5200, paired with a 50mm fixed lens. I could record in HD only and at a maximum rate of 50 fps. But it was enough to earn a bit more, so I decided to invest into this upgrading to a Sony Alpha 3 with multiple lenses. This shift has truly marked a turning point in my career opening up new opportunities for me.

Throughout this journey, I’ve also experienced some personal triumphs that have motivated me further:

• My Brother on Television: One of the most exciting moments was seeing my brother appear in a fishing advertisement on TV. Not only was it a significant achievement for him, but it also served as an inspiration for me.
• A Drone Video in “Squid Game”: Another memorable moment was when one of my drone videos was featured in the hit series “Squid Game.” I never expected my work to gain such recognition. Interestingly, they purchased it by mistake while searching for a clip of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Alex’s birth-town of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. However, I had clearly labeled my video as showcasing a replica of the statue which is in Spain. This mix-up led to some amusing reactions, and many people joked about their error. Take a look here

• An Unexpected Appearance on British TV: Additionally, I had a memorable experience when a video I shot of an octopus interacting with a camera I had positioned underwater aired on a British program I wasn’t familiar with. It was thrilling to see my work showcased in a new context. Here you can see where it appeared.

As I entered the new year, my main goal was to keep up the momentum I’ve built over the past few months by surpassing the $1,000 mark in monthly earnings. Reaching this milestone has been incredibly motivating. However, I was hesitant about my ability to achieve it, as January is typically not a strong month for me. I was right to do so.

Also, I am particularly excited about my recent acceptance into platforms like Storyblocks (after applying) and Tongro. While I do not yet have enough data to determine their long-term viability, I believe it is worth exploring these new avenues. Diversifying my distribution channels could open doors to fresh markets and audiences, which is always an exciting prospect.

Now, let us move onto my January earnings.

David’s Monthly Earnings Breakdown

Image Earnings (USD)

Agency	Number of Images in port	Net Revenue Dec	Avg Return Per Download
Adobe Stock	1,781	18	0.78
Shutterstock	3,158	15	0.26
Istock	1,964	14	0.24
Westend61	44	9	N/A
Dreamstime	1,880	6	0.91
Addictive	39	2	N/A
Cavanimages	38	2	Not available (distributor)
Alamy	2,701	2	2
Depositphotos	2,039	1	0.23
Total		69

Clip Earnings (USD)

Agency	Number of clips in port	Net Revenue for Dec	Avg Return per Download
Shutterstock	4,947	204	5.25
iStock	2,278	112	2.42
Adobe Stock	3,771	108	3.85
Envato	1,608	56	N/A
Blackbox	1,794	53	N/A
Pond5	3,957	50	50
Motion Array	722	45	0.11
Dissolve	542	16	16
Cavanimages	64	12	N/A
Addictive Stock	21	0	N/A
Westend61	114	0	N/A
Storyblocks	1,120 (all pending)	0	N/A
Tongro	366 (552 pending)	0	N/A
Total		656

Grand Total: $725

Thoughts on the month

Quite disappointing on the images side. However, I haven’t uploaded any new images in a while. So it is what it is. Overall, this month hasn’t been one of my best, but it’s not my worst either. No standout sales, just small, steady numbers across the board. But hey, it’s January, it’s normal. I’d say this has been a pretty standard January for me, maybe slightly better than last year’s. Nothing too exciting. Let’s hope for a better February!

Breakdown between agencies

I wanted to give you a glimpse of my top-selling items this month across various agencies, hoping it might inspire or help others on their own journeys. However, I want to be cautious and not go into too much detail, as I don’t want to run into any issues with the agencies. I hope you understand!

SS Highlights:

I’ve had some standout clips that made quite an impact, these three alone earned me over $80.

Istock highlights:

The following clip has been selling quite well, and this month was not different.

Adobe Stock achievements:

At AS, I’m pleased to report that my top earners this month have seen several downloads, bringing me over $50.

Envato Insights:

This month on Envato, I noticed some of my most downloaded clips are really catching attention.

Blackbox steady sales:

This video of people watching sunset at the beach has sold several times earning me $26,64 in total.

Pond5 Success:

I had a noteworthy sale on Pond5 where one clip sold for almost $50. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love creating and sharing my work.

Motion Array most sold:

There’s a particular clip that’s been selling really well lately, and while I can’t see the exact earnings, it definitely gives us some insight into what buyers are looking for on the platform.

Insights

This past month has been incredibly hectic with school, leaving me little time to focus on creating new content. The limited time I did have was mostly spent exploring two new agencies, Tongro and Storyblocks. Unfortunately, despite my efforts, I haven’t seen any results from them yet. I did manage to upload four small batches of content that reflect my recent experiences.

The first batch includes footage from a wedding celebration I attended. While the clips may not be groundbreaking, I believe their universal appeal could attract buyers seeking relatable and authentic content.

The second batch features several drone shots of my friends climbing in the mountains. These dynamic and eye-catching visuals have strong sales potential, especially for travel agencies, outdoor brands, and adventure tourism companies.

The third batch is a collection of footage from a walk I took with friends along some abandoned train tracks. The visuals capture the charm of the forgotten route and its raw, rustic beauty.

Finally, the fourth batch was inspired by a request from a friend who asked me to help promote his new sofa models. There was no script or structured plan, just me with a drone and a camera (without even a gimbal). He wasn’t sure what direction to take, so I improvised, capturing shots that felt right in the moment.

Surprisingly, the shoot resulted in some compelling footage, and I’ve uploaded a few of the best shots to stock agencies. One image, in particular, has stood out and received great feedback. It’s a reminder that even unscripted, spontaneous moments can produce visuals with strong stock potential. I’m sharing it here as inspiration! Could be a book cover as Alex is always discussing!

How much do I expect to earn from new content

In terms of earnings, I expect modest returns from these uploads. Based on my previous experiences. I anticipate seeing initial sales within four to six weeks, with gradual increases in earnings as visibility grows. But as things are lately you never know!

Thoughts on my historical earnings

As for my monthly income, I did not achieved the expectations I set for myself. One possible reason for the lower earnings is that I haven’t been as active in my uploads as I usually am. Additionally, it’s important to note that earnings from stock sites have decreased due to the annual Shutterstock reset, which adds another layer of challenge.

When reflecting on this month compared to others, it feels like a mixed bag. While I didn’t hit my targets, it’s essential to recognize that every month brings its own challenges and learning experiences. On average, this month has been less productive than previous ones, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of consistency and adaptability in this journey.

Despite these setbacks, I still hold onto hope for improvement next month. Only time will tell if my decision to invest my efforts in these new agencies was wise. The potential for growth and exposure is certainly there, but without immediate sales, it’s difficult to gauge the effectiveness of my strategy at this point.

Take a look at the following historical chart that outlines earnings over the past years. This will give a clearer picture of the progress and help identify trends in the performance.

Also, the next chart illustrates the total downloads from 2020 to 2024 together with RPD decline over the years, similar to what Alex outlined in his 2024 year-end report.

The above chart reveals a troubling trend where agencies are compensating contributors less over the years, coinciding with the decline in RPD from 2020 to 2024. As total downloads increase, agencies may prioritize volume over value, leading to reduced payouts for contributors. This shift raises concerns about fair compensation and sustainability within the industry.

Workflow

Over the past few years, I’ve tried several tools and strategies to enhance my workflow in stock photography. Initially, I used StockSubmitter, but I often encountered issues that left me uncertain about which files had been successfully uploaded to each agency. This inconsistency was frustrating and time-consuming.

I shifted my approach to how I am currently working, which is by first creating metadata in SS. I use AI for creating my titles and even the keywords out of them. Then I write them down on SS. Once I have everything organized there, I copy and paste those metadata details into the respective fields for each agency. This method allows me to maintain consistency across platforms while ensuring that all necessary information is accurately represented.

While uploading individually to each agency may take more time upfront, it has significantly improved my clarity and control over the submission process. This new strategy not only streamlines my workflow but also reduces the risk of errors, ultimately leading to a more efficient and productive experience in stock photography.

Challenges Faced

My journey in stock photography has been a roller-coaster of challenges and learning experiences, filled with unexpected setbacks and valuable lessons. With Tongro Images, I initially saw what seemed to be a positive development—a subscription sale worth approximately $28. However, this sale was later excluded from the final sales report. After multiple inquiries, the agency clarified that the sale was actually a test download conducted by their team, apologizing for the confusion. Unfortunately, this meant I did not receive any payment for that download.

Adding to my frustrations, I faced an even more significant challenge when I was unexpectedly banned from AS due to mismatched releases on several shots. The sudden ban felt like a punch to the gut, leading to three exhausting months of back-and-forth communication with their support team. After countless emails and discussions, I ultimately agreed to delete certain clips to have the ban lifted. This experience served as a harsh reminder of the critical importance of meticulous documentation and compliance.

To make matters worse, during this three-month period, payments related to Firefly and Datasets were processed, but I did not receive any compensation for the training of the Artificial Intelligence system. According to AS, this was because my content had not been selected for use in AI training.

To sum it up, while juggling multiple agencies can be overwhelming, I’ve learned that investing time upfront to ensure everything is done correctly ultimately saves both time and money in the long run. It’s a tough lesson, but one that has made me more diligent and resilient in my stock photography endeavors.

Favorite and least favourite agency

Given that my earnings from images have been minimal, I’ve decided to concentrate on video when deciding my favorite stock agency this month. One agency has clearly stood out on video selling: SS.

It’s not a surprise, SS has always been my most consistent performer. My videos sell better there, and I see higher earnings for reasons, I actually don’t understand why, unlike other platforms (looking at you, AS), which never seem to fully take off.

Beyond sales, the platform itself is easy to use. Uploading videos is simple, tracking stats is straightforward. It is not my best month there, but if I had to pick a winner this month, SS takes the crown.

In contrast, Motion Array wins the “Scam of the Month” Award MA has officially reached new levels of nonsense. Here’s what’s been happening: Every so often, my earnings mysteriously drop. The dashboard tells me I’ve earned a certain amount, but then—like magic—that number gets cut down a third or even in half. Meanwhile, my content keeps selling, downloads are still happening, but my balance keeps shrinking. I’ve contacted support six times, and every time, I get the same vague excuses: something about dashboard issues, catalog changes, and how things will “stabilize in the coming months.” No real explanation, no transparency—just empty words while my earnings vanish. This isn’t just a glitch. It’s a complete lack of professionalism.

Goals and conclusion

I have several upcoming shoots lined up that I am eager to dive into. From my terrace, I have the unique advantage of flying my drone to capture aerial shots of the nearby agricultural fields. I am also keen on capturing footage of livestock farmers caring for their animals. As the month progresses.

Additionally, I will be revisiting the shoot for my friend with the sofas, this time focusing on more careful planning of shots, incorporating additional elements, and putting more effort into the set. I plan to dedicate time to meticulously plan these shoots, ensuring that I capture high- quality content that will stand out.

Looking ahead, I remain optimistic about my earnings. I will continue to invest in platforms like Tongro and Storyblocks while also uploading content to my usual agencies. This diversified approach should help maximize my income potential in the future.

In conclusion, I encourage others to find a niche they have access to and that works for them as a starting point. By doing so, you will likely see positive feedback in terms of income from the beginning, which can motivate you to keep going. Gradually, this will help you improve as photographers and allow you to diversify your portfolio over time. In my case, I started with agriculture because my father is a farmer, giving me direct access to capture this niche, which has significantly helped me progress.

Thanks all for reading about my experience and wish you success in your own stock business and thank you Alex for this opportunity.

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About Alex

I’m an eccentric guy. I am based in Lisbon, Portugal. I am on a quest to visit all corners of the world. I want to capture stock images & footage. I’ve devoted ten years to making it as a travel photographer / videographer and freelance writer. I hope to inspire others by showing an unique insight into a fascinating business model while shaming scammers.

I’m proud to have written a book about my adventures which includes tips on making it as a stock travel photographer – Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock Photography