Stock photography has always been a small but steady part of my creative income. It’s a way to earn a little extra from the photos, videos, and even AI-generated images that don’t make it into my fine art portfolio. Every few months, I like to pull back the curtain and share the real numbers — no hype, no inflated promises — just the truth about what stock photography looks like in 2025.

Scenic autumn landscape of a classic New England farm with colorful fall foliage, winding gravel road, rustic barns, and vibrant trees — example of a high-selling stock photography image for travel and landscape photographers. — A peaceful rural landscape featuring a classic New England farm nestled among rolling hills covered in autumn foliage. The scene glows with shades of orange, yellow, and green under a bright blue sky dotted with soft white clouds. A winding gravel road leads the viewer’s eye toward two weathered wooden barns and a cozy farmhouse, evoking a sense of timeless countryside charm.

💡 Why I Do Stock Photography

When I first started uploading to stock agencies, I used the extra income to help fund my travels. These days, I invest that money so I can travel even more — exploring new landscapes and capturing new wildlife and adventure content for Explore With Jason.

But before we go any further, let me make something clear: keep this a hobby. Stock photography isn’t going to pay your bills. Think of it as a creative side stream that rewards your consistency and helps fund your adventures.

Vibrant Arizona desert sunset over suburban rooftops with glowing orange and purple sky, example of a high-selling stock landscape photo capturing dramatic evening light. — A stunning Arizona sunset paints the sky with vivid hues of orange, pink, and purple. The warm light spills across the desert landscape, illuminating rows of rooftops and desert plants below. Distant mountains form a dark silhouette against the colorful sky, while the foreground reveals cholla cacti and desert brush. The photo captures the dramatic beauty of southwestern evenings.

🖼️ My Portfolio Breakdown

Right now, I’m contributing to three main agencies — Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and Getty Images.
Here’s where my work currently stands:

Shutterstock: 4,141 photos | 293 videos
Getty Images: 4,640 photos | 970 videos
Adobe Stock: 21,974 illustrations | 6,277 photos | 77 vectors | 791 videos

I still receive income from other platforms, but these three make up the core of my portfolio and consistently generate results.

Close-up of a resting javelina lying on the ground in warm sunlight, detailed wildlife photo from Arizona featured as a top-selling stock image. — A close-up wildlife photograph of a javelina resting on the dry, sunlit ground. Its coarse fur and textured snout are sharply detailed, showing the animal’s natural ruggedness. Pine needles and earth tones surround the javelina, giving a sense of its arid desert habitat. The calm posture and soft lighting emphasize the peaceful side of this often-overlooked desert creature.

🌅 My Best-Selling Photos (Q3 2025)

This quarter, my top earners were a mix of landscape photography and AI-generated backgrounds.

Arizona Sunset – $5.94 (Shutterstock)
AI Background – $10.78 (Adobe Stock)
U.S. Capitol Evening Photo – $14.94 (Adobe Stock)
Washington Monument – $20.97 (Getty Images)
Hawaii Beach Scene – $21.63 (Adobe Stock)
AI Image – $22.15 (Adobe Stock)
Top Seller: Javelinas in Arizona – $27.41 (Adobe Stock)

These results show that a well-balanced mix of real-world photography and AI-generated assets can perform surprisingly well when they’re technically strong and keyworded properly.

🎥 Video Sales: Higher Effort, Higher Rewards

While photos make up the bulk of my uploads, video clips are where I see larger individual commissions. Here are some examples from this quarter:

Great Horned Owl in Nest – $5.60 (Adobe Stock)
Jeep Suspension Over Rough Terrain – $5.60 (Adobe Stock)
Neighborhood Flyover – $8.42 & $11.22 (Adobe Stock)
Times Square Lights – $8.44 (Adobe Stock)
Desert Sunset – $8.45 (Adobe Stock)
Whidbey Island Cliff Scene (Me Shooting in Nature)** – $22.40 (Getty Images)

Video takes more time to capture and process, but when it sells, it sells well.

💰 Total Q3 2025 Stock Photography Income

My total stock photography income for Q3 2025 was $970.
It’s not life-changing, but it’s definitely meaningful — roughly the cost of a roundtrip flight anywhere in the United States.

Remember: your experience will vary. Stock photography depends heavily on subject matter, image quality, keywording, and portfolio size.

Panoramic aerial view of lush green mountains and coastline on Oahu, Hawaii under bright blue skies — a high-selling tropical landscape stock photo showcasing natural beauty and depth. — An expansive panoramic view of Oahu’s lush mountains and coastline under a bright tropical sky. The green peaks rise dramatically from the forested valley below, giving way to a sparkling blue ocean in the distance. Sunlight filters through soft clouds, highlighting the depth and texture of the landscape. The image captures the essence of Hawaii’s breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant scenery.

🎯 Final Thoughts for Photographers

If you’re thinking about getting into stock photography, my advice is simple:

Treat it as a hobby.
Focus on quality and consistency.
Learn the keywords that buyers actually use.
Be patient — growth takes time.

And most importantly, keep enjoying photography for the passion of it. The income is a bonus — not the goal.

🌍 Coming Soon: My Biggest Project Yet

In February, I’ll be releasing my largest YouTube series to date — an adventure project that combines travel, photography, and storytelling on a whole new level.
Make sure to subscribe to Explore With Jason on YouTube so you don’t miss it.

My Stock Photography Earnings for Q3 2025: What Every Photographer Should Know