Pond5 is a stock media marketplace best known for video footage, owned by Shutterstock. Creators upload clips, set their own prices and earn a royalty each time someone licenses their work. Once a clip is approved, it can keep selling for years, which is what makes stock footage one of the more passive creative side hustles.
At a glance
| What it is | A stock footage and media marketplace |
| How you earn | A royalty on each license sold |
| Royalty | 40% for exclusive video artists, per Pond5; less for non-exclusive |
| Pricing | You set your own prices |
| Who it’s for | Videographers, drone pilots and motion designers |
| Where it works | Online, worldwide |
How Pond5 works
You create a contributor account, upload clips and add titles, descriptions and keywords. Pond5 reviews each submission. Approved clips go live in the marketplace, where buyers such as producers, agencies and brands license them. You earn a royalty on each sale, paid to your account.
Royalties and exclusivity
Pond5 lets you choose between exclusive and non-exclusive. Its exclusive video artist page says exclusive artists earn a 40% royalty share and get extra promotion and priority support, and they can also license on Shutterstock while staying exclusive to Pond5. Non-exclusive contributors can sell the same clips elsewhere but earn a lower share. Pond5 cut its rates in 2025, so check the current numbers on its sell page before deciding.
What sells
Buyers want footage that fits real productions: business and technology scenes, lifestyle, nature, aerial and drone shots, timelapses, cities and seasonal content. Clean, well-lit, stable 4K footage sells better than shaky clips. Model and property releases are needed for recognisable people and private places. Specific, accurate keywords help buyers find you.
Building a portfolio
Stock footage is a numbers game. A few clips rarely earn much; hundreds of good clips can. Shoot in series, such as several angles of the same scene, so buyers can cut sequences. Upload consistently and study what sells in your niches.
Gear and workflow
You don’t need cinema cameras to start. Modern mirrorless cameras and drones shoot footage good enough for stock. What matters more is technique: steady shots, correct exposure, clean focus and no logos or brand names in frame. Shoot several takes of each scene and keep clips short, typically ten to thirty seconds. Build a simple workflow for trimming, naming and keywording so uploading doesn’t become a bottleneck.
Pricing strategy
Because you set your own prices, research what similar clips sell for in your niche. Pricing too high can stop sales; pricing too low leaves money on the table. Many contributors keep standard prices for everyday clips and charge more for rare or hard-to-shoot footage, such as unusual locations or complex aerial work.
Keywords and metadata
Good metadata is half the work in stock. Write titles that describe what’s in the clip in plain words, such as the subject, action and setting. Add keywords that buyers would actually search, including mood, colours and concepts, but avoid stuffing unrelated terms, which can get clips rejected. Note the location and season when they matter.
Update metadata on older clips if they aren’t selling; better keywords can revive them.
Owen’s take
Pond5 is one of the few places where you set your own price, and that’s worth a lot. Exclusivity pays more, but I’d stay non-exclusive at first and spread clips across several sites until you know where your work sells. Then consider going exclusive with your strongest footage.
Who it suits
It suits videographers and drone pilots who already shoot good footage and want it to keep earning. It suits less well anyone without decent gear or the patience to build a large portfolio.
Similar options
- Shutterstock has huge buyer volume but tiered, lower royalties.
- iStockphoto is Getty’s stock marketplace for photos and video.
- ShareGrid lets you earn from the gear itself by renting it out.
More options are in Stock Media.
Pros and cons
Pros
- You set your own prices
- Clips can sell for years
- Option to go exclusive for a higher royalty
Cons
- Royalty rates were cut in 2025
- Needs a large portfolio to earn well
- Releases and quality standards to meet
FAQ
How much does Pond5 pay?
Pond5 says exclusive video artists earn 40%. Non-exclusive rates are lower; check Pond5’s current terms.
Can I sell my clips elsewhere?
Yes, if you stay non-exclusive.
Do I set my own prices on Pond5?
Yes. Pond5 lets contributors price their own clips.
What kind of footage sells best?
Practical, high-quality clips of business, lifestyle, nature, aerial and city scenes.
Do I need releases?
Yes, for recognisable people and many private locations. Without them, clips may be rejected or limited to editorial use.
