@ TravelTelly
2025-02-14 01:46:37
The short answer is YES—but the more honest answer is that it’s much harder than when I started. I’ve been in the travel stock media industry for over 13 years, creating a vast archive of stock photos and videos from around the world. You can check out my portfolio on [https://www.shutterstock.com/g/traveltelly](Shutterstock).
My work is also available on Pond5, Videoblocks, and Adobe Stock. Other big agencies where I don’t have my media are Getty Images and iStock.
My media has been featured on TV channels and even in feature films. However, most of the time, contributors don’t know exactly where their content is used—stock agencies (the middlemen) keep that information to themselves. While stock media can still generate income, it requires persistence, a large portfolio, and an understanding of the ever-changing market.
When I started filming stock footage, most people didn’t even have a phone capable of taking good photos or videos—can you imagine? Now, everyone is a (travel) content creator. Technology has evolved, but creating a well-composed photo or video is still an art. However, the combination of improved tech and the increasing centralization of the stock media market has made it much harder to earn a decent income from stock media compared to 10 years ago.
**Centralization & Declining Royalties**
Over the years, I’ve watched stock media royalties decline year after year. In the beginning, I couldn't understand why I wasn’t able to recoup the cost of my expensive camera—one I specifically bought to shoot high-quality 4K footage.
As the stock media industry became more centralized, agencies took a larger cut while contributors earned less, despite creating higher-quality content. The market became saturated, and with more competition and lower payouts, making a sustainable income from stock media became increasingly difficult.
**The Reality of Centralization in Stock Media**
Every year, stock agencies announced yet another royalty downgrade for contributors. They always framed it as something beneficial for content creators, but in reality, it only served the big companies and their shareholders.
As content creators, we had no say in the matter. These agencies grew too big and powerful, and they knew it. Leaving one platform wasn’t really an option—doing so would only mean an even greater loss of income.
In recent years, the industry has become even more centralized, with only a handful of major agencies buying out smaller competitors. This consolidation further reduces competition, giving contributors even less control over pricing, royalties, and where their content is used.
**The Bitcoin Standard: A Wake-Up Call**
I couldn’t understand why I was struggling to pay off my expensive camera investment, despite working hard and producing high-quality content. Until then, I had never really thought about how money worked. That changed in 2018 when I read The Bitcoin Standard—an absolute eye-opener.
That book sparked my curiosity about Bitcoin. Like many, I initially got distracted by shitcoins, thinking I could multiply my holdings faster—after all, Bitcoin seemed “too expensive.” It was a hard but valuable lesson. Just like in a casino, you can win and lose a lot with altcoins, but that has nothing to do with Bitcoin itself. After those first few years of learning, I realized that for me, Bitcoin—not crypto—was the only way forward.
**From Centralization to Decentralization**
When people ask me if they should start selling stock footage, my answer is always the same: It’s much harder now than when I started. Sure, you can make a few bucks, but is all the time and effort really worth it? If I had to start today, I simply wouldn’t—it’s way more work than what you’ll earn.
Instead of spending years building content for centralized platforms that take the biggest cut, I believe it’s better to focus on decentralized media like Nostr. In my opinion, that’s where the future lies.
Nostr: A New Protocol for Socializing (and More)
Nostr is a revolutionary protocol that goes beyond just social networking. You can read all about it at [Nostr.org](Nostr.org).
As a content creator, one of the most exciting aspects of Nostr is the ability to earn directly through Zaps—small payments made in Satoshis (the smallest unit of Bitcoin).
* 1 Bitcoin = 100 million Satoshis
* By receiving Zaps, you’re not just earning—you’re stacking the hardest money (Bitcoin) directly on Nostr.
This shift toward decentralized earning is a game changer, giving creators more control and financial sovereignty compared to traditional, centralized platforms.
**Join Nostr and Create Your Freedom Content**
On Nostr, no one can stop you. No one can deplatform you. You can be truly free.Whether you're a content creator, artist, or thinker, Nostr empowers you to share your work without censorship or gatekeepers. It’s a place where you control your content, connect directly with your audience, and even earn Bitcoin through Zaps.Embrace decentralization.
***Join Nostr and take back your freedom*** 🚀