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Pro Tip – Capturing Fireworks Step By Step

New Year’s Eve is a unique opportunity to photograph one of the most beautiful moments of the year. Record something enchanted, from local traditions to joyful faces during celebrations to fireworks. This article covers the steps, techniques, and tips required to record and photograph fireworks in high-quality.

 

Step 1 – Determine Your End Goal

First, decide why you want to shoot fireworks. Knowing what you want to accomplish helps you organize for the shoot. Are you posting on social media, making a documentary, or planning to sell the footage for the stock? Each application has different visual requirements and will determine the type of equipment and preparation needed.

 

Step 2 – Plan the Production

 

  • Timing is key– Plan your shoot carefully and give yourself enough time to set up the tripod, camera, etc.
  • Do your research – Search Pond5 and then sort by popularity to see the top shots. You can also check Google, YouTube, and social media for viral posts to see why they went viral and see if something is inspiring to set the stage for your shoot.
  • Scout a location – Look up different venues hosting a fireworks display in your area. Choose one that interests you and provides a clear view of the show. Since you’ll be sitting there for some time, it should be a place where you feel at ease. You can check Google Earth to see access points and get a sense of what the location looks like in advance. Also, you can look for other places nearby that may give you a better view or at least a unique perspective.
  • Consider your vantage point – Check to see if a high-rise hotel is close to the fireworks, where you can book a room and shoot from the balcony. Survey your surroundings. Look for a hill or mountain a couple of miles away that may give a much larger scope to the fireworks. Lastly, get to your location early to set up!
  • Overall Composition – Fireworks with the blank sky in the background are useful as a source for layered photos and footage. However, if you intend to use it differently, look for a location with foreground objects, such as buildings, hillsides, or trees, at the very least to add additional visual elements. Otherwise, the results may look a bit plain. Having people in the foreground is also an option, but you must count on blurred movement as the sensor captures light longer.
  • Check the weather – You can not control the weather, and in the winter, it could spoil a celebration. However, it is feasible to set off fireworks in the rain, so if you are determined, don’t discount this issue, pack your belongings appropriately, and adequately protect yourself and the equipment!

 

A Sea Of Fireworks Explode Through The City Of Los Angeles by Lmprods.

Step 3 – Gear to Pack

 

  • Tripod – ​​Using a tripod is important but set the drag loose to give you the ability to pan and swivel.
  • Several lenses – Don’t count on one or two lenses. Start wide, but using a telephoto or wide telephoto to capture the details is excellent too. Use different frame settings based on your goal.
  • Flashlight/headlamp – Remember, you’re filming in low light. Bring a flashlight or, ideally, a headlamp.
  • Stay comfortable – Take care of yourself and those around you during the shoot. Bring some chairs, snacks, and enough water, and keep yourself warm!
  • Consider the weather – Pack rain protection for yourself and your camera if the forecast looks uncertain.
  • Batteries/Battery Chargers – You don’t want your camera to die while taking your amazing shots!
  • Cleaning Supplies– Make sure to pack some wipes or a microfiber cloth for easy cleaning in case your lens or camera gets dirty!
  • Memory cards –
  • Camera Remote – If your camera has a remote, pack it to reduce shaky hands while taking photos or videos!

 

Step 4 – The Best Camera Settings For Shooting Fireworks

You need to set up your camera for low-light filming. Most of the general rules apply here as well. If you’re photographing, don’t forget to shoot in Raw so you can better play with the image in post-production software later.

Read advice from Olympus and Nikon on how to capture brilliant fireworks photos, or check out the tips in this 4-minute-long video from Jeven Dovey on setting the camera.

 

Step 5 – Shooting

Action! The big day is here. Since you have a limited time to capture your shots, we recommend using techniques you find comfortable. Try to find out the launch location of the fireworks.

  • Panning left and right – Check your surroundings and ensure you have enough space for setting up and shooting. Add in more elbow room if necessary!
  • Exposure experiments< – Remember, the longer your exposure, the longer the trails of lights that will be visible.
  • Composition – There’s nothing wrong with shooting fireworks against the clear sky. High-quality shots have their place in the overall demand among video editors but if you don’t intend to sell your footage as a source for other use in editing (such as layering the fireworks in additional footage), then consider the foreground objects.
  • Speed experimentation – Slow motion gives you beautiful moody shots, while real-time is more authentic. Play with the settings!
  • PRO TIP: Shoot the entire show on a separate camera – Bring another camera with a wide lens and shoot timelapse or real-time footage of the whole fireworks show. The backup allows you the freedom to constantly change settings with your primary camera.
  • Aerial footage – Drone footage is also an option. If the local laws allow, a drone gives another perspective of the show and a competitive advantage over other sellers.
  • 360/VR footage – Don’t forget 360 cameras! If you find the right spot and you’re able to secure a clear image, it’s another competitive advantage.

 

Aerial Colorful Fireworks In Night City Sky Bright Holiday Celebrations Party by TaigaShots.

 

Step 6 – Post-production

A lot of things can be enhanced or fixed in post-production. Here’s the list of elements you can play with:

  • White balance – Experiment with the temperature and tint sliders to find your favorite colors. Fireworks don’t have a usual “correct” color, so you can change the white balance to whatever you want. You could also utilize the foreground objects you provided as a guide to figure out what is realistic regarding color.
  • Basic controls – Exposure and contrast, luminance, saturation, darkening shadows, and blacks are all controls you can adjust. Keep in mind that the outcome should be natural and vivid, not overexposed or unnaturally saturated. Being gentle is key.
  • Clarity, sharpening, and texture – Use these gently. It may help to make the fireworks pop out even more!
  • Clipping – If you have continuous long footage, find the most exciting moments, clip them, and export and upload them separately.

 

Step 7 – The Metadata Work/Uploading to Pond5

Congratulations! You’ve just exported your stunning work! Now it’s time to sell it. To make sales, you have to think of the marketing part too!

  • Refer back to your research on Pond5 – See what keywords other artists use with similar photos and footage when sorting the results by popularity.
  • Concepts – Don’t forget to add keywords as we get closer to the other events, holidays, and anniversaries that typically feature fireworks displays, such as the 4th of July, etc. Please read our guide to keywords for more information.
  • Metadata – Choose the proper descriptive titles and descriptions to help our algorithm push your content to the top of the results.
  • Create a collection – Create a collection of your photos and footage and share the link to your social media networks. Here’s a guide on how to make a collection.
  • Earn referral income – Get even more revenue with our Referral Program. You’ll earn a commission on every new buyer you introduce to Pond5, no matter what they buy!
  • Maximize your earning potential – Join the  Pond5 Exclusive Video Artist Program for an industry-leading 60% royalty share. Not only will you maximize the value of your work, but you’ll also save time by uploading to just one platform. And if you combine it with the referral program, you can get up to 90% revenue share!

Top Image: Sparkling Celebration Fireworks New York City Manhattan Skyline With Skyscrap by photovs

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Buyer Requests: Winter is Coming, New Year – New Me, Smart Health

Most Wanted in December

While looking forward to all the pleasures the holidays bring- from fantastic food to time spent with our loved ones, buyers are already planning campaigns for 2023. January marks a new beginning for business strategies and New Year’s resolutions. Take advantage of this opportunity to offer new and fresh content created around Winter Wonderland, New Year – New Me, and Smart Health. Don’t forget to attach the special keywords assigned to each theme so we can track and promote your work!

Winter Is Coming!

Winter Is Coming!

USE THIS KEYWORD: BRWINTER2022

Winter as a theme is quite generic. Therefore it gives you a lot of freedom to get creative!
Experiment with different camera approaches and post-production techniques. Here’s a list of ideas you can get inspiration from:

Submission Ideas

  • User-generated content – leave your professional gear at home and send us authentic POV footage, whether a snowball fight, sledding, or shoveling your walkway.
  • Breaking News – capture the climate crisis and weather behavior! If you’re witnessing unusual weather, such as storms, give it a shot, literally. Don’t forget to stay safe!
  • Vintage shots – if you have an old functional camera, try using it and give buyers content with a vintage feel. Alternatively, you can experiment with the post-production techniques. Send in those film shots!
  • Archival footage – have you found old VHS tapes? This kind of authentic footage is highly in demand as it’s irreplaceable because it’s evidence of the lifestyle at that time. Check our Pro Tip below to see the requirements for submitting archival footage.
  • Local shots – Wintertime is beautiful for its diversity! Show us what winter looks like in your local town, city, country, etc. Capture how businesses prepare for the holidays, winter sales, etc. What is typical for your country? What does this season look like in Germany, the US, Australia, and India? A range of options is best!
  • Winter sports – traditional winter sports we’ve been looking forward to, from skiing to snowboarding, figure skating on a frozen pond, ice hockey, sledding, and more.
  • Winter duties and responsibilities – Capture how lifestyle changes during winter – snow removal from the paths and sidewalks, ice removal from the roof, raking leaves, and winter cleanup of your home before decorating it for the holidays.
  • Winter in detail – macro shots of snowflakes, timelapse of melting ice, breath in the cold, rosy cheeks and noses, tree branches covered in snow, frozen lakes.

Suggested Keywords

Winter, holiday, Christmas, Winter sport, skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, ice hockey, sledging, archival, vintage, retro, climate change, etc.

Target Group

A wide variety of clients from ad agencies and news organizations to influencers and bloggers.

New Year - New Me

New Year - New Me

USE THIS KEYWORD: BRNEWYEAR2022

The topic of New Year’s resolutions is steadily rising to the top of winter season searches. Refreshing your Storefront with new graphics based on commitments and fresh starts is sure to attract interest from buyers.

Shot List Thought Starters

  • New Year transformation – people working out at home watching a virtual instructor, installing or building equipment for their home gyms, paying for a gym membership, buying vitamins, protein drinks, and other dietary supplements online. Capture multi-generational family members and friends exercising together, atypical fitness equipment, and inadequate/inappropriate exercise rooms.
  • Multitasking people – working out during online meetings, a floor treadmill under a working desk.
  • People giving up bad habits – such as drinking alcohol, smoking, overeating, etc.
  • Close-up shots – people writing down a list of New Year’s resolutions and creating a vision board.
  • Online learning – think of people attending an online course, learning a new language, etc.
  • Group shots – families discussing New Year’s resolutions plans, groups of friends supporting or motivating each other.
  • Body image – standing on a scale, looking at a fit or unfit body in the mirror.
  • Cooking and eating – healthy foods, shopping for organic food at a farmers market, cooking in the kitchen, etc.
  • Mindfulness – practicing yoga, meditating, etc.

Suggested Keywords

New Year, New Year’s resolutions, new beginnings, high expectations, workout, training, multi-generational family, smoking, overeating, bad habits, home gym, equipment, online course

Target Group

All groups, especially ad agencies and corporate clients.

Smart Health

Smart Health

USE THIS KEYWORD: BRSMARTHEALTH2022

In January, people are more determined to take care of themselves. The newest technologies, gadgets, and artificial intelligence make our lives much easier! Buyers are looking for the latest technologies and the future of smart health and living for all ages!

Shot List Thought Starters

  • Smart health devices – shots of people using common smart health such as toothbrushes, apps, bracelets, watches, etc. Include close-up shots of the devices in action.
  • Checking data – graphs, statistics, and results from the smart devices on their phones, tablets, or laptops.
  • Wellness devices – heart monitors, sauna blankets, facial massagers, facial steamer, etc.
  • Smart fitness – think of different types of connected treadmills, elliptical machines, scales, and smart workout machines.
  • Health in VR – working out with a VR headset/goggles on.
  • Smart software – upload content of people working out following instructions on their phone from the app or people tracking their progress in an app.

Suggested Keywords

Smart, smart health, futuristic, VR, gadgets, healthy lifestyle, sleep trackers, smart scale, massagers, smart app, etc.

Target Group

All groups, especially ad agencies and corporate clients.

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Music Briefs: Holiday Music & Sound Effects

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA: HolidayAudio2022

The holiday season is approaching quickly, and buyers are looking for traditional and niche contemporary remixes that complement the holiday atmosphere. We’ve compiled a list of genres to focus on producing holiday music based on the requests from our buyer community.

Christmas and Holiday music isn’t only ‘Jingle Bells’ – think outside the box and get inspired by the following idea starters for your next music production. Don’t forget to use the special keyword HolidayAudio2022 so we can track down your submissions and promote your content!

 

Music Production Thought Starters

Christmas songs cover many styles, from choral and rock to country, pop, R&B, or jazz. Let the list below spark your imagination.

  • Christmas music in traditional genres – Children’s, Classical, Jazz, Modern, Religious, Rock, and Pop all fit this category. (Think of the vibe of ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’). Try including typical winter SFX in your music, and experiment with different instruments, such as organs, jingle bells, etc.
  • Non-traditional remixes of Christmas songs – We have already received requests for Christmas music remixed or revamped into Asian instruments, synthwave, R&B, EDM, Hip Hop, etc.
  • Lounge music – The jazzy relaxing vibe you have in a hotel lounge or elevator.
  • The rock genres – Create Christmas Rock, Christian rock, and even metal versions using Christmas elements, chords and SFX.
  • Lullabies – Soft bedtime music for children is also in high demand.
  • Vocal tracks – From duos to choirs. People singing religious songs or holiday hymns are popular among buyers during the holiday season.

 

Think of other holidays

Christmas is not the only holiday that occurs towards the end of the calendar year. Experiment with Kwanzaa or Hanukkah to widen your list of genres. Here are some examples:

  • Kwanzaa music is as vibrant as the traditional colors used to celebrate this seven-day holiday from December 26 to January 1. Create tracks using classical African beats, instruments, and joyful grooves.

 

  • Hanukkah music includes many traditional songs associated with the festival of Lights. Jewish music encompasses a wide range of genres and styles. These include Yiddish songs, klezmer music, and Israeli music, as well as contemporary genres mixed with traditional Jewish instruments, such as the kinnor (lyre), nevel (harp), tof (tambourine), shofar (ram’s horn), trumpets, flutes, chalil, alamoth and the uggav.

 

 

Holiday Sound Effects

Let’s focus on holiday sound effects here! Sound effects are essential for movies, podcasts, and social media platforms. Buyers often seek them out a few months before the holidays.

  • Winter sound effects – What reminds you of winter? Winter breeze, ice cracking, snow falling, rain, footsteps in the snow, snowball fights, etc.
  • Traditional Holiday sounds – Bells, chimes, and jingle bells, decorating the Christmas tree, gift wrapping, Holiday prayers, a music box, dreidels spinning, etc.
  • Holiday voices – Diverse voices, different accents, and languages saying “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah,” “Happy Kwanzaa,” or cheerful voice lines of children happy about their gifts, dreidel games, Santa Claus saying ho ho ho, etc.
  • Atmosphere sounds – Fireplace, Clinking of glasses and toasts, laughter, lighting a candle or menorah, preparing, cooking, and serving food, etc.

 

Keyword Ideas

Happy, positive, Christmas, holiday, Christmas music, music, winter, holidays, seasonal, bells, happiness, snow, Xmas, Santa, magical, festive, Kwanzaa, African, groovy, joyful, uplifting, ambient, jazz, lounge, carols, acapella, jingle bells, choir, choral, vocal, Christian rock, lullaby, Hanukkah, Chanukkah, Jewish, Yiddish, klezmer, Israeli, Hebrew, kinnor, chalil, alamoth, uggav, etc.

 

Target Groups

Corporate clients, non-profit organizations, artists, news organizations, influencers, ad companies, social media agencies, etc.

 

Summary Tips

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. On the other hand, do not use recognizable band or artist names, please!
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social-media use.
  • Moreover, please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

Top image: Man Playing Guitar In Christmas Eve by StudioMAK.

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Shoot Brief – User Generated Content

Special Keyword Code: UGCPOND5BRIEF

The trend and demand for realistic videos are increasing month to month. In addition to professionally created staged content, authentic footage straight from the user, also known as User Generated Content (UGC), attracts many buyers. UGC is a raw format mainly shared on social media by large and small companies where nothing is simulated. From vertical videos suitable for Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or Tik Tok to the next viral hit, it’s time to get real!

 

Shot List Thought Starters

 

Social Media Trends

  • TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube viral trends – People doing their makeup, dancing, eating, going out etc. – UGC shots tend to be more casual and focus on people enjoying themselves.
  • The selfie culture – Whether it’s tagged as #nofilter or not, show us some portraits of you and your friends, and don’t be afraid to record the seconds of you setting the pose before you hit the shutter.
  • AR Filter shots – AR filters on Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok rule the world! Have you tried them on your cat or dog?
  • The typical Youtuber— Submit a shot of people unboxing a product, PR packages, vlogging, pranks, makeup gurus, fitness instructors, reviews of products, etc.
  • Parody and memes – Make them laugh with parodies, internet memes, funny sketches, etc.

 

Happy Friends Dancing And Posing For Selfie At Party by AnnaStills.

 

Everyday Life

  • First-person perspective lifestyle shots – Imagine a vlogger capturing a trip from the first-person perspective or an influencer recording a cooking tutorial on TikTok. The goal is to get as authentic as possible. The visible selfie stick and ring light are definitely not a problem here!
  • Videos of your pets – Does your pet know a special trick? Has your pet done anything funny worth sharing? What does a stroll down the street look like? Show us!
  • Authentic home videos – Birthdays, holidays, vacations, sports games, school plays, gatherings, public events, etc.
  • Fails – Fail compilations tend to go viral on social media platforms. Upload anything that “went wrong”.
  • Vintage photos and videos – Bring out those old camcorders and show us your shaky digitalized VHS tapes!

 

VHS Shot Of Joyous Dad And Daughter Preparing For Halloween At Home by AnnaStills.

 

Breaking News

Newsworthy editorial content straight from the participants will always be in high demand!

Check the list of events below:

  • Protests – Have you witnessed any protests or community action? If you have shareable material that might be interesting for News organizations, submit your work with a proper editorial caption.
  • Natural disasters – From locals shooting an earthquake, tornados, and hurricanes to planned production of storm chasers, upload newsworthy weather packed videos.
  • Breaking events – Become a journalist and shoot anything extraordinary that happens near you.

 

Pov: Police Line Walks Next To Black Lives Matter Protesters In New York City by RawMediaNetwork.

 

Suggested Keywords

UGC, User Generated Content, Authentic, Selfie, Home video, Vine, TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, protest, community action, breaking news, natural disaster, floods, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, fire, etc.

 

Target audience

All kinds of groups from corporate clients and ad companies to social media influencers.

 

Submission checklist

  • Check out our marketplace for visual reference and inspiration.
  • Aim to stand out and create something new among the other search results
  • USE THIS SPECIAL CODE IN YOUR KEYWORDS: UGCP5BRIEF
  • Make sure your submission falls under commercial use whenever it’s possible.

Top Image: Fans Celebrating At Football Match by ImageSource.

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Buyer Requests: Back to School, Harvest, Second Summer

Most Wanted in August

Summer is slowly ending, and our buyers are looking for new, fresh takes on second summer themes. Show them what summer looks like at your place and find inspiration in our posts centered around Back To School, Harvesting, and Second Summer.

Back To School

Back To School

USE THIS KEYWORD: BRSCHOOL2022
The time of the year for students to return to their desks is approaching again. Creating media around this theme will help fuel Ad agencies, marketers, and production companies looking for relevant content to feature in their projects.

Shot List Thought Starters

  • Alternative education – practical classes, workshops, schools in nature, Montessori model of education, Finnish school, etc.
  • Parents – all races, religions, age groups, and ethnicities shopping for school supplies
  • Students – hanging out in common rooms, cafeterias, courtyards, lockers and libraries
  • Kids – playing at the school playground, diverse shots of students sitting at school desks, kids wearing school backpacks and uniforms
  • Commuting to school – school buses, parents driving their kids to school every morning etc.
  • Establishing shots of school interiors – establishing shots of schools cleared for commercial use, empty and crowded rooms typical for every school – think of cafeteries, libraries, lockers, school gyms, halls and corridors, classrooms, sports fields, but also dorms, etc.
  • After school activities – activities and hobbies of students, such as sports practice , school clubs, after school programs,hanging out with friends, instrument or theatre class

Suggested Keywords

Back to School, School, Education, Pupils, Students, Montessori, Alternative Education, School corridor, School hall, Dormitory, Hall of residence, etc.

Target Group

All groups, but specifically ad agencies, corporate clients, non-profit organizations, TV production companies, etc.

PRO TIPS

  • Choosing proper metadata is crucial for our search algorithm. Don’t forget to add relevant conceptual keywords to your existing submission and never stuff your metadata with irrelevant keywords. Not sure how to do that? Check out our guide.
  • Buyers prefer clips cleared for commercial use. To qualify, these shots should never show logos or third party intellectual property. Make sure you have a signed property release from the owner of a facility if it’s unique and distinctive enough and a signed model release from anyone who is recognizable in the shot or photo.
Harvest

Harvest

USE THIS KEYWORD: BRHARVEST2022
Whether you are an agriculture guru, an individual sharing a community garden, or growing fruits and vegetables in your own back yard, there’s nothing more satisfying than harvesting what you have planted with your own hands. Buyers are looking for this content to portray industry and agriculture and demonstrate the ingenuity behind supply and demand. Capture your local agriculture as crops ripen, are cut, and gathered from the fields.

Shot List Thought Starters

  • Footage – aerial farm fields being harvested and diverse portraits of farmers
  • Crops being harvested and processed
  • Shots of fields – during different parts of the day – think of the golden hour, early morning, night, etc.
  • Close-up shots – fruit and vegtables, wheat rice etc. being harvested
  • The tech – the tools and technology being used for harvesting, whether it’s an expensive tractor or as simple tool as a spade or shovel
  • Family garden harvest – it’s not only about hundred-hectares large fields, think of a family harvesting in their gardens too!

Suggested Keywords

Harvesting, harvest, combine, fields, family garden, crops, farmer, etc.

Target Group

All groups, but specifically ad agencies and corporate clients.

Second Summer

Second Summer

USE THIS KEYWORD: BRSECONDSUMMER2022
The summer heat wave is ending, but the fun doesn’t have to end. Second Summer refers to the time in late summer when temperatures start to cool and the days are noticeably shorter, signaling the approach of autumn. Buyers are actively looking for sights and sounds reflecting this turn of the seasons.

Shot List Thought Starters

  • Second summer free time activities – content showing activities during the warm autumn days a backyard BBQ, a camping weekend in nature or smores and spooky stories by the campfire
  • Shots of fashion – Create content showing fall clothes such as boots and cardigans
  • Summer in the city vs. the countryside – different activities for various locations such as evening dinners/concerts
  • Local traditions – holidays and traditions during the end of summer or beginning of fall such as labor day or an end of summer party. Make sure to share them with our buyers!
  • Fall food – we no longer crave salads but enjoy hardy soups! Capture what’s cooking!

Suggested Keywords

fall, autumn, fall nature, fall countryside, second summer, leaves, pumpkins, apples, corn maze

Target Group

All groups, especially ad agencies and TV productions.

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Pond5 contributors set their own prices and earn an industry-leading percentage of every sale.

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Pro Tip: Using TikTok For Your Promotion

Dancing trends, food recipes and life hacks are just a few topics TikTok cover. Let’s face the truth – TikTok is no longer a procrastination app. We can’t underestimate its power among other social media. TikTok reached one billion users at the end of 2021 and is expected to reach 1.8 billion by the end of 2022! Moreover, 32% of users are aged between 25-34. That brings an important question – should I build my brand on TikTok and how to do that? Here’s what you can do.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a social network for creating and sharing short videos with a length of 3 seconds to 3 minutes long on the topic of dancing, karaoke, food, life hacks, fashion, funny sketches, and much more. In 2018, TikTok became the most successful application in the US and, in addition to English and Chinese, is now also available in more than 75 other languages. Their competitors are well-aware of its popularity – if you think of it, Instagram Reels are videos that are a direct copy of TikTok.

TikTok is a great platform for sharing your content, whether you are a videographer, photographer, illustrator or a music artist! We even use TikTok too!

@pond5_official

 

What To Post?

TikTok is intuitive and the whole process of creating videos is very simple. You can create a new video in the app or upload an existing clip from your gallery. You can then filter the created videos, adjust the speed, compile them with other frames or videos, and of course, you can also insert a musical underline. Additionally, you can transform the voice, add visual effects and various moving or static stickers. Since you‘re already a stock media creator and Pond5 Artist, there’s nothing easier than posting a selection of your best clips on TikTok, captioning it with catchy hashtags using the Tiktok Creative Center, attaching a popular song that is trending right now, and adding your referral link there!

Here are some ideas on what to post:

  • Your clipped and edited footage with background music on TikTok
  • Behind the scenes shots from the set
  • A voiceover of how did you edit that clip or photo (using editing programs + the result)
  • Speedart of an illustration you’ve just uploaded on Pond5
  • The production process of a song you’ve made
  • Tips and Tricks on how to succeed as an artist
  • Trending challenges on TikTok and its For You Page
@pond5drone

 

How Often Should you Post on TikTok?

TikTok is a dynamic social media platform. For the best results, you need to find the right time to post to TikTok – when your audience is most likely to be scrolling, so you need to understand where your target group (the potential buyers) are located and in which time zone are they based to land on their algorithm. Make sure to actually use your TikTok account as well by interacting with other creators, follow, like and comment on their videos.

TikTok recommends posting 1- 4 videos/day. Consistency is more important than frequency. If you’re only able to post a video once or twice a week, create a plan and stick with it. You’re about to build a community and brand from zero so it takes time. Never look for shortcuts – buying followers, likes or views may actually harm your progress!

 

Get Viral and Refer To Your Content

TikTok is interesting in its viralness. You can actually become famous overnight so make sure you have a consistent profile with a matched profile photo and username with Pond5, Instagram and other social media, and make sure to add your personal referral link to your BIO so you can earn more! If you want to know more about consistency and building your brand, check out this guide.

That’s pretty much it! As an Artist, you have a great opportunity to make TikTok a platform that offers real value of real art. Become a TikTok Artist, promote your work to thousands of people and get more exposure to your work! Make sure to follow us @pond5_official and tag us in your posts. We would love to feature you on our official account!

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Creative Brief: Mockups

Special Keyword Code: MOCKUPSP5BRIEF

Artists and creatives use Mockups whenever they want to show their work in a lifelike environment. A mockup is a realistic model that shows how the final piece will look and feel. It can be anything from a stack of business cards with a design applied on the top card or a blank t-shirt to showcase a custom design to a 3D model of a living room showing a digital painting as if it was printed and installed on the actual wall. In other words, when your content is used as a Mockup, it serves as a stage for another person’s work presentation. Creating Mockups will help you connect with artists worldwide and make their products stand out! Submit Mockups as footage, photos, after effects, and even 3D models.

 

Concepts

Think of different products that may use your content as a mockup, whether a physical product, such as clothing, a car, a scooter, or any other vehicle, packaging, or a specific device, such as a watch or the newest iPhone. Here are a few examples of mockups for inspiration:

 

Green Screen Mockups

A green screen mockup is a video or photo featuring bright green color on any part of the space used for chroma keying. Other artists use this media to embed their products in a natural environment.

Examples:

  • TV/computer screens
  • Specific devices, such as smartwatches, phones, etc.
  • Realistic models – of billboards, flyers, etc.
  • Stages – think of the backgrounds used for a newsroom, etc.

Product mockup

A product mockup is a visual representation of what a product will look like without actually manufacturing one. This artwork, mostly digital 3D models, is a foundation for graphic design.

Examples:

  • Branding & packaging – Create different sizes and types of boxes, bottles, jars, bags, sacks, cream packaging, and cans.
  • Apparel – T-shirts, vests, trousers, caps, jerseys, beanies, hoodies, tracksuits, shoes, and bags.
    such as smartwatches, phones, etc.
  • Vehicles and Transportation – Often portrayed as the base for car stickers, branding for trucks, electric scooters, Vans, buses, trains, airplanes, etc.
  • Electronic devices – Provide different types of smartphones, smart watches, laptops and desktops, any device that can represent an app, website, advertisement, etc.

Staging mockup

Attention 3D artists, animators, digital graphics artists, illustrators, and footage creators, this one is for you! Once an artist has the final design of their new product, they must present it in a real environment. So they look for staging environments and live backdrops to set the scene.

Examples:

  • Podiums – Podiums or any space that serves as a place to present a product.
  • Poster staging – Poster staging is a live environment featuring blank space for an artist’s work, such as a shot of a living room with an empty space above the sofa for inserting a wall picture design.
  • Backgrounds – This kind of media provides some context and depth to the visual representation of a product, whether it’s a workspace on a table or just a blurred background with a space for copy/paste.

 

Pro Tip

Don’t get stuck thinking about footage only. Photography is just a still frame – if you plan to shoot a specific set, such as a living room with an empty space for a wall painting, shoot different frame sizes, try various camera movements and also make a photo and upload it on Pond5 as well! Technically any concept can be used in every media type. You can create packaging for cream in your 3D software, create a background scene, make a photo of that, and animate a camera movement!

Keyword Ideas

Mockup, staging, poster staging, environment, realistic, podium, product background, product packaging, chroma key, green screen, etc.

Target audience

Digital artists, Corporate clients, ad agencies, non-profit organizations, etc.

 

Submission checklist

  • Check out our marketplace for visual reference and inspiration
  • Try to stand out and create something that pops out among the other search results
  • USE THIS SPECIAL CODE IN YOUR KEYWORDS: MOCKUPSP5BRIEF
  • Make sure your submission falls under commercial use.

Top Image: Stylish Room Interior With Empty Posters On Light Wall. Mockup For Design by liudmilachernetska744.

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Juneteenth Call Out For Artists

On June 19th this year, Pond5 will be celebrating our third-annual Juneteenth fundraiser. To honor the anniversary of the final announcement of the end of slavery, each year we raise funds for two organizations whose mission matches our own; to support the marginalized and empower the underrepresented through creative expression. Over the past few years we’ve supported organizations like National Black Arts Festival, Second Chance Studios, and Queer|Art. We’re excited to announce our partner organizations in June.

In addition to cultivating relationships outside of Pond5, support of our own creative community is paramount to our mission. We partner with a diverse range of artists to give opportunities for exposure within the marketplace, and surface inclusive content that creators need to tell their stories.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, we’re excited to put together a collection of clips and tracks by diverse artists in our community. We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to be featured in this collection! Please share your storefront with us and a collection of content that is most representative of your background and culture, and we’ll do our best to include them in this celebratory collection.

Share your work with us

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Content in the Wild February 2022

 

Everything Everywhere All at Once, Lucky8 TV Shows,
Citizen Pictures Productions

Content in the Wild is a series about you – your success, your talent, and your hard work. In each regularly-released installment, we reveal three high-profile projects featuring Pond5 media – all deals brokered by our Creative Partner team who will stop at nothing to get your work the attention it deserves. Prepare to be inspired because this is where all your hard work shines!

  • Everything Everywhere All at Once

    Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as Daniels, the film is a hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can’t seem to finish her taxes.

    It stars Michelle Yeoh, well-known for her roles in Star Trek: Discovery, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, in addition to Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jenny Slate.

    Go to website

  • P5 Commentary

    Everything Everywhere All At Once, produced by A24, is set to premiere on March 25, 2022. Working directly with their production team for over 18 months on footage options gave us true insight into the style and cinematic techniques used, allowing us to identify the perfect shots to complement the film.

    See more on: https://a24films.com/films/everything-everywhere-all-at-once

    Pond5
    Creative Partner Team

    Go to website

  • Go to website


  • Lucky8 TV Shows

    Lucky 8 is a full-service unscripted production company headquartered in New York City, dedicated to telling immersive first-person stories. Since its inception in 2014, Lucky 8 has produced a broad range of programming for networks such as National Geographic, History Channel, MTV, and Animal Planet.

    Lucky8 partnered with Pond5 to cover footage for their History channel documentaries The Food That Built America, and The Toys That Built America. We also provided footage for To Catch a Smuggler, a documentary TV series observing the Department of Homeland Security adjust tactics to meet the increasing flow of narcotics coming across the land borders during the pandemic.

    Go to website

  • P5 Commentary

    Lucky8 has been working with Pond5 since 2019, and we always enjoy partnering with their production team. Our dedicated support in helping them find the right clips to tell their stories has contributed to the success of several TV shows. We’re looking forward to future collaborations!

    See more of Greta Van Fleet here: http://www.lucky8.tv/

    Pond5
    Creative Partner Team

    Go to website

  • Go to website


  • Citizen Pictures Productions

    Citizen Pictures is an Emmy-winning television production company and content hub focusing on creating lifestyle-centric programming from food, travel, and home to sports, true crime, and competition formats.

    Citizen Pictures reached out to Pond5 to get additional content for their show Guy’s Chance of a Lifetime and a documentary Restaurant Hustle 2021: Back in Business that takes an intimate look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on restaurants.

    Go to website

  • P5 Commentary

    Citizen Pictures was new to Pond5, and we were excited to have the opportunity to partner with them on two shows focused on food. Impressed by our vast library of content and enthusiastic customer support, they plan to utilize Pond5 again for future content needs.


    See more on: https://citizenpictures.com/.

    Pond5
    Creative Partner Team

    Go to website

  • Go to website

Don‘t forget to check out the other projects as well! >> Go to Content in the Wild category.

Your Media, Wanted Worldwide

Pond5 contributors set their own prices and earn
an industry-leading percentage of every sale.

Start selling

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Buyer Requests: Holidays Around the World, Holiday Shopping, Holiday DIY

Most Wanted in October

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Our buyers love holidays! If you haven’t already prepared an extensive library of FOMO-worthy vacay content, September’s the perfect month to start. This month’s Buyer Requests ask for fresh takes on
Holidays Around the World, Holiday Shopping, and Holiday DIY

Holidays Around the World

Holidays Around the World

USE THIS KEYWORD: BRWORLDHOLIDAYS2021
We’re looking for unique holiday traditions from Russia to Mexico, India to Uganda, China to Luxembourg, and anywhere in between! Southern hemisphere, go on and show us that sunny Christmas with swim shorts. There’s also Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice—we’re looking for all of it! Focus on unique rituals, food, clothing, etc., and show us how YOU are celebrating holidays.

Shot List Thought Starters

  • Grocery shopping for traditional food
  • Close ups of traditional food being served
  • Typical local traditions connected to celebrating holidays
  • Shots of traditional gift givers, such as Santa Claus, Baby Jesus, St. Nicholas, etc.
  • Symbolic artefacts such as a menorah
  • Landscapes showcasing the weather during the holiday season
  • Shots of unique characters in costume, like the Krampus or Italy’s Befana
  • Carol singing or other public celebrations
  • Already have shots of how your city is decorated for the holidays? Don’t forget to tag them!

Suggested Keywords

Winter Holidays, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, Holiday, Celebration

Target Group

All groups, but specifically ad agencies, corporate clients, non-profit organizations, TV production companies, etc.

PRO TIPS

  • Always keep in mind that authentic-looking content which has been cleared for commercial use is much more popular than overtly “stocky” clips—especially for filmmakers, who often want to mix their own footage with our media.
  • Clips that are cleared for commercial use should never show any logos or 3rd party intellectual property unless the owner signs a property release. Any recognizable person in the clip should sign a model release.
  • We highly recommend considering diverse actors or models of all ages, ethnicities, races, religions, genders, and sexual orientations.
  • Choosing the right metadata is crucial for the search algorithm. Never stuff your metadata with irrelevant keywords.
Holiday Shopping

Holiday Shopping

USE THIS KEYWORD: BRHOLIDAYSHOPPING2021
Let’s face it: Christmas and winter holidays may be getting more and more commercial, but giving (and getting) gifts is just so much fun! We all know that one person who’s already started shopping for Christmas gifts. Why not capture the shopping fever that is slowly eating away at our wallets?

Shot List Thought Starters

  • People shopping on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc.
  • People of any color, ethnicity, gender, or religion shopping
  • Editorial footage of crowds and queues in shopping malls
  • Shopping online, package delivery from e-shops
  • Shopping for non-traditional gifts, such as cryptocurrency, etc.
  • Advertising for sales

Suggested Keywords

Holiday Shopping, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Sale Shopping, Cryptocurrency, Christmas Shopping, Gift Shopping

Target Group

All groups, but specifically ad agencies.

Holiday DIY

Holiday DIY

USE THIS KEYWORD: BRHOLIDAYDIY2021
Some merrymakers prefer to handcraft their gifts! If you’re into custom wrapping paper, wood carving, advent calendars (you name it!) you’ll feel at home with this request. Our buyers are looking for “Do It Yourself” content, so get creative when shooting your content! What about Stop Motion? Timelapses? 2D animation? Feel free to try something new!

Shot List Thought Starters

  • Shots of people creating candles, painting pictures, doing collages, etc.
  • Stop motions of DIY gift cards, holiday cards, envelopes and custom gift wrappings and boxes, etc.
  • Homemade food, drinks, and even toiletries! Think of mulled wine, homemade soaps, decorated gingerbread, etc.
  • Christmas traditional decor, such as wooden nativity scenes, wreathes, etc.
  • DIY 24-day Advent calendars are increasing in popularity
  • Think of embroidery, knitting, sewing, and more!

Suggested Keywords

DIY, Do It Yourself, Crafting, Painting, Sewing, Knitting, Embroidery, Carving, Cooking, etc.

Target Group

All groups, especially Ad agencies, non-profit organizations, TV productions, etc.

PRO TIPS

  • Submit completed and signed model releases for every recognizable person in the shot.

Be the first one who gets tons of inspiration and guidance from us! Subscribe to our Artist Insights e-mail.


Your Media, Wanted Worldwide

Pond5 contributors set their own prices and earn an industry-leading percentage of every sale.

Start selling