Stock Photo And Video Market Size, Share, Growth and Industry Analysis, By Type (Photo, Video), By Application (Commercial, Editorial), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2035

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STOCK PHOTO AND VIDEO MARKET OVERVIEW

The global stock photo and video market size was valued at USD 5.98 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 6.43 billion in 2026, progressing steadily to USD 12.2 billion by 2035, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.38% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2035.

Stock photo and videos are pre-shot or pre-recorded media files that are available for licensing and use in various creative projects. They are typically created by photographers and videographers and are made accessible through stock agencies or platforms. These platforms act as marketplaces, connecting content creators with individuals or businesses in need of high-quality visuals for their projects.

The demand for stock photos and videos have been steadily increasing, driven by the growing need for visual content in various industries, including marketing, advertising, web design, social media, digital transformation of industries and the rise of online platforms. Businesses and content creators increasingly rely on high-quality visuals to engage their audience, driving the demand for stock photo and video.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Pandemic Boosted the Market Demand Due to Increased Demand 

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with stock photo and video market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to the market's growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

During the early stages of the pandemic, there was a surge in demand for COVID-19 related content, including stock photo and video market depicting scenes of remote work, healthcare workers, and pandemic-related concepts. The pandemic influenced changes in content trends. There was an increased focus on themes related to remote work, social distancing, healthcare, and technology to adapt to the new normal. Photographers and videographers adapted creatively to capture the changing realities brought about by the pandemic. This included producing content that reflected the resilience of communities and the ways people adapted to new circumstances. With more people relying on online platforms for communication and business, there was an increased demand for digital content. This affected the types of images and videos that were sought after in the stock market.

LATEST TRENDS

Growing Demand for Authentic and Diverse Visuals to Fuel Market Growth

There is a growing demand for authentic and diverse visuals that represent a wide range of cultures, backgrounds, and lifestyles. Brands and businesses are increasingly seeking content that reflects inclusivity and connects with a broader audience. With the rise of high-quality cameras and advanced video editing tools, there's a demand for cinematic footage. Content creators are looking for videos that have a professional and polished look. Aerial footage captured by drones has gained popularity. This trend is especially relevant for industries such as travel, real estate, and environmental monitoring. As smartphones continue to improve their camera capabilities, mobile photography and filmmaking have become more prevalent. Stock content shot on mobile devices is gaining acceptance. The interest in immersive experiences has led to an increased demand for VR and 360-degree content. This is particularly relevant for industries like travel, real estate, and education. AI is being used in image and video editing tools, making it easier for users to enhance and modify stock content. AI is also being used for content tagging and categorization.

• According to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), more than 68% of federal agencies in 2024 used licensed stock images and videos for official communication, training, and awareness campaigns. Similarly, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics reported that over 12,000 digital education materials used open-licensed or stock visuals in 2023 to enhance visual learning and engagement across 80+ countries.

• According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), over 22,000 AI-assisted visual content patents were filed globally by 2024, reflecting rapid adoption of AI tools in photo and video production. Around 45% of professional photographers and videographers now use AI-based editing or image synthesis, driving a shift toward more efficient, on-demand stock libraries.

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STOCK PHOTO AND VIDEO MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

According to type, the market can be segmented into Photo, Video.

By Application

Based on application, the market can be divided into Commercial, Editorial.

DRIVING FACTORS

Growth of Digital Platform to Drive Market Growth

The increasing shift towards digital platforms and online content consumption has boosted the demand for high-quality visual content. Businesses, media organizations, and individuals require images and videos for websites, social media, marketing, and various other digital applications. The rise of content marketing has led to a growing need for diverse and engaging visual content. Companies use stock photo and video to enhance their online presence, tell their brand stories, and connect with their target audience. The growth of e-commerce has created a demand for compelling visuals to showcase products and services. Businesses use stock imagery to create professional-looking websites and marketing materials.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Search Technology to Accelerate Market Demand

Advanced search algorithms and AI-driven technologies make it easier for users to find the exact content they need quickly. This enhances the overall user experience and contributes to stock photo and video market growth. The popularity of social media platforms has fuelled the demand for visually appealing content. Individuals and businesses use stock photos and videos to create eye-catching posts, stories, and advertisements on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. The widespread use of smartphones with advanced cameras has turned almost everyone into a potential content creator. This has led to an increased demand for stock photos and videos that are mobile-friendly and easily shareable on various platforms.

• As reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce, e-commerce sales accounted for 15.6% of total retail trade in 2024, with over 80% of online businesses using stock visuals for marketing content and product display. The European Digital Marketing Association (EDMA) also noted that visual content improves online engagement by up to 94%, fueling consistent demand for stock imagery and footage.

• According to the Creative Europe Program (European Commission), funding worth €250 million was allocated between 2021–2024 to support creative professionals, including photographers and videographers. Approximately 30% of this budget went into digitization projects and open-access media libraries, increasing the availability of high-quality stock visuals for both public and commercial use.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Competition and Saturation to Restrict Market Growth

The market for stock photo and video is highly competitive, with numerous providers and platforms available. This can lead to saturation, making it challenging for individual contributors or smaller companies to stand out. Due to the abundance of stock content available, there is often pressure on pricing. Increased competition can lead to lower prices for individual images or video clips, impacting the revenue potential for contributors.

• According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), about 27% of digital creators faced copyright or licensing disputes between 2022–2024 due to unclear usage rights of stock media. This lack of transparency in licensing terms discourages new users and limits content distribution across platforms.

• As reported by the International Trade Centre (ITC), there are over 450 million stock images available globally as of 2024, leading to repetitive content and reduced uniqueness in commercial visuals. Nearly 33% of businesses reported using similar visuals across campaigns, reducing brand differentiation and impacting creative diversity.

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STOCK PHOTO AND VIDEO MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Presence of Key Players in North America Anticipated to Drive Market Expansion

North America holds leading position in stock photo and video market share due to increasing digitalization and growth of creative industries. The USA, in particular, has been a significant player in the market. It is home to major stock photo agencies and hosts a large number of creative professionals and businesses that contribute to the demand for high-quality visual content.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Adoption Innovative Strategies by Key Players Influencing Market Growth

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead of the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio.

The top key players in the market are Dreamstime, 123RF, Stocksy United, Images Bazaar, Picxy, Unsplash.com, Getty Images. The strategies to develop new technologies, capital investment in R&D, improve product quality, acquisitions, mergers, and compete for the market competition help them to perpetuate their position and value in the market. Besides, collaboration with other companies & extensive possession over market shares by the key players stimulates market demand.

• Dreamstime: According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Dreamstime supports over 40,000 contributing photographers and videographers globally, with an archive exceeding 220 million images and clips. The platform has partnered with various government-led educational programs, ensuring verified and ethically licensed visual content distribution.

• 123RF: According to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Digital Economy Steering Group, 123RF operates in over 192 countries and manages a contributor network of more than 300,000 creators. The platform’s API integrations with e-learning and tourism agencies helped distribute over 100 million images to government and commercial clients in 2023.

List of Top Stock Photo And Video Companies

• Dreamstime (U.S.)
• 123RF (U.S.)
• Stocksy United (Canada)
• Images Bazaar (India)
• Picxy (India)
• Unsplash.com (Canada)
• Getty Images (U.S.)

REPORT COVERAGE

This report examines an understanding of the Stock photo and video market’s size, share, and growth rate, segmentation by type, application, key players, and previous and current market scenarios. The report also collects the market’s precise data and forecasts by market experts. Also, it describes the study of this industry’s financial performance, investments, growth, innovation marks, and new product launches by the top companies and offers deep insights into the current market structure, competitive analysis based on key players, key driving forces, and restraints that affect the demand for growth, opportunities, and risks.

Furthermore, the post-COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on international market restrictions and a deep understanding of how the industry will recover, and strategies are also stated in the report. The competitive landscape has also been examined in detail to provide clarification of the competitive landscape.

This report also discloses the research based on methodologies that define price trend analysis of target companies, collection of data, statistics, target competitors, import-export, information, and previous years’ records based on market sales. Moreover, all the significant factors which influence the market such as small or medium business industry, macro-economic indicators, value chain analysis, and demand-side dynamics, with all the major business players have been explained in detail. This analysis is subject to modification if the key players and feasible analysis of market dynamics change.