Read this article to find out if it’s worth starting to sell your drone videos and photos on this platform.
After more than a decade contributing to stock photo and video agencies, I’ve seen both the best and the worst this industry has to offer. Unfortunately, in recent years, it’s been mostly the worst, slashed commissions, unfair policies, and platforms that treat contributors as disposable. I even updated one of the oldest articles on my blog about how to sell your photos on stock websites, and I made it clear that the situation isn’t improving.
The Downfall of Microstock
Just to mention a few examples, Shutterstock has slashed royalties without much warning and forced everyone into a tier system that resets yearly. Then, Motion Array pulled something even worse: a tier system that resets every month, cutting my sales in half practically overnight with no explanation. I wonder which agency will introduce a tier system that resets every hour.
But Dreamstime takes the gold medal. Not only did they flat-out refuse to release my earnings when I closed my account, but they also forced me to manually delete every single image one by one (over 3K images). They refused to offer an automatic deletion option, even though GDPR regulations support the right to be forgotten. If you’re considering uploading to Dreamstime, my honest advice is: don’t. Avoid them at all costs.
Unfortunately, I could go on, and the frustration is real. Talk to any long-time stock photographer and I’m sure they’ll share my feelings.
As if things couldn’t get any worse, these same platforms are now flooding their libraries with AI-generated slop, burying real, authentic photography under a mountain of lifeless junk. And to make matters worse, they’ve started paying contributors literal pennies for the right to use our content to train the AI that creates even more of it.
I am not against AI, mind you, in fact I even wrote an article explaining how to sell photos made with AI. The problem isn’t the AI-generated photos themselves, but the way these agencies handle this type of content. It should be clearly separated and priced differently from work produced by real photographers.
What’s next?
This raises the question: Is this the end of microstock photography? Or is it still possible to make a living, or at least earn some money, from it?
To be completely honest, I don’t know. I can’t predict the future. But maybe there are still a few paths left. I also believe there will always be a need for authentic content, whether video or images, created by real human beings. Just like there’s still a demand for vinyl records and film photography in today’s digital age. The real question is: how big will that need be?
Just when I was ready to give up and focus on creating content purely for my enjoyment, I heard about an agency called Amazing Aerial, almost by accident, while travelling with another photographer (this amazing trip). He mentioned this new platform focused on drone content that was offering surprisingly high royalties. At first, I was sceptical. Given everything we’ve been through in this industry, it sounded almost too good to be true.
But after everything, from royalty cuts to AI junk flooding the market, hearing about a platform built by photographers, for photographers, I decided to check it out. And what I found gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time: a bit of hope.
A New Hope
Amazing Aerial is a stock agency focused on premium drone photography and video. It was founded by Paul Prescott, a photographer who knows what it’s like to work in this industry, not from behind a desk, but out in the field.
The agency is relatively small and carefully curated. You won’t find mass-uploaded, low-effort content. Instead, every image and video is selected with intention, based on quality and storytelling.
They cover a wide range of drone footage, landscapes, cityscapes, nature, and unique perspectives from around the world. But what makes it stand out is how they treat contributors. This isn’t just another platform racing to the bottom. They don’t sell your work for pennies, and they value the people behind the content.
It’s clear from the start that Amazing Aerial was built with creators in mind. And honestly, that alone already sets it apart from most of what’s out there.
Despite the name, Amazing Aerial does accept ground-based images too. The main focus is still overwhelmingly aerial content, but if your ground shots complement your drone work, think storytelling sequences, behind-the-scenes moments, or context-setting imagery, they’re welcome. Just keep in mind that the platform is primarily tailored to drone-first photographers.
What Makes Amazing Aerial Different from Other Stock Agencies?
Amazing Aerial isn’t trying to compete with Shutterstock or Adobe by sheer numbers. Instead, they’re building a selective, premium collection aimed at high-end clients, think ad agencies, tourism boards, and global brands.
One big difference? They charge contributors a small monthly fee. I know that might be a dealbreaker for some, after all, you shouldn’t have to pay just to upload your work. I get it. But in this case, the fee is quite low and serves a clear purpose: it filters out casual uploads and helps keep the platform focused and professional. No cat pictures. No random flower snaps. Just serious, high-quality work.
What you get in return is far more than just a place to upload content. You become a real partner in a network that offers support, visibility, and growth opportunities.
One of the standout perks is access to exclusive photography trips organized specifically for Amazing Aerial contributors. These aren’t your average photo tours. We’re talking about missions to places where drone flying is typically restricted (you can check worldwide regulations here), but thanks to the agency’s global network and local contacts, they manage to secure the necessary permits. That alone can be a game changer.
Speaking of the network, this is honestly one of the most valuable parts of joining. Once you’re in, you get access to a virtual map of all contributors, complete with their social media accounts and locations. It makes it incredibly easy to connect with others, especially if you’re planning to travel. You can reach out directly, ask questions about local drone laws, get flying tips, or even arrange to meet up. It’s not just about selling footage, it’s about being part of a global community that helps each other.
And yes, you can talk directly to the CEO. Paul is available on WhatsApp, answers questions personally, and genuinely listens to feedback. That’s rare in this business.
Community and Curation
Unlike the big microstock sites where anyone can upload anything, Amazing Aerial operates on a by-application model. They handpick contributors (usually with an introductory call) and then review every submission. At first glance, that might sound limiting, but it’s a huge advantage. The platform isn’t flooded with low-effort or irrelevant content. Every image or video you see was carefully selected.
This focus on quality doesn’t just benefit clients, it benefits you as a contributor too. With less noise and more visibility, your work stands a chance of being discovered.
Recently, they’ve also rolled out an AI-powered keyword and captioning tool that automatically tags your content. It’s still a new system and not perfect, but it already helps save a lot of time during the upload process. And when you compare it to third-party tools that do the same thing, some of which cost more than Amazing Aerial’s base monthly fee, this feature alone is worth the price.
To keep everyone informed and involved, there are also monthly Zoom calls where Paul shares updates, answers questions, and presents upcoming photography trips or new platform features. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and feel like you’re part of something that’s evolving, with your input taken seriously.
If you’re not into networking or community events, that’s completely fine too. None of these features is mandatory. You can just focus on uploading your content and doing your thing without engaging in any of the extras. It’s simply added value for those who want it, not a requirement.
Licensing and Earnings
One of the biggest frustrations with stock photography today is the complete devaluation of content. Getting $0.10 per download after investing thousands in your gear? Give me a break.
Amazing Aerial is different. Their pricing is transparent and fair, and contributors get a 50% royalty, but let me explain exactly what that means.
You get 50% of what Amazing Aerial earns from the sale, not necessarily 50% of the final customer price. So, if they sell your footage directly to a client, you receive half of the final sale amount. But if your content is licensed through a third-party marketplace, like Adobe Stock, then you receive 50% of whatever Amazing Aerial receives from that partner. In those cases, your actual cut will be smaller than 50% of the sale price. But here’s the key difference: they’ve often managed to negotiate higher pricing even on those partner platforms. So, in the end, you may still earn significantly more than you would by uploading directly to Adobe Stock.
That said, I’m not claiming Amazing Aerial offers the highest commission out there. There might be other agencies offering better splits, maybe. But in the current landscape, where most platforms have slashed payouts and flooded their libraries with low-quality content, Amazing Aerials stands out. It’s not just about the percentage. It’s about the overall value, transparency, and the kind of clients they attract. That’s what makes the difference.
This hybrid model allows them to expand their exposure while still prioritising fair compensation. And for once, it feels like the system is working in our favour.
On top of that, they actively pitch to major clients and offer custom licensing, so there’s potential for real, meaningful sales. Brands like National Geographic, CNN, and IKEA have already worked with the agency. That’s a client list worth taking seriously.
Pros and Cons of Amazing Aerial
This is a list of the pros and cons I’ve personally noticed after becoming a contributor. It’s quite subjective, of course, since everyone has different needs and expectations.
Pros
- High-Quality Curation: Every image is reviewed, which keeps the library professional and focused.
- Fair Contributor Split: 50% royalty rate is generous compared to the industry norm.
- Real Community: You can easily reach out to the people behind the platform, including Paul himself, and connect with other contributors when you want to, without it ever feeling forced or formal.
- Strong Client List: National Geographic, CNN, IKEA, and others prove the agency can deliver.
- No Penny Sales: They’ve made it clear they won’t sell out to microstock pricing models.
Cons
- Selective Acceptance: Not everyone will be approved, and that might frustrate new creators.
- Limited Exposure (for now): The site is still growing, so you won’t see the same traffic levels as legacy platforms, yet.
- Upload Workflow Can Be Cumbersome: The upload process requires you to organise your content in a specific way, by folder, by location, aerial vs. ground, and editorial vs. commercial. It’s a bit more manual than most platforms, and while it helps keep the library well-structured, it can feel clunky at times, especially if you’re used to quick, drag-and-drop uploads elsewhere.
- Requires Exclusivity: Once you upload content to Amazing Aerial, it must remain exclusive to the platform.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
If you’re a drone photographer looking for something different, Amazing Aerial is worth a look. This is my personal opinion, based on my experience, and I know it might not be the right fit for everyone.
You won’t get rich quickly. This isn’t a magic solution or an instant income stream. But if you care about quality, want to work with serious clients, and are tired of being treated like a number, it’s a step in the right direction.
It’s not about massive volume or gaming algorithms. It’s about long-term value, fair compensation, and being part of a platform that still respects the creator behind the content. For the first time in years, I feel like I’m part of something that makes sense. And that alone is worth quite a bit.
If you decide to join Amazing Aerial using this link, you’ll get a 10% discount (use the code FABIO-10) on the monthly fee.
Here you can find a list of other stock agencies I’ve worked with that might be a better fit for your needs.
