What to shoot for stock photo sites in August

To help plan the next shoot, here is a list of content that stock buyers will look for in August according to Shutterstock’s analytics service.

Top microstock searches in August

There will be the most searches, according to Shutterstock, for 3D and surreal imagery, as well as shots of the fall harvest, psychology, and national holidays around the world. Let’s go into these themes in more detail.

Surreal imagery and 3D

Imp‑art and illustrations of fantastical worlds;
Concepts related to artificial intelligence, including facial recognition, big data, and deep learning;
Futuristic technologies such as self‑driving cars and virtual reality;
Photos or illustrations of objects, landscapes, and people depicted in miniature;
3D animations of buildings, icons, numbers, objects, letters, wallpapers, and more.

Please do not forget about model and/or property releases, which will be required if a submitted image contains recognizable objects or faces.

Autumn and fall harvest

Autumn holidays, including the Mid‑Autumn Festival in China and Vietnam, Chuseok in South Korea, Oktoberfest, and other harvest‑related celebrations worldwide;
Cornucopias filled with the fruits of autumn: apples, pumpkins, leaves, and more;
Apples in all variations – from apple cider to sliced apples or baked fruit in apple pies;
Fall fashion for families and kids, as well as advertising visuals showcasing autumn sales;
Apple picking and other active fall work.

Please remember property and model releases if faces or recognizable objects are in the frame.

Holidays around the world

National holidays worldwide, for example, Columbus Day in the USA, Independence Day in Mexico and Brazil, Saudi National Day;
Hindu holidays such as Navratri and Dussehra. Images of folk dances, including Dandiya Raas and Garba;
Jewish holidays, for example, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot;
Islamic holidays, including the Islamic New Year, which follows the end of Eid and Ramadan.

Remember that model and property releases are required for anything identifiable. Property releases are needed for both exteriors and interiors.

Personal development

Personal development, including coaching, psychotherapy sessions, and speech therapy;
Personal transformation concepts, such as fresh starts and self‑love. Also visuals of people who stand out from the crowd in a positive way;
Mental health, including PTSD (post‑traumatic stress disorder) and suicide prevention.

Please remember releases if there is anyone or anything recognizable in the imagery.