What Types of Visuals Are Driving the Highest Earnings on Adobe Stock This Year?

Hey everyone! If you’re like me, you’ve probably stayed up way too late messing around on Adobe Stock, trying to figure out what kind of photos or videos are actually worth shooting. I’ve been uploading stuff to the platform for about three years now, and let me tell you, the trends shift quicker than you can say “shutter speed.” In 2025, some visuals are absolutely raking in the dough, and I want to spill the beans on what I’ve learned from my own hits and misses, plus a little digging into what’s hot. So, what’s making the most money on Adobe Stock this year? Let’s get into it!

Why Should You Care About Trends?

Okay, so why even bother keeping up with what’s selling? Well, if you’re a photographer, videographer, or digital artist like me, it’s all about knowing what buyers are hungry for. Adobe Stock is this huge online marketplace where brands, designers, and marketers go to find visuals that make their projects pop. One great image or clip can get downloaded hundreds of times, which means actual cash in your bank account. But what makes one visual a money-maker and another a total bust? It’s about nailing Quality, Relevance, and adding a bit of your own personality.

When I started, I thought I could just upload a bunch of random shots from my phone and call it a day. Big nope. My blurry park photos got zero traction. It wasn’t until I started paying attention to what was trending and tweaking my work to match that I saw my earnings start to climb. So, let’s talk about the visuals that are bringing in the big bucks on Adobe Stock in 2025, with some of my own stories to keep things real.

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The Top Money-Making Visuals in 2025

Based on my own uploads, talks with other contributors, and some sneaky research, here’s the lowdown on what’s earning the most on Adobe Stock this year. I’ve got a list of the top categories, plus some of my own wins and total flops to show you what’s up.

1. AI-Made and AI-Tweaked Photos

Alright, let’s talk about the big one: AI. Artificial Intelligence is all over the place, and images that are either fully created by AI or jazzed up with AI tools are selling like nobody’s business in 2025. Why? They’re unique, versatile, and perfect for super specific needs.

• What’s hot? Think sci-fi cityscapes, neon-lit cyberpunk vibes, and wild digital patterns. These are huge for websites, apps, and ad campaigns.

• Why it works: AI images have this crazy, almost futuristic look that’s hard to pull off with just a camera. Plus, Adobe’s Firefly tool lets you create and upload them right in their system.

• My story: I’ll be honest, I thought AI was just a fad. Like, how could a computer outdo my carefully planned shots? But then I gave Firefly a try and made a glowing, neon city scene. I uploaded it, and holy moly, it got 70 downloads in just a couple of weeks! That’s more than all my flower photos from last year combined. I’m a total convert now.

Quick Tip: Nervous about AI? Don’t sweat it. Firefly is super easy to use, and the results are made for Adobe Stock’s standards.

2. Real-Life, No-Filter Pics

Buyers are so over those fake, overly polished stock photos. In 2025, authentic lifestyle shots are still a total goldmine. They want images that feel like real life, not some staged studio setup.

• What’s hot? Photos of diverse groups (all ages, backgrounds, you name it), people working from home, green living, and moments of self-care like reading or meditating.

• Why it works: Brands want visuals that feel human and real, not like they came from a corporate catalog.

• My story: I took some photos at a local farmers’ market, catching people chatting and picking out veggies. They weren’t perfect, but the real, unfiltered vibe was a hit. One shot of an old lady holding a basket of carrots has over 170 downloads! It’s one of my best sellers.

Pro Tip: Focus on diversity and real moments. Skip the stiff, posed stuff buyers can spot fakeness from a mile away.

3. Short, Snappy Videos

Videos are a big deal on Adobe Stock right now. With platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels driving content, short clips (under 30 seconds) are getting snapped up like crazy.

• What’s hot? Drone footage of cities or nature, quick everyday clips (like someone pouring coffee or typing on a laptop), and simple animated explainers.

• Why it works: Marketers need fast, eye-catching videos for ads and social media. Clips that loop well or tell a story quick are pure money.

• My story: I tried video last year with a 12-second clip of a busy street at dusk. It wasn’t perfect, but it’s been downloaded 90 times so far. Videos pay way more per download than photos, so it’s worth the effort.

Quick Question: Thinking about video? You don’t need a fancy camera. Your phone can do wonders for short clips.

4. Green Living and Eco-Friendly Shots

Sustainability is a huge deal in 2025, and visuals that scream “save the planet” are selling like hotcakes. People and companies are all about going green.

• What’s hot? Shots of solar panels, wind turbines, zero-waste stuff (like reusable water bottles), and green spaces like community gardens.

• Why it works: Businesses want to show they care about the environment. These visuals are perfect for reports, ads, and websites.

• My story: I shot some photos at a local recycling event, focusing on people sorting bottles and cans. One image of a bright green recycling bin has over 120 downloads. Who knew trash could pay so well?

Table: Top Green Themes on Adobe Stock

5. Techy Business Images

The corporate world is always hungry for visuals, and in 2025, tech-focused business shots are a big winner. Think modern offices and cool gadgets.

• What’s hot? Photos of hybrid work setups, cybersecurity visuals (like digital locks on screens), and clean infographic-style illustrations.

• Why it works: With remote work still going strong and tech moving fast, companies need visuals that feel fresh and professional.

• My story: I shot some photos at a coworking space, catching people working together on laptops. The lighting was a bit off, but the real, team vibe worked. One image has 135 downloads so far.

Quick Tip: Add techy stuff like smartwatches or tablets to business shots. It makes them feel current.

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What Makes a Visual Stand Out?

So, what’s the secret to making visuals that sell? From my experience, it’s about three things: Quality, Relevance, and Your Own Vibe.

• Quality: You need high-res images or videos. I learned this the hard way when my early uploads got rejected for being too pixelated.

• Relevance: Figure out what buyers want. Adobe Stock’s contributor portal has a trends section that’s like a cheat sheet.

• Your Own Vibe: Don’t upload boring, overdone stuff. Buyers want something fresh, not another generic office photo.

Question: Ever wonder why some images get tons of downloads and others just sit there? It’s about matching trends with your own style.

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My Biggest Screw-Up (And How I Fixed It)

Let me tell you about my worst moment as a contributor. Early on, I uploaded a ton of random photos with no plan. Think shaky videos and overexposed landscapes. Result? Not a single download for months. It was brutal. Then I started checking out Adobe Stock’s blog and contributor groups to see what was actually selling. I switched to shooting stuff like diverse team scenes and eco-friendly photos, and my earnings finally started moving. Last month, I made $265 from just 13 images. Not enough to retire, but it’s a start!

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How to Get Started

New to Adobe Stock? Here’s how to jump in:

1. Sign Up: Get a contributor account on Adobe Stock. It’s free and takes like five minutes.

2. Check Trends: Look at Adobe’s contributor portal or blogs to see what’s in demand.

3. Create Smart: Focus on big categories like AI, lifestyle, or green themes.

4. Tag Right: Use clear keywords. For a solar panel photo, use tags like “solar energy,” “renewable,” and “eco-friendly.”

5. Keep Going: The more you upload, the better your chances of making money.

Quick Question: Feeling nervous about starting? Don’t worry. Start small and see what clicks.

Wrapping It Up

So, what’s making the most money on Adobe Stock in 2025? AI-generated images, real-life lifestyle shots, quick video clips, eco-friendly visuals, and techy business photos are the big winners. As someone who’s been at this for a bit, I can tell you it’s all about keeping up with trends and adding your own spin. My biggest lesson? Don’t be afraid to try new stuff, whether it’s messing with AI or capturing real moments. The market’s always changing, and there’s room for all of us to shine.