Hey Reader

From My Desk

I check what's trending across the stock libraries every few weeks. Partly for 'The Extra Shot', partly because it keeps me honest about what I'm actually shooting versus what's selling. This week, one search term stopped me. "Moonlit night" is up 163% on Shutterstock. My first thought was that it was a random spike, the kind of thing that jumps for a week and disappears.

Then I did the maths. We had a total solar eclipse on 12th August and a lunar eclipse at the end of the month. Two big sky events inside a fortnight, both over people's news feeds and social media. It's not a stretch to think that's put night skies and moonlit scenes on a lot more people's minds, buyers included.

Here's my takeaway on this: a trend rarely comes from nowhere. Before you chase one or ignore one, ask what real event might be behind it. The answer often decides whether it's worth your time.

Over to You - Check what you already have

• Search your own library for anything shot at dusk, dawn, or after dark.
• Pick 3 images you'd tag "moonlit" or "night landscape"
• Upload them to your stock portfolio and/or your Etsy shop this week while search interest is still climbing.

On My Radar

Etsy. Landscape prints are still one of the steadiest sellers in the wall art space. Worth checking that they're front and centre in your shop if they're not already.

Stock. The moonlit trend is a good reminder that chasing what's selling works better with a plan than a guess. 100 Stock prompt cards give you ready-made shot lists so you're never starting from a blank page. I've had several photographers reach out after they've purchased it to tell me the cards sparked even more stock photography ideas that they now have a planner continually being added to with fresh new ideas that they've not seen anywhere else.

£19.00 100 Stock Photography Prompt Cards Stuck on what to shoot next? You're not short of skill. You're short of a plan. These cards give you one. Each card... Read more Get the 100 cards

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Hope you have a great week. And remember, I'm here to help you, so if you're struggling with anything, I encourage you to reach out; just reply to this email.

Nicky x