Photo Stories

The coronavirus pandemic has sparked an overhaul in advertising; in fact, a spring survey from the Association of National Advertisers suggests that 92% of marketers had already adjusted their creative messaging since mid-March. Ads were pulled, and new ones were created to match the reality of the times. Amid the global crisis, more brands are

Plain white backgrounds are everywhere these days—on lifestyle blogs, magazine covers, fashion editorial spreads, subway ads, and almost every product shoot on leading marketplaces like Amazon or Google Shopping. Some trace the ubiquitous trend back to Apple’s minimalist advertising, but regardless of where this aesthetic originated, one thing is clear: it’s here to stay. Bright,

Last month we teamed up with touring music photographer, Jake Chamseddine to challenge the 500px community to show us their photos that best capture a performance. Performance photography, including music, sport, street, and everything in between, is all about capturing the emotion of the performer, the crowd, and the room and these submissions did just

Last year, the Creative Insights team at Getty Images reported that customer searches for “real people”, “real family”, and “authentic moments” went up by a whopping 218%, 678%, and 122%, respectively. In recent years, there’s been a huge push in the photography industry to highlight regular people and everyday experiences. Leading brands ranging from Bumble

One of the easiest and most effective ways to boost your success as a commercial stock photographer is to consistently shoot and upload fresh images to your Licensing portfolio; in fact, top Contributors tend to add upwards of 25 to 50 photos every week. When you’re organizing and maintaining a portfolio of hundreds of images,

500px strives to capture authentic representation within the global experience. As part of the 500px Commercial Grants program, we provide photographers with opportunities that encourage inclusivity within commercial photography. 500px is awarding a total of $5000 US in grants, to be shared amongst five photographers, as part of the Intersectional Diversity Commercial Grant. We are

Last month we teamed up with the amazingly talented artist, Rob Woodcox to launch the “Bodies of Light” Quest in honor of PRIDE and the BIPOC community! Today we’re excited to announce the photographer who is taking home the $1000 US grand prize as well as a selection of some of Rob’s favorite images from

Alena Sadreeva is a Russian photographer and doctor from Tver, a city northwest of Moscow. Alena’s commercial Licensing portfolio is rich with photos featuring intimate moments between couples, creative and conceptual beauty portraiture, and authentic lifestyle photography. Q: What was it that first inspired you to pick up a camera and pursue photography? A: I

500px is committed to providing photographers with opportunities to participate in evolving trends within commercial advertising. We not only want to provide an authentic look at global experiences, but redefine representation and drive inclusivity within commercial photography. To do this, we launched the 500px Commercial Grants program to help develop content representative of evolving trends

I think it’s safe to say that 2020 has thrown the world for a giant loop. A lot of us feel stressed and overwhelmed by the events unfolding right before our eyes. Working at 500px during this time has been an interesting experience to say the least. I’ve watched many 500px community members use photography

In 1951, the photographer Edward Steichen, serving as the director of MoMA’s Department of Photography, organized an exhibition devoted entirely to abstract photography. The 150 images featured in the show ranged from fine art pieces to scientific studies to light drawings, including meticulously planned compositions and works made by happy accident. Today, the individuals included

From 2013 to 2017, the number of photos taken doubled from 6 billion to 1.2 trillion—according to research, 85% of the photos taken that year came from smartphones. In the years since, the “mobile revolution” has continued to take hold of the world of photography, not only on our social media feeds but also in

Pablo is a Licensing Contributor based in Argentina who has an affinity for reptiles, all things nature, and candid family moments. With over 1000 photos in the 500px commercial collection, Pablo is no stranger to the intricacies of licensing and commercial photography. Q: Argentina is home to some breathtaking scenery. You recently ventured into the

According to a recent report from Neilsen, podcasts are experiencing tremendous growth, with the US podcast audience expected to double by 2023. With as many as 62 million Americans listening to podcasts—and over 800,000 active podcasts available at our fingertips—more people than ever are turning to audio. Why are podcasts so popular? Research suggests that

From the rise of “Zoom yoga” to the boom in sales of home exercise equipment, the coronavirus pandemic and related lockdowns have transformed the fitness industry. In many parts of the world, gyms have been closed for months, but brands and individuals have adapted in surprising ways. The week of March 11-15, for example, saw

From The Front Steps Project to The 6 Foot Shoot, family photographers across the United States have been using the ongoing lockdown as an opportunity to capture moments of joy and togetherness amid an uncertain time. These viral photoshoots, created from a distance, from the porch, or even through the window, have reminded us that

Looking for a creative project to take on this summer? 500px and Collective Arts Brewing have joined forces to give photographers around the world a one-of-a-kind canvas—a beer can! This is a unique opportunity to get your PHOTO and NAME front and center on a limited edition beer can that will be in beer and

According to the 2020 WeddingWire Newlywed Report, 60% of couples say the style of photography is the most important thing to consider when it comes to choosing someone to document their big day. Finding the right photographer is so important, in fact, that it’s the most popular place for couples to increase their budget. Furthermore,

The 2010s might have been the decade that drones revolutionized our world, but, in so many ways, the aerial photography craze is just getting started. Earlier this year, everyone from 500px to Red Bull named drone photography as one of their top trends for 2020. In May, Dirk Dallas, the curator of the popular Instagram

The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new wave of home cooks, who are whipping up everything from handmade pasta to DIY pizza dough. According to Google Trends, interest in banana bread and brownies, “Dalgona coffee” and lasagna, and more is on the rise, as people search for new recipes to try right now. You

Earlier in June we launched the “Bodies of Light” Quest where we teamed up with amazingly talented artist Rob Woodcox in honor of PRIDE and the BIPOC community! Together, we are challenging the community to celebrate their bodies, diversity, and the LGBTQ community with portraits that tell a compelling story about a subject—and one photographer

According to a recent survey from Prudential, conducted in April and May 2020, 63% of Americans believe that even after the country reopens, the way we work will never go back to “normal.” Almost six in ten say that they plan to change their personal behavior at work to limit contact with others, and 66%

Iza Lyson is a dog photographer from Krakow, Poland. Iza’s photos showcase a number of different breeds of dogs through a variety of wanderlust-inspired settings. Focusing on our canine friends, Iza’s work embodies themes of companionship, loyalty, and adventure. Iza has previously shared with us some of her insight and technique in our On Set

This article has been sponsored by Xiaomi. Xiaomi is the world’s fourth-largest smartphone brand. They build amazing products, with reasonable prices. And now, if you’re a Xiaomi phone user, you have the chance to win $5000 US with the ShotByMi 2020 photo contest. ShotByMi 2020 encourages every Mi Fan to share their story through the

As an April report from the Pew Research Center revealed, more than half of American adults say that the internet has been essential for them amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, and a significant majority (90%) say the internet has been mostly a good thing for them during this time. As brands continue to find new

In 1797, the engraver and painter John Thomas Smith, who worked as the keeper of prints at the British Museum, came up with a revolutionary theory. In his view, landscape paintings worked best not when sky and land were given equal weight, but when one or the other took up an entire two-thirds of the

“Food is good,” Food & Wine contributor Andrew Zimmern recently said. “Food with a story is better. Food with a story you’ve never heard of is best of all, and food with a story you’ve never heard of but that you can relate to is the holy grail.” For well over a century, these “food

Tamara is a Serbian photographer and videographer who shares a commercial photography business with her partner Davor. Working through a variety of genres, Tamara brings fresh creativity and experimentation to her commercial photography practice. Q: Your photography handle is artymotion_visuals, give us the backstory behind that name. A: When my partner Davor and I thought

Heinz once advertised their “hot ketchup” with a photo of a french fry—burned to a crisp at one end. A few years ago, the Van Gogh Museum Cafe in Amsterdam cleverly referenced the artist in an ad featuring a photo of a simple coffee cup with a broken handle. Colgate famously ran photos of fruits

Junior is a photographer based in Ghana that uses his multidisciplinary approach within photography and video to help influence the visual aesthetic within his work. Q: You are based in Ghana; tell us a little bit about the arts and culture vibe there. A: Ghana is a country with over a hundred tribes, most of