Photo Stories

During the coronavirus pandemic, more than 70% of Americans took on home improvement projects and plan to do more in the new year, according to a survey from Bank of America. In 2020, home became more than where the heart is, and our houses and apartments became our offices, schools, gyms, and more. Although restrictions

The last couple of years have been important for copyright law, and in many cases, the photo industry has been front and center. First, there was Goldman v. Breitbart News et al, then McGucken v. Newsweek, and most recently, the reopening of the Sinclair case. These headline-grabbing cases have drawn widespread public attention to the

In the 1930s, Life magazine did something radical; while most magazines of the time prioritized words, its editors published pages and pages of photographs, sometimes accompanied only by brief captions. Over the next few decades, Life’s photographers—Gordon Parks, Margaret Bourke-White, and W. Eugene Smith among them—would help pioneer a new genre known as the “photo

Studies suggest that mass media is one of the public’s primary sources of information about several mental health disorders, but research also shows that many of the portrayals we see are negative and stereotypical. These inaccurate depictions can have serious consequences. According to the World Health Organization, one in four of us will be affected

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

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

With millions of photos and a vast variety of themes, concepts, and categories, there is never a shortage of amazing content to discover on 500px. That’s why we created 500px Collections! An effortless way to discover more of the best content taken by our incredible and diverse community. Keep reading to learn how you can

The holiday season is huge for brands and retailers every year, but this year, October to December might be more important than ever. Crowded, in-person Black Fridays may be a thing of the past, but a recent study reveals that more than half of Americans had already started their holiday shopping by October of this

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 $5,000 US in grants, to be shared amongst five photographers, as part of the Reimagining Mental Health Commercial Grant. We

The difference between a “good” photo and a “bad” photo is subjective, but a “marketable” image is easier to define. The market for stock images is growing rapidly, but while trends come and go, there are a few key ingredients that always make a photo stand out. For starters, all best-selling photos tell a story.

Tatiana Avdjiev is a lifestyle photographer originally from Bulgaria and is currently based in Chicago. Her portfolio captures a blend of authentic and intimate lifestyle content, often focusing on themes of family, connection, and creative expression. Tatiana’s work has been featured in 500px Editors’ Choice and in photography publications like Photography Masterclass Magazine, TimeOut Chicago,

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 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

According to a recent survey, the average internet user spends about 2 hours and 22 minutes on social media every day. That’s almost 36 days a year. While there is no doubt that social media is an invaluable tool for getting your work out there, you don’t need to spend that much of your time

The most successful Licensing Contributors on 500px have hundreds of images in their portfolios, and they add 25 to 50 more photos each week. They track trends, challenge themselves to try new things, and make time to shoot seasonal content throughout the year. Most importantly, however, they make the most of every shoot. The secret

Fall and winter are the times of year for warm sweaters, cozy evenings, twinkling lights, and—for photographers, at least—magical bokeh. A few years ago, a Reddit user went viral after noticing that Google searches for “bokeh” peak in December, perhaps due to more photographers looking to create the effect using holiday lights. With more photographers

From spontaneous candids to unretouched skin, the last few years have transformed portrait photography. From selfies to studio shots, today’s photographers are doing away with the cliches (and the over-editing) and embracing personality, authenticity, and creativity. When you search 500px for “portrait photography,” you’ll turn up a whopping 318,000+ results. We’re living in an era

If you thought brick-and-mortar camera stores were a thing of the past, think again; from Chelsea, NYC, to Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris, to Shinjuku, Tokyo, traditional camera shops are thriving. Many have been around for decades and are steeped in history; others cater to newer, up-and-coming communities of photographers. What they all have in common is

Marvin Herrera is a Licensing Contributor originally from Los Angeles, California, now based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. Marvin’s portfolio focuses on colorful, moody, and expressive portraits, blending creative props, settings, and often shot on film to build a sense of nostalgia. Q: Marvin, tell us a bit about your first camera. A: My first

Do you ever wonder who captured the real estate photography on your local listings and how they went about it? Real estate is a fast-paced genre of architectural photography. Once you’ve made contacts with local realtors, you could create a steady stream of income. But first, you need to master the techniques. This essential guide