Happy New Year Reader!

Later this week, I’ll be sharing exactly how I worked toward my stock photography goals this year. But before that, I want to talk about something important.

If earning from photo licensing is on your 2026 vision board, getting your work into premium stock matters. A lot.

Think about it from the brand side for a second.

A brand spends tens of thousands of dollars on a campaign. Strategy, copy, colors, creative direction. Every decision is intentional. Then imagine they drop in a generic stock image… or a weird, obviously AI-generated one.

The whole thing falls flat. The campaign loses trust. People scroll right past. Sometimes they even unfollow.

That’s exactly why premium stock is so important in photo licensing.

Brands and agencies don’t want filler content anymore. They want images with perspective. With a point of view. Work that feels human, imperfect, and intentionally made.

Premium buyers aren’t grabbing free photos or relying on AI. They’re paying for curation, taste, and photographers who know who they are and what they shoot.

That's why Inside Stock Photo Besties, I give you full access to my course The Premium Path, where I teach you how to position your work for premium agencies and buyers, and how to carve out a niche that actually fits you.

Lately I’ve been hearing the same thing from so many of you:
“I want to license my photos… I just haven’t found the time to start.”

That’s exactly why I’m hosting the Stock Photography Reset this January. It’s a 30 day, intentional container for photographers who know photo licensing makes sense but need a reason to finally sit down, focus, and get moving.

You can use it as a fresh start for the year, or as a roadmap you come back to over time.

And if year-round support or a membership doesn’t fit your life right now, that’s okay. You can come and go inside Stock Photo Besties whenever it makes sense for you.

We kick things off next Monday, with a relaxed pre-call happening this Thursday if you want a chance to set intentions and ask questions. I’d love to have you there!

During the Reset, we’ll be:​
• Updating our bios and collections
• Reviewing portfolios
• Planning intentional content for the year ahead
• Learning about agencies and matching your work to the right ones

The goal is simple. Build momentum and help you fast-track your way to your first $100 in licensing income, or get you moving again if you’ve stalled.

What to upload in January↓

Community Wins

Some recent wins from my Stock Photo Besties that are worth celebrating!

Download Stocksy's 2026 Visual Insights

Stocksy released their “Signs of Life: Visual Insights ‘26” report and it is packed with insights that line up exactly with where stock is headed. The big themes for 2026 lean into real life, bold color, motion, and images that feel full of sensation and emotion, not just “pretty.” Jot down a few shoot ideas for each theme that feel true to you, then bring those into your 2026 stock sessions.

START 2026 STRONG WITH THE PROFITABLE STOCK PLANNER! This planner is my strategic system designed to help you make more sales every month of the year. It's designed to help you: ⭐ Understand which categories sell best throughout the year, so you know what to shoot and when. ⭐ Build a simple, repeatable workflow that keeps you on track and uploading in time for seasonal demand. ⭐ Make smarter, data-informed decisions that actually grow your licensing income. ⭐ Save time by keeping everything organized in one place. No more bouncing between spreadsheets, notes, and half-finished plans. Grab The Planner→

January is a natural time to reset, build fresh routines, and put energy toward the projects that actually move the needle.

If photo licensing has been on your mind but keeps getting pushed aside, this is your invitation to start.

The Stock Photography Reset is a 30 day, focused way to build momentum alongside myself and others in our community.

You can join us for the Reset inside Stock Photo Besties for just $33 (where you can also access tons of other resources.) See where finally starting, or restarting, your photo licensing journey can take you.

xo,

Aubrey

N 36th St, Boise, Idaho 83703
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