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Aubrey Westlund

Stock Sips🍹What I'm doing all summer

Published 2 months ago • 3 min read

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This summer, I’m not launching anything.
No new courses. No masterclass. No fancy promo calendar.

I’m just doing the work.

Shooting stock photography. Capturing the little moments. Building a portfolio that actually reflects the way I want my life to feel. And if you’re anything like me, that probably sounds… kinda perfect right now.

I’ve started making a stock photography bucket list. Not a list of poses or props. A list of moments I want to live through and photograph.
Mornings with my daughter. Mini road trips. Backyard snacks. A full summer that doesn’t feel like work, but still builds passive income quietly in the background.

If you’ve ever said, “I wish I had time to shoot more stock,” this is your chance to stop waiting for the perfect idea or location or outfit… and just start.

Start with what you’re already doing — then romanticize it.

Turn the daycare drop-off into a sweet goodbye moment.
Photograph your grocery run like it’s part of a travel documentary.
And let dinner with your family look like something out of a food magazine, even if the table’s a little messy.

This is what buyers want: real life, just a little more magical.
Not forced. Just meaningful, beautiful, and true.

That’s what I’m creating this summer. And I’m bringing Stock Photo Besties with me.

But even if you’re not in Besties, you can still borrow this energy:

Zoom in. Slow down. Feel the moment. Then shoot it. No checklist required.

The only course you need this summer: Travel Stock Photography​

You’re already taking photos on your trips—why not make them work for you?

Whether you’re exploring a new city, sipping coffee on a balcony, or hiking to a lookout with the kids, I’ll show you how to photograph it in a way that stock buyers want to license. I even walk you through my top selling travel photos and how you can replicate my success.

You’ll get both audio and video lessons, so you can literally take me with you while you travel. pop in your headphones on the plane, while you're getting ready, or during your morning walk.

This course is your go-to guide for capturing photos that not only document your adventures but actually sell again and again.

I wasn’t expecting to love Visual Mind AI, but here we are. One of my students told me about it and now I’m obsessed. It’s the stock photo keywording tool I didn’t know I needed. Batch keywording, easy customization, and shockingly good results. Total game changer.

You can try it free with up to 100 photos—and then choose between monthly plans or pay-as-you-go credits.

Stocksy Launched a Podcast!

"Our new interview series, Good Practice, delves into what makes good creative and good business. The podcast features candid conversations with professionals, artists, and change-makers from different corners of the creative economy whose work inspires us." -Stocksy

Listen Here 👉 Good Practice​

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE SHOOTING AND UPLOADING RIGHT NOW

SHOOT:

💙 Father’s Day – Heartfelt, Real Moments Buyers Love

  • Dads + kids: playing catch, reading bedtime stories, building, or cooking together
  • Outdoor activities: fishing, hiking, biking, picnics
  • Classic cookout scenes: grilling, family around the table, casual backyard moments
  • Sentimental shots: handmade cards, breakfast in bed, letters or gifts being opened
  • Care-focused moments: babywearing, homework help, talking with teens
  • Show the spectrum: single dads, first-time dads, stepdads, same-sex couples, grandpas

✈️ Travel + Vacations – Story-Driven, Relatable Adventures

  • Road trips: packed cars, scenic views, roadside diners
  • Beach days: diverse bodies, snacks, sunbathing, sandcastles
  • Theme parks: rides, games, cotton candy, group fun
  • Camping/national parks: hiking, tents, fires, starry skies
  • Water activities: kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling
  • Travel prep: booking flights, packing bags, checking maps
  • Transit moments: airports, train stations, waiting at gates
  • Accommodations: hotel keys, balcony coffee, cozy rentals
  • City exploring: street food, landmarks, ziplines, subways

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQIA+ Pride Month – Joy, Justice, Real Representation

  • High-energy Pride events: flags, glitter, dancing, parades
  • Intimate moments: same-sex couples parenting, cuddling, getting engaged
  • Chosen family: friend groups, intergenerational bonds, allyship
  • Workplace pride: LGBTQ+ professionals, supportive teams, pride campaigns
  • Wellness + mental health: therapy, journaling, queer-centered self-care
  • At-home celebrations: rainbow decor, family dinners, parenting scenes
  • Include diverse stories: trans joy, nonbinary folks, queer people with disabilities, BIPOC LGBTQ+ experiences

UPLOAD:

August/ September Content

✔️Late Summer Vacations

✔️Summer Camp

✔️Team Sports

✔️Back to School

✔️Harvest

✔️Cold & Flu Season

✔️Farms, Fall Gardens

✔️Begin Q4 (October, November, December) Holiday Content

(See “themes to capture” from these months in the Profitable Stock Planner for more!)

xo,
Aubrey

Aubrey Westlund

Stock Photography Expert

Aubrey Westlund is a photographer, educator, and creator of Stock Photography Academy, a course designed to help photographers turn their everyday moments into passive income. Eight years ago, Aubrey dove into stock photography, paid off $30,000 in debt, and left behind a successful wedding photography business to create a life of creative freedom. Aubrey empowers other photographers— to embrace stock photography, teaching them how to consistently upload and license images without overthinking the process. She’s a lover of capturing the beauty of everyday life, gardening, seasonal living, creating art in many forms, and finding balance as a creative business owner. Through stock photography, Aubrey helps her students master the craft, build a sustainable income, and fall in love with photography all over again.

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