What is Stock Footage?
Stock footage refers to pre-recorded video content, here it is meticulously catalogued and licensed for integration into various media projects such as films, television programs, advertisements, and online content. It’s an incredibly efficient and tactical alternative to commissioning original filming, saving precious time, money, and logistical effort. Stock footage is often the B-roll, the secondary shots that enrich your core narrative and provide essential context—for example, a drone soaring over Coventry’s historic streets or a timelapse of cars driving through dusk. The beauty of it is that the work of someone who has already climbed the peak, and outlasted the odds is delivered directly to you, ready to use. I’m a specialist cameraman with 20 years of experience, and my library currently holds over 20,000 clips in over 300 packs, over 100 hours of 4K cinematic material as of November 2025. It’s the result of frozen nights and city standoffs, delivered right to your doorstep.
What Sets Your Footage Apart from Other Providers?
My stock footage is the raw output of a career spent facing the elements and honing my craft. It is a meticulously curated resource, personally captured by a broadcast professional who has worked with specialist cameras on thousands of occasions in over 30 countries. My background in the British Army, where I specialised as an ISTAR operator and earned a Brigadier’s commendation on operations in Iraq in 2008, ingrained in me the resilience and grit needed to deliver in high-pressure environments. These are not just generic clips; they are cinematic 4K visuals born of discipline and determination, from the snowy slopes of mountains with cold hands and an icy beard, to the chaotic heart of a bustling city.
The licensing model is a cornerstone of my unique offering. While other providers often have complex tiers and hidden fees, my license is simple and all-inclusive. There are no extra fees for 4K and no extra fees for use in broadcast TV and film—a rarity in the industry. My license is designed for professionals and offers complete transparency, ensuring you are never hit with a surprise bill. The sheer quality and variety of my library, from ethereal drone shots and epic timelapses to cinematic gimbal moves and magnificent landscapes, also set my work apart from the diluted, mass-produced content of corporate libraries.
What is Your Licensing Model?
My licensing is clear, direct, and designed to eliminate the confusion and financial risk that often plagues the industry. All my footage is sold with a royalty-free license, meaning you make a single payment for a perpetual right to use the content. You can use my clips in unlimited projects for any audience, including broadcast television and film, without any additional fees or circulation limits. This cuts through the complex tiers of other providers, who might charge a premium for high-resolution footage or for broadcast rights.
It’s important to understand the distinction between commercial and editorial use, even though my license permits both. Commercial use is directly profit-driven, such as in advertisements or branded content. Editorial use is for informational purposes, like news and documentaries. While my footage is captured in public spaces and is often perfect for both, the responsibility lies with the buyer to ensure any necessary clearances are obtained. For example, a clip featuring Lady Godiva’s statue in Coventry is perfect for a documentary, but if you want to use it in an advertisement for a specific product, you must verify that such use is legally permissible.
How Much Does Stock Footage Cost?
Pricing in the stock footage industry spans a wide spectrum. At the lower end, free options like Pexels offer overused, low-resolution basics that are generally unsuitable for professional productions. Mid-level providers charge a range, while premium outlets can demand £500 or more per clip, with additional fees for broadcast rights or higher circulation. This is where my library offers a decisive advantage. My pricing is designed for unparalleled value. You can get single clips starting from just £29, and the average cost per clip in a pack is significantly lower than most competitors. For a vast collection like my Birmingham UK Stock Video Footage Library, which holds over a thousand clips, the cost per clip averages just £17.94. This approach ensures you get premium, professional 4K footage without the exorbitant price tag and unexpected fees.
Why Choose Your Stock Footage Over a Custom Shoot?
Stock footage offers significant advantages over custom shoots, particularly in terms of practicality and cost. A custom shoot means dealing with a cascade of expenses—freelance crew rates, equipment hire, travel costs, and the unpredictability of weather and access that can blow a budget apart. For a project as comprehensive as my Birmingham library, a custom shoot could easily run to £60,000 or more. I’ve personally logged hundreds of nights in a snowy tent just to capture the perfect shots for my library. You, on the other hand, can simply download the footage you need, instantly and without the drama.
My footage is the product of my battles—your gain. I’ve faced everything from local authorities in Baku detaining me over a drone to a dozen armed police circling my drone over London’s Parliament at 4 a.m.. By purchasing from my library, you skip all these logistical nightmares, permit hassles, and spiralling costs, and instead secure cinematic quality that is ready for immediate use.
Where Can Stock Footage Be Used?
Stock footage is the silent workhorse of media and can be used for virtually any purpose. My clips have appeared in TV productions, feature films, online content, corporate presentations, and social media platforms. My archive is designed to serve a broad range of production needs. A drama might use my moody woodland scenes, while a documentary could use my footage of the HS2 construction site to add authority and context. The footage is incredibly versatile. My license is broad, allowing for use in all these contexts without additional fees or circulation limits.
How Do I Buy and Download the Footage?
The process is designed to be as simple and direct as possible. For single clips, a download link is provided immediately upon purchase. For Clip Packs and SELECT, you’ll receive the download link within 24 hours (usually 1 hour), and for the entire ULTIMATE library, which currently holds over 18,519 clips, I will also ship you a high-capacity external hard drive containing the complete collection for your convenience and backup. As new clip packs are released, you will receive a secure download link for those future updates at no extra cost. This ensures you have immediate access and a reliable long-term archive.