Purchasing a license for stock footage of Central Pennsylvania through All Business Videography beats the competition on price and substance.
Why Hiring a Local Videographer for Stock Footage Beats National Syndicates
When you're in need of high-quality stock footage of a specific location, your first instinct might be to turn to well-known national syndicates like Getty Images or Shutterstock. While these platforms offer a vast library of content, there are compelling reasons to consider hiring a local videographer instead. From authenticity to cost-effectiveness, the advantages of working with a local professional are hard to ignore.
1. Authenticity and Relevance
National syndicates often provide generic footage designed to appeal to a broad audience. However, if you need stock footage that truly captures the essence of a specific location, a local videographer is your best bet. Local professionals have firsthand knowledge of the area, allowing them to highlight unique features, landmarks, and hidden gems that might not appear in a national database.
For example, a local videographer can capture the subtle nuances of a town’s seasonal events, authentic street scenes, or iconic cultural spots that an out-of-town stock library might miss. This authenticity can make your project stand out and resonate more deeply with your audience.
Local Videographers provide Customization and Flexibility for "stock" footage
2. Hiring a local videographer gives you the flexibility to request specific shots tailored to your project’s needs. National syndicates cannot provide this level of customization—you’re limited to what’s already available in their libraries. Local videographers can work closely with you to achieve your vision, whether it’s capturing a specific angle, time of day, or unique perspective.
Need footage during golden hour? Want drone shots of a particular neighborhood? A local professional can make it happen with ease.
3. Cost-Effectiveness
While national stock footage platforms may appear convenient, they often come with hefty licensing fees—especially for commercial use. These fees can escalate quickly if you need exclusive rights or plan to use the footage across multiple platforms.
On the other hand, a local videographer can provide customized footage at a comparable or even lower cost. Plus, the value you gain from tailored content often outweighs the investment.
How much does stock b-roll of Central Pennsylvania cost from international outlets?
The price difference between hiring a local videographer for stock footage as compared to an international company might be huge. In the example below, a 5 second piece of footage showing the exterior of Pattee Library and Paterno Library would cost $999 dollars for full web/digital advertising rights. As you can see, that footage is only 480 pixels in quality. Your video quality would literally be 8 times higher if you choose All Business Videography for similar clips. We record everything in 4K quality, which is 3,840 pixels.
Purchasing a license for stock footage from Getty images can be costly.This screenshot was captured on January 7, 2025 when this video asset was listed on this landing page.
Why local videographers shouldn't be overlooked for gathering so-called "stock video"
4. Institutional Knowledge
Local videographers bring a wealth of institutional knowledge that can elevate your project. They understand the nuances of their city, town, or region, and can recommend the perfect backdrop for a given line of your script. Whether it’s a bustling downtown for a dynamic scene, a serene park for a reflective moment, or an iconic landmark to emphasize local pride, their insights can save you time and ensure your footage aligns seamlessly with your vision. This level of expertise is something national syndicates simply cannot replicate.
5. Building Relationships
Working with a local videographer isn’t just a transaction; it’s an opportunity to build a professional relationship. Local creatives value community connections and are more likely to go the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction. Over time, these relationships can lead to ongoing collaborations, exclusive deals, and a deeper understanding of your brand or project needs.
6. Supporting Local Talent
Choosing a local videographer contributes directly to the local economy and supports independent artists in your community. By investing in local talent, you’re helping to sustain a vibrant creative ecosystem while fostering unique perspectives and storytelling.
7. Avoiding Oversaturation
Stock footage from national platforms is often used repeatedly by multiple businesses, which can dilute its impact. By hiring a local videographer, you gain access to exclusive, one-of-a-kind footage that ensures your content stands out. Unique visuals can give your project a competitive edge and help it connect more meaningfully with your audience.
How corporate mergers might affect the cost and quality of local images
Facing stiff competition from artificial intelligence, Getty Images and Shutterstock announced a merger in early January 2025. The deal is worth a reported $3.7 Billion. So with media giants like these joining forces, there's definitely no signs that prices would come down for the average cost of a niche shot from Central PA. While national syndicates like Getty Images and Shutterstock offer convenience, they can't compete with the authenticity, flexibility, and uniqueness of hiring a local videographer for stock footage. By choosing a local professional, you gain tailored content, build meaningful relationships, and support your community—all while creating a final product that truly stands out. Next time you need stock footage of a specific location, think local—your project will thank you.
Ready to Elevate Your Visual Storytelling with Central PA beauty shots?
Our stock footage is priced on a custom quote per case, ensuring you get exactly what you need at a fair price. Plus, our licensing terms are straightforward: your footage is licensed irrevocably and in perpetuity for use across all platforms—those that exist today and those yet to be invented. In a majority of cases, we still use the phrase "stock footage" because the assets come from our existing library. However, there are scenarios where we might capture a niche visual for a new client and reserve the right to add it to our library for resale. Each scenario is unique. Reach out today to discuss your project and discover how we can bring your vision to life.