Custom
vs
Stock

Your actual team. Your actual product. Your actual story.

Portfolio Advisors

Brand Intro Film

What we do

Film & Video

TV spots, brand films, and social content shot on cinema-grade equipment. Vetted crews across LA, the Bay Area, and California's Central Valley.

Photography

Product, lifestyle, editorial, and commercial photography for brands that want to stand out. Studio or on location — anywhere in California.

Web & Digital

Marketing sites, web apps, and e-commerce stores built to perform and convert. We design and engineer end to end, from first wireframe through launch.

Branding

Identity, creative direction, and visual systems with a clear point of view. We build brands that look right, sound right, and drive real revenue.

Strategy

Go-to-market planning, campaign strategy, and content direction that ties everything together. We make sure the work lands — and performs.

Film & Video

TV spots, brand films, and social content shot on cinema-grade equipment. Vetted crews across LA, the Bay Area, and California's Central Valley.

Photography

Product, lifestyle, editorial, and commercial photography for brands that want to stand out. Studio or on location — anywhere in California.

Web & Digital

Marketing sites, web apps, and e-commerce stores built to perform and convert. We design and engineer end to end, from first wireframe through launch.

Branding

Identity, creative direction, and visual systems with a clear point of view. We build brands that look right, sound right, and drive real revenue.

Strategy

Go-to-market planning, campaign strategy, and content direction that ties everything together. We make sure the work lands — and performs.

2–5×

Higher conversion rates with custom vs stock footage

73%

Of consumers prefer authentic content over polished generic ads

3–5 yr

Shelf life of well-produced custom video vs 1–2 yr for stock

Side-by-side

Custom Production

Stock Footage

Brand Authenticity

100% unique to youYour team, space, products

Generic, sharedAnyone can use the same clip

Audience Connection

High emotional impactReal people viewers can relate to

Low / generic feelViewers recognize stock footage

Conversion Rates

2–5× higherAuthenticity drives action

BaselineGeneric content performs generically

Competitor Risk

NoneYour footage is yours alone

HighCompetitors may use the same clip

SEO Value

Original content ranksUnique assets signal quality

Duplicate content riskSame files across many sites

Customization

UnlimitedTailored to your exact message

Limited editing onlyCan't change what's in frame

Team / Product Showcase

Your actual team and productsBuild real brand recognition

Generic actors and itemsNo connection to your brand

Long-term Value

Evergreen assetUnique, ages with your brand

Quickly datedVisual trends date stock rapidly

Cost per Video

$3,000–$25,000+Investment in a real brand asset

$50–$500Lower upfront, limited returns

Time to Create

2–6 weeksPre-production + shoot + post

HoursSearch, license, edit

Selected Work

All projects

01Finance

Portfolio Advisors

Brand Intro Film

02Tech

Eightfold AI

30-Second Brand Spot

03Healthcare

Valley Children's

Sleep Study Campaign

04CPG

1971 Hook

The Proposal — 30s Commercial Spot

05Tech

Cosmic Robotics

Brand Video

View all

Select Clients

When each works

Custom Video Wins:

Brand commercials and advertisements
Product demonstrations and launches
Customer testimonials and case studies
Company culture and recruiting videos
Sales and marketing campaigns
Website hero videos

Stock Footage Works For:

Internal presentations (not customer-facing)
B-roll to supplement custom footage
Quick social media filler content
Low-budget MVP concept testing
Generic background visuals

FAQ

Is stock footage ever appropriate for business?

Yes, for internal use, B-roll supplementation, or when testing concepts before investing in custom production. However, customer-facing marketing should prioritize original content.

Why does custom video convert better?

Authenticity matters. Viewers can tell the difference between generic stock footage and real content. Custom videos build trust, showcase your actual team and products, and create emotional connections that drive action.

Can you mix stock footage with custom production?

Absolutely. Many projects use stock footage strategically as B-roll while custom footage handles key messages. This can reduce costs while maintaining authenticity where it matters.

How much should I budget for custom video?

Business videos typically range from $3,000 for simple content to $25,000+ for commercials. The ROI often exceeds costs through increased conversions and brand value.

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