How I Reached 10 Million Views on Pexels – And Why I Still Love It

In a few days, my Pexels profile will hit 10 million views.

When someone recently messaged me asking how I reached this point—how I got noticed, what worked for me, what didn’t—I thought: maybe it’s time I share the full story. Not because of the number itself (though hey, 10 million is nice!), but because Pexels has become a kind of home for my creativity. A space that feels pure, pressure-free, and surprisingly meaningful.

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d hit 10 million views on a stock platform like Pexels, I probably would’ve laughed. I didn’t have professional training. I wasn’t working with a big production team. I wasn’t even editing my content in the beginning. But here we are — and the number is real.

This is the story of how I went from casually uploading travel shots to becoming one of the top contributors on Pexels, and why I believe anyone can do the same if they show up consistently and with intention.

So, here it is. My story, what I’ve learned, and what has worked for me—told in the most personal, unfiltered way I know how.

It All Started Very Randomly

I joined Pexels less than two years ago. At the beginning, I was uploading… well, let’s call it “spontaneous chaos.” Random footage. No editing. No consistency. No idea what would work. It was just me, posting for fun.

And honestly? I still post for fun. But something changed along the way.

Pexels is one of the very few platforms that I use without any pressure. There’s no financial gain, no dopamine-driven metrics, no hustle. It’s one of the rare places where I don’t feel the need to perform. And maybe that’s exactly why it has worked for me.

Why I Still Love It

There’s a freedom on Pexels that I can’t find elsewhere.

I use it now almost like a personal portfolio. I don’t upload everything—some footage I keep for my Etsy shop where I sell travel bundles, some goes to Pond5—but I still feel a deep affection for this platform. Pexels gives your content visibility. You don’t feel invisible.

Pond5 used to be okay, but ever since Shutterstock bought it, it’s become frustrating—slow, inflexible, bureaucratic. That’s when I started leaning more into Pexels again. It just flows. I create, I share, I move on. Simple.

How the Numbers Started Rising

Let me be honest: things started shifting when I became intentional. When I stopped posting just anything and started uploading what I knew had potential.

At the beginning, I wasn’t doing anything fancy. I was just posting. Most of my early uploads were completely unedited, captured either with my iPhone XR or my Canon M50 Mark II. I didn’t use Lightroom, I didn’t color grade, I didn’t overthink it. And yet, some of those raw, imperfect photos and videos became my most downloaded. What made the difference? In hindsight, I believe it was either the destination — places like Portofino or the Amalfi Coast, which naturally draw people in — or what I was capturing — moments that told a story, even without the perfect frame.

This is something I really want to emphasize: it’s not about the gear. It’s about the feeling. The emotion. The story. What you portray and how you portray it — that comes first. Then comes the location. And only then comes the equipment. If you have all three, it’s obviously a winning combo. But most of the time, I only have two out of three — and that’s still more than enough.

Now, of course, I’ve evolved. I use my iPhone 14 Pro, my Sony A7s III with the Sigma Art 24–70mm f/2.8 for footage and a Sony 85mm for photography, the DJI Mini 4 Pro for drone shots, and the Insta360 Ace Pro for more immersive footage. I also edit about 99% of what I upload now, and yes — that takes forever. I use Lightroom for photos and have started creating my own presets for specific moods and lighting, which I’m planning to sell on Etsy for very affordable prices.

Still, I don’t want anyone to think they need to start here. You don’t. You can begin with a phone, no edits, no presets, no expensive gear. What matters most is your eye. Your vision. Your ability to notice and share beauty or emotion in the simplest things. That’s what people connect with. That’s what gets downloaded. So don’t hold back because you think your gear isn’t good enough. Just start. Post consistently. And be honest in what you show.

My Top 5 Most Successful Content Types on Pexels

#5 – Black & White (Photography and Video)

This one surprised me. I’ve always loved vibrant colors, dramatic sunsets, vivid scenes. But I noticed that Pexels curators really appreciate black and white content. There’s something timeless and emotional about it.

Now, whenever I upload, I often make a second black-and-white version. Sometimes, that version gets starred—while the original doesn’t. So yes, if you want to stand out: try more monochrome.

#4 – Cities & Urban Life (Mostly Video)

My most successful videos have one thing in common: they were shot in cities. Florence. Milan. London. Budapest

City footage works. Especially videos showing daily life—people walking, doors opening, stairs, narrow alleys, street corners, train departures. Not fancy shots or cinematic tricks. Just real life, as it unfolds. Architecture. Energy. Movement.

It’s about capturing ordinary life in a way that feels natural and human.

#3 – Merry-Go-Rounds, Christmas, and Flashing Lights (Mostly Video)

This is an unexpected winner: merry-go-rounds. I filmed one in Florence and it blew up. I’ve noticed that Pexels curators love anything that involves lights, movement, and that dreamy, nostalgic vibe. Think Christmas markets, London at night, Ferris wheels, Luna Parks, neon lights.

There’s something magical about it, and magic always gets noticed.

So, if you’re somewhere during the holidays—or spot a carousel glowing in the dark—film it. You’ll thank yourself later.

#2 – Portraits (Photography)

Portraits are gold on Pexels. People love people.

I’m lucky because I live in Milan and often photograph models—many of them stunning women—and yes, it works. Beautiful faces attract attention. But even if you don’t have access to models, remember: portraits don’t have to be perfect or commercial. They just need to feel real.

Even natural, candid portraits—wrinkles, messy hair, deep gazes—do incredibly well. Especially in black and white. Especially when there’s emotion in the eyes.

#1 – Drone Footage (Photography and Video)

By far, the best-performing type of content I’ve uploaded.

Pexels loves drones. Almost everything I shoot with my drone gets a star—9 times out of 10. Aerial views, slow pans, top-down shots, urban or rural—everything seems to work.

I haven’t even done that much drone content yet. But I will. It’s a game-changer, both in photos and videos.

**Bonus Tip: Upload What You Like – Even If You Think They Won’t**

Some of my starred videos were things I hesitated to upload. I thought, “They’re never going to like this.” But they did.

Don’t assume you know what will work. You don’t. I certainly don’t.

So post even the content you’re unsure about. Sometimes, the stuff you least expect ends up being your most loved.

What Works for Me

And just to give you an idea of what really worked for me — my top 5 most viewed content on Pexels are all videos, not photos. Which, considering how much effort goes into editing photos, is kind of ironic but also encouraging, because video seems to have a massive impact on the platform.

Here’s the ranking:

Number 5 – A simple video of people walking in the streets of Florence. Just daily life, nothing fancy. City content always worked well for me.
Number 4 and 3 – Both are drone footage over a waterfall in Switzerland. Nature, movement, and perspective — drone content seems to have a special power on Pexels.
Number 2 and 1 – The surprise? A Merry-Go-Round in Florence. Just that. Spinning lights, joyful motion, and something nostalgic about it. I filmed it at different times, and both videos are at the top of my stats.

What does this tell me? That you don’t need crazy complicated setups. You need to know how to see — how to capture a moment that feels alive. Whether it’s the simplicity of city life, the magic of a carousel, or the grandeur of a waterfall, what really connects with viewers is emotion and atmosphere.

What Works for Others (And Not Necessarily for Me)

I’ve seen creators thrive with:

Aesthetic photos (the “Instagram” look)
Abstracts and artistic shots
Moody trees with sunlight through the branches
Buildings that feel lived-in
Quiet moments that seem real, unposed

These aren’t always my style, but they work. So explore. Try what feels honest for you.

Why I’m Still Posting – Even Without Rewards

I’ve never made a cent from Pexels. I’ve never been contacted for a job. No brand reached out. Only one person ever messaged me to ask how I reached 10 million.

But here’s the truth:

The fact that people download my work, 22k downloads so far and counting—that my photos and videos are being used, seen, appreciated—that’s already a reward.

And in a world that screams for attention, where everyone chases fame or money, being able to say “I create because I love it” is a kind of rebellion. A kind of freedom.

Pexels makes me feel like an artist. Like someone whose work is quietly loved by thousands of strangers around the world. And that, honestly, is everything.

If something bigger comes out of it—great. But even if nothing ever does, I’ll keep uploading. Because it reminds me why I started this in the first place.