From New Member to Top Earner in One Year: An Interview with Ewold Kooistra

An aerial view of Basilica Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, and the shimmering lagoon behind it. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

By Rebecca Duras

The sun rises through the fog behind St. Bonifatiuskerk, Cornwerd, Netherlands. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

You’re a very prolific photographer, and the size of your portfolio is one of the things that makes you stand out. How did you create such a large portfolio?

In recent years, I have traveled extensively to destinations all over the world, from bustling cities to remote natural landscapes. My drone always came with me, allowing me to capture places from a unique perspective.

I constantly sought out special locations and moments, such as sunrises and sunsets, as well as spontaneous scenes you can only see from above. By consistently photographing and filming, my portfolio has grown into a diverse collection of images that reflect both my travels and my development as a photographer and drone pilot.

Colorful houselike tombs stretch across Sumpango cemetery, Guatemala. Ewold manages to stay prolific despite an exhausting travel schedule. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

Traveling, shooting, and then editing hundreds of photos and videos on top of a full workload is an exhausting prospect, which is why many creatives shy away from building their portfolio as much as they should. How do you adjust your mindset while out in the field to build such a large portfolio?

For me, it’s all about staying open, observant, and ready to create. When I’m out in the field, I don’t just focus on the one perfect shot I might have planned — I also keep my eyes open for unexpected moments and unique perspectives.

I treat every outing as an opportunity to add something new to my portfolio, even if the conditions aren’t ideal. Sometimes the most interesting images come from adapting to the weather, the light, or an unplanned scene.

I also make a conscious effort to vary my subjects, angles, and compositions so that my portfolio grows in both size and diversity. Over time, this mindset of curiosity and consistency has helped me capture a broad range of visuals that tell a richer, more complete story.

Aerial view of a floating market, Lok Baintan, Indonesia. Ewold’s portfolio is prolific without compromising on quality. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

Some people think that as a photographer, you have to choose between quantity and quality. How do you grow your portfolio without compromising on quality?

For me, quality always comes first, and quantity naturally follows. Every photo and video in my portfolio goes through the same process: planning, shooting, careful editing, and selection. I prefer a few strong images over many mediocre ones.

By working regularly and paying close attention to light, composition, and post-processing, my portfolio grows steadily over time without compromising on quality.

Krammersluizen windpark near Bruinisse, Netherlands. Ewold’s talent makes mundane places such as windparks seem beautiful. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

You’ve created such an impact on Amazing Aerial, both with your earning and with your talent. Amazing Aerial Magazine already interviewed you in 2024 about your unique talent in capturing misty landscapes. With such an impact, it’s hard to believe that you’ve only been a member of Amazing Aerial since 2024! What made you decide to join Amazing Aerial?

I noticed Amazing Aerial popping up in my Instagram stories several times, with people talking about their experiences and how they earn good money through the platform. Each time I saw it, my curiosity grew. I’d been looking for an agency that specializes in aerial footage, because that’s where my passion lies.

What also excited me was the idea of being part of a community of people who share the same interests, passion, and creative vision. For me, it’s not just about the income, but also about learning from others, sharing ideas, and feeling inspired by the work of like-minded creators. Amazing Aerial seemed like the perfect place to combine all of that.

Aerial view of a historic church in Penafiel, Portugal. In the relatively short time he has been a member, Ewold has made a considerable impact on Amazing Aerial. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

What has your experience with Amazing Aerial been like so far?

My experience with the platform has been excellent from the very beginning. The team provided me with clear and easy-to-follow instructions on how everything works — from setting up my account to understanding the different features of the platform. They also guided me step-by-step on how to upload my content so it could be distributed to all the major stock agencies in their network.

This support made the whole process very efficient. In a short amount of time, I was able to upload my entire portfolio without any issues. Once my content was live, I quickly started seeing results and generating a steady stream of revenue. What I appreciate most is how simple they’ve made it to focus on creating new work, knowing the distribution and technical side is fully taken care of.

A picturesque winter scene in Hindeloopen, Netherlands. Images such as these propelled Ewold to the top of Amazing Aerial’s list of high-earning creatives. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

It’s clear that your style of work and Amazing Aerial’s mission are a match, because the numbers don’t lie. You’re Amazing Aerial’s top earner, even though you joined only last year. How did you manage to take advantage of all that Amazing Aerial has to offer?

I think the key was taking full advantage of the tools and support Amazing Aerial offers from day one. When I joined, I spent time learning exactly how the platform works, how to optimize my uploads, and how to present my footage so it would stand out to buyers. The team’s clear guidance on distribution to multiple stock agencies also helped me get my entire portfolio online quickly.

Once my content was live, I focused on uploading consistently and diversifying my footage — not just in terms of locations, but also in terms of styles, seasons, and subjects. This way, I could appeal to a broader audience and increase my chances of sales year-round.

In short, I treated Amazing Aerial as both a creative outlet and a business opportunity. By combining my passion for aerial photography and video with a strategic approach to uploading and portfolio building, I was able to see strong results in a relatively short time.

The sunrises over the Duomo in Florence. Besides his creative eye, Ewold’s business savvy and willingness to take advantage of all that Amazing Aerial has to offer helped him succeed. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

You decided to take all of your photos off of other agencies and only have them on Amazing Aerial. What made you take that step? What effects are you seeing from this change?

The reason I wanted to change agencies was that I wasn’t seeing the results I expected for all the work I was putting in. Originally, I was working with Blackbox. A friend recommended that I try Blackbox as a way to sell the videos I had stored on my hard drives and turn them into a source of passive income. At the time, I had built up quite a collection of footage over the years, but it was just sitting there, unseen and unused. His suggestion made me realize that there was real potential to put that content to work.

I decided to give it a try, and that’s how I started my stock footage career. In the beginning, it was a learning process — figuring out how the platform worked, preparing my files, and understanding what kind of content sells. But once I got the hang of it, I saw the possibilities of earning from work I had already created, and that motivated me to keep going and produce even more. That first step was the spark that eventually led me deeper into the world of stock and, later on, to even greater opportunities with Amazing Aerial.

With Blackbox, the 70-shots-per-week upload limit made it far too time-consuming to get my entire portfolio onto the agencies. Amazing Aerial not only distributes to far more agencies than Blackbox, but also offers AI-powered metadata, which makes the upload process much easier and saves me a huge amount of time.

Sunrise pokes through the misty landscape of Nepal Van Java, Indonesia. Ewold’s beautiful images are now exclusively available through Amazing Aerial. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

What advice would you give new photographers just starting out?

My main advice would be to start by uploading consistently and building a diverse portfolio as quickly as possible. Don’t just focus on your best location or one style — include different seasons, weather conditions, and subjects so your work appeals to a wider audience year-round.

Also, take the time to learn how the platform works and use the tools Amazing Aerial provides, like AI-powered metadata. This will save you a huge amount of time and help you get your content online faster.

Finally, be patient. Stock photography and video is a long-term game — the more you upload and the more variety you offer, the better your results will be over time. Treat it like both a creative outlet and a business, and you’ll see the rewards.

Adorable bolwoningen houses in s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. Ewold’s advice for photographers is to focus on diversity and consistency when building a portfolio. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

You and Amazing Aerial have an exciting road ahead of you together. What do you hope to accomplish in the future with your time at Amazing Aerial?

In the future, I aim to keep expanding my portfolio with high-quality, diverse aerial footage that can reach an even wider audience through Amazing Aerial’s network. I want to continue learning from the community, drawing inspiration from other creators, and refining my skills so I can keep growing both creatively and commercially. Ultimately, my goal is to build a sustainable, long-term income doing what I love and to have the freedom to travel the world while earning passive income along the way.

See More Stunning Photos Below!

A tornado forms behind a lighthouse on Cape Lefkatas, Ionian Sea, Greece © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

Saint Eusebius Church is illuminated against the night sky in Arnhem, The Netherlands. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

A canal reflects the bright setting sun in Kinderdijk, South Holland, the Netherlands. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

Golden sunlight illuminates the morning mist over this village, The Netherlands. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

Tulip fields stretch behind a scenic canal landscape, Lisse, The Netherlands. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

Gentle light shines over a village in Provence, France. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

Mist rises over a tulip field, Lisse, The Netherlands. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

Aerial view of a village with historic windmills, Zaanse Schans, The Netherlands. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra