Video editing

How to make great videos using stock videos and images

Updated December 18, 2024
Written by Kieron Byatt

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A user adding a stock video to the timeline in the free Clipchamp video editor.

Bring your videos to life in seconds using beautiful free stock video and image assets. Stock media can transform an average video into an extraordinary one, whether you’re making YouTube intros, slideshow presentations, or social media ads. Stock videos, images, and graphics can enhance engagement, fill in content gaps, and make your videos look more professional.

Explore a wide range of royalty-free stock assets in different video and image categories like landscapes, technology & AI, and more. You can search the content library using mood and genre keywords or browse trending stock videos in current social media trends.

Read on to learn how to create a video using royalty-free stock videos and images with Clipchamp.

How to create a video with stock images and videos

Clipchamp video editor includes a variety of free stock videos and images in different genres for all users to enjoy. If you’re a Clipchamp premium subscriber, you’ll gain access to a wider variety of premium stock videos and images within the content library.

Step 1. Select stock videos

Click on the content library tab on the toolbar then select videos from the visuals drop down arrow. Browse through the themed collections or search for a genre, aesthetic, or industry using the keyword search bar.

A user searching for stock videos inside the content library in Clipchamp.

Once you’ve found the right stock video footage, click on the + button or drag and drop to add it to the timeline.

A user adding a stock video asset to the timeline in Clipchamp.

Step 2. Select stock images

To overlay images on top of your stock video, click on the content library tab and select images from the visuals drop down arrow. You can explore by image category or enter keywords into the search bar for on-theme visuals that suit your video.

A user searching for stock images inside the content library in Clipchamp.

Once you’ve found the right stock image for your video, click the + button or drag and drop to add to the timeline above the video asset.

A user adding a stock image to the timeline in Clipchamp.

Repeat this step to add multiple image and video overlays. Make sure you drag all overlay assets on top of your primary stock video footage.

A user adding multiple stock images above a video asset on the timeline in Clipchamp.

Step 3. Customize stock videos with effects and filters

To add filters to achieve a different color tone or aesthetic, click on the asset on the timeline then click on the filters tab on the property panel. Scroll through the filters collection or enter keywords into the search bar to find the best video for your video's mood or genre. Hover above a video filter to preview, then click on the filter to apply to your asset. You can adjust the strength of the filter by dragging the intensity slider left or right.

A user adding a filter to a stock video in Clipchamp.

To add effects like grainy VHS, spin, glitch and more, click on the asset on the timeline, then click on the effects tab on the property panel. Scroll through the effects or enter keywords into the search bar to find images by genre or mood. Hover over the effect to preview, then click on the effect to apply to your selected asset. Adjust the strength and pace of the effect by dragging the intensity slider and the speed slider left or right.

A user adding the glitch effect to stock imagery in Clipchamp.

Step 4. Adjust the speed and duration of assets

To speed up or slow down your stock video footage, click on the asset in the timeline then click on the speed tab on the property panel. Enter your preferred speed into the text field or drag the speed slider left to slow down or right to speed up. Be mindful that slowing your video down will make it longer and speeding it up will make it shorter. This will be reflected by the asset length in the timeline.

A user adjusting the speed of a stock video asset in Clipchamp.

To change the duration of your overlaid images, multi-select your timeline assets by holding down Command (MacBook) or Control (PC) and clicking on each asset on the timeline. Then, drag the handles left or right to change the duration of the assets.

For video assets, changing the duration can sometimes move the placement on the timeline as the assets become smaller or longer. Make sure all video assets are in the correct timeline position before continuing.

A user adjusting the duration of a group of stock assets in Clipchamp.

Step 5. Preview and save your video

Once you’ve finished all your editing, make sure your video plays perfectly by previewing before exporting. Click on the play button to watch your video back, then when you’re ready to save, click on the export button and select a video resolution.

A user exporting a video containing stock video and images in Clipchamp.

Enhance videos with AI-powered video editing tools

Improve your videos in a couple mouse-clicks using these quick and easy AI video editing tools.

  • Add narration with an AI voiceover: create realistic voiceovers to make your videos made with stock assets more engaging with the easy text to speech generator. Choose from a variety of natural sounding voices in multiple languages to make globally sharable content.

  • Improve accessibility using automatic subtitles: make your videos more accessible and inclusive using autocaptions. The subtitle generator creates fast and editable captions so that your videos are better enjoyed by people with hearing impairment or anybody watching on mute.

  • Remove image backgrounds: erase unwanted backgrounds from any still image in the content library with the AI background remover. Customize any photo into pro-quality visuals by isolating focus areas and scrubbing out unnecessary surroundings.

  • Edit out silences in voice recordings: remove unintentional pauses and clumsy silences from voice recordings with the AI silence remover. Automatically detect and delete any audio gaps so your voice recording is smooth and captivating.

Here’s a preview of some of the trending royalty-free stock videos and images in the content library inside the Clipchamp video editor. The below examples are also paired with on-theme background music to inspire you further.

Intros and outros

Start or finish your video with captivating visuals while also creating consistent branding for your YouTube channel. The intros and outros collection contains a range of striking animated title cards in a variety of aesthetics and genres.

Offices and businesses

Seeking stock workplace visuals for your next LinkedIn video? Give your thought leadership or product demos that high-quality finish by exploring a wide range of stock footage and images.

Abstract patterns

If you’re creating a corporate video with a lot of information, but still want your visuals to be interesting, try adding an abstract pattern as a backdrop. This collection of 2D and 3D animated shapes and figures make excellent video backgrounds that hold attention without being distracting.

Celebrations

Add some sparkle and shine to holiday video invitations! Combine visuals of fireworks and party times with energetic royalty-free music to build anticipation for any special occasion. Overlay images using blend mode to create a mesmerizing picture-in-picture effect.

Education

Keep your students engaged by adding stock classroom visuals to your online learning videos. You’ll find educational imagery for classes of every year level across a range of subjects. Pick from primary school book reports to thesis-level applied mathematics.

Frequently asked questions

Are stock videos free in Clipchamp?

Stock videos, images, graphics, backgrounds, and audio are free to use in Clipchamp. Paid users have access to a wider range of stock assets. If you don’t have a premium account, simply replace premium stock assets with free assets, or upgrade your account to access and export.

How many stock videos can I add to my video?

There's no limit to the number of stock videos you can use. If you would like to add more than one video, we recommend adding a transition between each video clip, so the videos blend seamlessly.

Do stock videos and images have a watermark?

All stock videos and images inside the Clipchamp content library do not have a watermark.

Continue perfecting your video editing skills by learning how to add video frames and borders then transform your voice recordings and music with these easy audio editing hacks.

Start creating captivating videos using stock media today with the free Clipchamp video editor or download the Clipchamp Microsoft Windows app.

Start creating free videos with Clipchamp