We accept:
Understanding Stock Photography Use
by Joan Rudder-Ward
Stock photography images are the predominant source of images used by businesses- both on the web and in printed media used for advertising and marketing purposes. This article answers some of the frequently asked questions about stock photography, and some of the pros and cons of using stock images.
Frequently asked questions about Stock Photography
Pros and Cons of using Stock Photography
What is stock photography?
Wikipedia definition:
Stock photography is photography or other imagery of common landmarks, concepts, and events that can be used and reused for commercial design purposes. Book publishers, specialty publishers, magazines, advertising agencies, film makers, web designers, graphic artists, interior decor firms, corporate creative groups, and other entities utilize stock photography to fulfill the needs of their creative assignments
Photographytips.com: short version
STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY - Images that are not photographed for a specific client or use, but are catalogued for review and selection by someone who may have a use for the image.
How much do stock images cost?
Prices of stock photographs vary as do the terms of use of the photos you select. Some sites that offer free-use images stipulate images are not to be used for commercial applications (i.e. for business purposes, but will allow you to purchase the right to use it for a commercial purpose. Prices can range from $100 and up for a single image, or you can purchase the right to download collections of images for a subscription fee.
Subscription fees vary according to the agency. A place like Shutter Stock (shutterstock.com) charges a monthly subscription fee of $139, and you can download up to 25 images a day for a maximum of 750 images per month. A huge, well-know agency like Getty Images (gettyimages.com) has a monthly subscription fee of $400, and a 50 images limit download per month
What does it mean when images are Royalty-Free?
Royalty-free images are those you pay a one-time usage fee and have permission to use the image multiple times according to the stipulations for use. Limitations on the photos purchased can be read in the End User License Agreement which is listed on the site.
What are "Rights-Managed" images?
These are images that you can buy exclusive rights to for an agreed upon period of time, and you can feel pretty safe that no one else will be using the same images as you.
Pros and Cons of Using Stock Photos
Pros
You can use search terms to find images to fit your needs
Once you've set up an account, you can start downloading images right away
You don't have to wait to have photographs taken
Stock photos can be more economical than paying a photographer to take custom images for you
Cons
You can spend a lot of time searching for the right images to fit your specific needs
The images are neither original nor unique to you and your business. They could show up in your competitor's marketing/advertising material
New released and popular images are frequently purchased and can over-saturate the market.
There is usually some type of restriction on image use. Carefully read the end-user license agreement to be sure you are in compliance with image use. We break down the parts of a common end-user license agreement to give you a better understanding of how it works here
Where you can buy photos
Here are a few stock agency sites
www.photosubscribe.com
www.inmagine.com
www.shutterstock.com
www.myloupe.com
www.gettyimages.com
www.corbis.com
www.freephotos.com
www.freestockphotos.com
www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/
For your business use, my personal suggestion is to avoid using the stock images that come free with your word-processing programs, graphics programs, etc as these images are readily available for personal use by your prospective clients.
© 2003-2007 J Rudder of Wise Woman Enterprises All Rights Reserved
Contact J Rudder for rights to reproduce articles on Marketing with Photos electronically
We welcome your comments and suggestions on articles from Wise Woman Enterprises