What Are Stock Photos And How Can I Use Them?

What are stock photos?

Stock photos are a group of photos that are licensed for a specific use. These usually are found in databases in many places around the internet and are meant to be purchased for specific uses. Advertising and promotional use are two very common reasons that one would find this type of picture useful.

These pictures are usually submitted from various photographs who agree to allow them to be used for promotional purposes and advertisements among other things. There is most often a cost associated with them, however there are some that can be used without a cost. For those working on a very tight budget sometimes the ones available without a cost are the best choice available for them. There are different types of purchase agreements as well.

A photograph can be purchased for specific use or it can be a royalty free purchase. Specific use can mean for a specified purpose for a specific period. Royalty free means that the user has made the purchase and can use the picture in any way they choose. Depending on what you are searching for you may find specific use the better choice for your needs.

How can I use them?

The photos are used for nearly any purpose from advertisements to promotional use. Printed and electronic use is permitted. The prices vary greatly from picture to picture as well as from site to site. Generally this type of photograph will be used instead of hiring a professional photographer to take scenes for you. This helps to keep costs down and speeds up the creativity process when you are working on an item. Many of these will provide instant access to the image for use immediately upon completion of the payment.

Within each purchase type, there are categories which specify how the photographs can be used. For example, under specific rights, also referred to as Rights Managed or RM, purchase is categorized by usage, specific use, duration, print run, territory, size, or exclusivity. Royalty free pictures do not necessarily mean the images will be used for free but it means that there is usually only a one time fee associated with it and normally a time limit is applicable.

These types of pictures will be found in many places. Different photographers place their pictures with various websites for the use of others with the understanding that they will be paid based on the purchases or some sell the pictures outright to the different sites. If you are searching for specific artists, you will need to know first if they sell their work.

Once you've decided on the pictures you wish to you, simply complete the purchase. Be sure that you only use the items for what they were purchased for or you may find that you will owe more money. Review the purchase agreement carefully to make sure you stay within the boundaries. Using the photograph for the wrong purchase can result in many different actions against you, the least being another bill for the use.