Stock websites are an excellent source for finding and downloading high-quality, licensed visuals for business projects. But if you’re new to using stock photos for paid or free commercial use, understanding the legal aspects and distinguishing between different licenses can be challenging. Misusing an image or selecting the wrong license can lead to copyright issues, making it essential to know the rights and restrictions associated with each type of stock content.
This article explains stock photography, covers the benefits of using stock content, and taps into the basics of stock visual licensing. Read on to learn how to efficiently source stock photos for commercial use from Depositphotos or other similar platforms.
What are stock photos, and are they free to use?
Stock photos are visuals that are either professionally taken or high-quality. They are published on special platforms (stock websites) and can be used by individuals, businesses, and content creators. They are often used for website designs, advertisements, social media posts, blog articles, and other creative visual projects.
Stock visuals are very popular, with the global stock image and video market forecasted to reach $9.3 billion by 2032. That’s because they have numerous benefits for individuals and businesses (especially small and medium ones).
Some stock photos are completely free to use. Others, however, require payment to be used legally and watermark-free. To be safe and ensure that you’re not violating any rules, you must always check the license and its terms before using stock photos and other free online images.
The benefits of working with stock photos for free and paid commercial use
Here are the main reasons to work with stock visuals if you are a business owner, a marketer, or a content creator:
- They are cost-effective. The average photographer’s salary in the US is $21 per hour. While this rate might seem affordable, it isn’t necessarily cost-effective, especially when a photoshoot lasts several hours or days. In this case, you can save costs by choosing stock images instead. Even premium options are generally more affordable than an entire photoshoot.
- They help save time. You can download such pictures instantly and start using them immediately. This is a great option if you’re launching a marketing campaign or creating social media posts under tight deadlines.
- Their quality is exceptional. Such visuals are created by skilled photographers and pass strict moderation. That’s why they are great for creatives looking for polished, well-lit images for websites, ads, and branding.
- They are diverse. You can find stock photos for any industry, from corporate to fashion, food, and travel. You can also easily discover pictures from diverse locations and address different themes.
- They are legally safe to use. Licensing terms and conditions are generally straightforward and clear, reducing the risk of copyright infringement.
At the same time, paid and free stock images for commercial use might not fit if:
- You need unique, custom branding. Despite their diversity, such visuals can be downloaded and used by other brands, including your competitors;
- You are promoting a very specific product or service. In this case, the stock visuals might not represent your offer well enough.
What are royalty-free images for commercial use?
Royalty-free (RF) images for commercial use are stock photos that you can legally use in projects that are intended for business, marketing, or profit-making activities without paying royalties per each consecutive use. Usually, you pay for such visuals once (or get them for free from certain sources), and then you can use them multiple times within the license terms.
Here’s how they differ from other stock visuals:
- Royalty-free (RF) files can be used multiple times in advertisements, websites, product packaging, and other commercial projects without paying ongoing royalties. However, they sometimes come with certain restrictions, such as not being allowed for reselling or redistribution;
- Rights-managed (RM) visuals require you to purchase a new license each time you need the image for a different purpose. Their price can also depend on various factors, such as location, duration, and audience size. This option is more restrictive and more expensive than an RF license;
- Public Domain (CC0) images don’t have copyright restrictions and are completely free to use for personal and commercial purposes. You don’t need to provide attribution, and there are no limitations on their usage. At the same time, public domain visuals are rarely as diverse and visually appealing as other images, and it can be difficult to find the right one for your specific purpose;
- Editorial Use Only images usually feature news events, celebrities, brands, or copyrighted elements and cannot be used for commercial purposes like advertising or product promotions. Such visuals are meant for journalism, blogs, and educational content. They have specific usage guidelines depending on the source.
Summing up
Stock photos for paid and free commercial use are an affordable, time-saving, and high-quality alternative to custom photography. They are diverse, legally safe to use, and can be a cost- and time-saving option for businesses, marketers, and content creators. However, don’t forget to always check licensing terms before using stock photos to make sure they align with your commercial needs.