Do I Need Exclusive Rights for a Stock Photo? [ANSWERED]

Posted by Jack on October 2, 2019 in copyright for stock photos, exclusive free vector, exclusive licenses for photos, Exclusive Rights, exclusive stock photos, exclusive video, Stock Photo Questions & Answers

Exclusive rights for a stock photo are only necessary for a few situations. Learn about licensing fees, types, how they work, and what your project will need. If you’re hesitant to invest in stock images, it might be because you don’t want to buy the rights to an image, only to see it show up in another business’s ad or marketing materials. Don’t worry – there are many ways you can avoid a situation like this. Many people believe the only way to avoid this is to purchase exclusive rights for a stock photo. And, while some stock photography agencies – like Dreamstime – allow you to do that, it may not be the only option for your project. In this guide, we’re breaking down stock photo licensing types, where to find stock photos under those licensing types, and show you how to tell what kind of image licensing your project will need.

Exclusive rights stock photos

Purchasing exclusive rights for a stock photo means you are claiming an image for your own from that point on. This means that the image may have been used in the past by others, but won’t be able to be used by anyone else in the future. No one else can ever use it, for any project, and you hold the rights to it forever. As you can imagine, these rights come at a higher cost. While purchasing exclusive rights for a stock photo can be pricey, it’s – in many cases – much less of a time and financial commitment than hiring a professional photographer, models and finding the right location for a photoshoot to get the images you want for your business. It’s important to note that, while buying exclusive rights for a stock photo gets you ownership of that image, it often does not include copyright. That remains with the original photographer of the work.

Related: Do I Buy Copyright of a Stock Photo?

Exclusive rights might be the right choice for you if you are selecting an image to use in prominent branding materials, like your logo, or if there is a very memorable image you only want to be associated with your brand.

Best for: Situations where you want the exclusive rights for a stock photo forever and want to be the only one to ever use it, without the chance that a competitor will, too.

Where can I buy exclusive rights for a stock photo?

Not all stock photography agencies offer exclusive rights for a stock photo as an option, so here are three stock agencies that can help you get what you’re looking for:

Shutterstock – Custom Pricing for Exclusive Rights Images

Also well-known in the stock photography industry is Shutterstock. If you want to purchase exclusive rights for a stock photo through their platform, Shutterstock will work with you and the original image creator to work out a pricing agreement. You’ll have to contact them directly to use their content exclusively. Check out our full review of Shutterstock, and take advantage of our exclusive, limited-time coupon code.

Dreamstime – Exclusive Stock Images On Demand

Dreamstime

’s exclusive SR-EL license permits you total ownership of any images you purchase under it. They even commit to removing those images from their stock library within 72 hours of purchase to help protect your exclusive rights. Dreamstime is also the only agency that permits you to trademark images purchased, which makes it an ideal source for brands or businesses developing new or revamped logos. Check out our full review of Dreamstime before you purchase, and get 30 percent off all packages with this exclusive signup for Stock Photo Secrets readers.

Getty Images – Huge Library From a World-Renown Source

Getty Images is arguably the most recognized stock photo agency in the world. Well-known for its wide library of subjects and decades in the stock photography industry, Getty Images does permit the purchase of exclusive rights for a stock photo. To buy, you’ll need to contact Getty Images directly for more information. Don’t forget to check out our in-depth review of Getty Images and get your hands on this limited-time discount code. If exclusive rights are more than you need, a rights-managed license might be what you’re looking for.

Rights-managed stock photos

Rights-managed is one of the most common image licensing types for commercial use stock photos. Stock images under this license agreement are typically priced on a per-use basis, so for each project you use the image for, you pay a fee. For example, you can pay to be the only one to use an image in a brochure for a certain amount of time. If you also want to be the only brand or business to use that image on a billboard, you’d have to pay again for that right. Rights-managed stock photography is available for larger-scale companies who want exclusive rights for a stock photo to use in a certain way and for a limited amount of time. While this can add up and become pricer than the more common royalty-free stock photography license, it also allows you exclusive rights to that image as long as your rights-managed license agreement is good for. This license type is typically less expensive than purchasing exclusive rights for a stock photo while maintaining many similar benefits. For example, let’s say you are working on a website for a Mexican restaurant chain. If you don’t want to compete for Mexican restaurant chains to start using the same image on their websites, a rights-managed stock photography license can prevent that.

Best for High-profile companies that don’t want competing brands to use the same image they are in a specific marketing campaign, but don’t need the usage rights to it forever.

Where can I buy rights-managed stock photos?

Many stock photo agencies offer rights-managed licenses for images, but because it’s such a large investment, we have just one recommendation for you:

Getty Images – Rights-Managed Images of Striking Quality

Highly-renowned in the stock photography industry, Getty Images is the best source for rights-managed licenses for your commercial projects. Their collection boasts millions of images from award-winning photographers from around the world. For high-quality, commercial-use photos under a rights-managed license, there’s no better source than Getty Images. Begin searching for rights-managed stock images from Getty Images now! Read our complete review of Getty Images for more information on this exclusive stock photography agency. While they are less expensive than exclusive usage rights for a stock photo, rights-managed images are still pricey. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, royalty-free stock photos may be right for you.

Royalty-free stock photos

Royalty-free is the other most common type of stock photography license for commercial projects. These are much more affordable than the two above options because they are not for exclusive use.

WARNING: Royalty-free images are not exclusive, so hundreds – if not thousands – of businesses and individuals have them at their disposal. For exclusive images, purchase from stock photo agencies that offer exclusive or rights-managed usage rights.

Royalty-free stock photos – often misunderstood for being “free to use” images – are stock photos you pay once to use, and once you’ve paid the one-time fee, you have the right to use it as many times as you like in a number of projects with very few limitations. For example, if you are a local coffee roaster, you likely want a bank of stock photos you can use for multiple projects that won’t cost you every time you use them. Once you purchase and download your image, you can use it on business cards, posters, websites, social media posts, and ads – whatever you need to promote your business. Worried about using an image, only to see it show up in a competitor’s marketing, too? Don’t worry – there are millions of stock photos available under royalty-free licenses, and you can find some truly unique ones out there. It is highly unlikely that a competitor will use the same image in their marketing materials, too. Just in case – you can check out the most downloaded images in 2018 for anti-inspiration.

Best for: Small brands or businesses with smaller budgets for stock photography who want to make the most out of each image purchased.

Where can I buy royalty-free stock photos?

There are dozens of stock agencies that offer royalty-free stock photos at a great price point. Here are our top recommendations for royalty-free licensed images:

Stock Photo Secrets – Quality Stock Images for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

The Stock Photo Secrets Shop was specially crafted with small and mid-sized businesses in mind. With images available at prices as low as $0.16 each, this stock photography agency is ideal for those looking to get the most from their money. Their library of over 5 million – and counting – fantastic royalty-free stock photos is only a click away. Check out our detailed review of the Stock Photo Secrets Shop and current deals here.

Shutterstock – Large Library from a Reputable Source

Shutterstock

has one of the largest libraries of royalty-free stock photos on the web. With 220 million images to choose from and counting, there’s a picture for every industry to be found through Shutterstock. You can choose between image packs or subscription services to find royalty-free stock photos that meet your needs. Want to learn more? Check out our in-depth review of Shutterstock, and if you choose to purchase, take advantage of this exclusive discount code – available for a limited time!

iStock – Microstock Agency with Big Offerings

A microstock agency from Getty Images, iStock sells royalty-free stock photos through credit packs and subscriptions. The more credits you purchase at once, the cheaper each image will cost. This curated site is very budget-friendly, whether you need just one image or 100. Read our full review of iStock to learn even more before you buy, and if it’s the right platform for you, check out this exclusive 15 per cent off discount code.

Adobe Stock – Great for Creatives and Designers

Adobe Stock is a graphic designer’s best friend. Conveniently set up within Adobe’s Creative Cloud, you can access stock photos by global creatives under a royalty-free license. You have the ability to test images before purchasing them, which makes them ideal for designers and business owners creating their own marketing materials. Read our full review for more information and get 10 FREE images from Adobe Stock with this step-by-step guide.

Photocase – Unique and Candid Stock Photos

Photocase, based in Berlin, has ultra-strict policies for its creators, which means its small stock photo collection is of the highest quality. This is the best platform for unique imagery because it isn’t as well known as some of the larger libraries out there. Prices for these images range from $14 to $42, depending on how large of a file size you need your photos to be. Check out our full review for more information and snag an incredible 10 percent off, plus 5 FREE credits for customers!

Free stock photos

Free stock photos have the widest range of license differences. Just because an image is free doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want with it, so be sure to check the image licensing fee agreements from each free stock photo site before using them in commercial projects.

Related: Can I Download Images from Google for My Work?

Additionally, free stock photos come in all different sizes – so some may work for print projects, but others may not. Double-check the resolution before ordering expensive marketing materials!

Where can I find free stock photos?

There are many sources for free stock photos – luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of the 27+ best free stock imagery sites for 2019 to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Enjoy the hunt!

So, do you need exclusive rights for a stock photo?

Exclusive rights for a stock photo are only necessary if you want to own an image forever, and never have anyone else use it for projects – commercial or otherwise. It’s usually only necessary for large-scale companies with big marketing budgets and high national or global visibility, and the best place to source these kinds of photos is Getty Images. If you are concerned about competitors using the same image as you but have a smaller marketing budget you can go with rights-managed or royalty-free licensed images as a more affordable option.

Related: Can I Use a Licensed Stock Photo for a Client?

If you have little to no budget for stock photography, you can try free stock photos – but be warned, they are very common, have vastly different image resolutions, and you need to check image licensing agreements before making changes or using them in prominent marketing materials – like your logo.

iStock Discount Promo Code

Posted by Jack on September 23, 2019 in Featured, iStock, istock coupon code, iStock Promo Code, iStockphoto, Promotion Code, Stock Photo Special Offers & Coupons

15% OFF – Save BIG with our exclusive iStockphoto promo code

Stock Photo Secrets and iStock bring you an awesome iStock discount in stock photos: with our exclusive iStock Promo Code which gives you 15% off EVERYTHING, credits, and subscriptions! That's right: all new and existing customers can buy their choice of credit packs with 15% discount and subscriptions at iStock with a 15% discount! Buy an iStock subscription and get the best per-image rates, or buy an iStock credit pack and buy photos on demand – remember iStock Credits never expire, so you can invest now in credits at a cut-price, and reap the savings in the long run! This is a limited time offer, valid only until October 31st, 2019. So make sure to use it now.

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iStock

iStock promotion had also announced their new iStock subscription program, which will replace the Thinkstock subscriptions in the future. That's why they do not have any new Thinkstock coupon codes anymore. Also keep in mind that Getty Images is their mother company and iStock is a whole-owned subsidiary for royalty-free stock images and videos. We do have our own Getty Images Coupon Code which gives you rebates on their images. If you still after iStockphoto credits then just use the 15% discount code for old and new customers. You can use these promotional codes also for their Signature collection and of course also for their monthly subscriptions. Is it worth the deal? Most definitely yes! Get your iStock promo codes 2019 now!

Screenshots

Choose your credit pack to buy. You will be asked to login or create a free iStock account. You would need to provide Billing & Shipping information to proceed further.

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The iStock promo code will be applied during your next (Payment) stage where you would need to provide your credit card details (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, etc) or use your PayPal account if you prefer to do so.

Congratulations – you have just saved 15% on your purchase
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Video Tutorial

Check out our easy to follow video tutorial how you can redeem your code. The discount code is also valid for stock footage, images, vectors and everything you can buy within their collections.

Why go with iStock?

Today, while creating web content, there is a dire need to incorporate stock images and royalty-free images. Graphic designers and content creators are always looking for stock images. iStock is one of those stock photo agencies that has provided iStock images at a great iStock pricing with numerous iStock discounts. iStock is an online royalty-free, international microstock photography provider that is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The firm offers millions of photos, illustrations, clip art, videos and audio tracks to millions of customers all over the globe. This stock photo agency has been around for more than over a decade now. Due to its amazing iStock discount codes, it is the preferred platform for a substantial army of photographers and graphic designers. For in-depth analysis and up-to-date feature list, you can read an updated review of iStock stock photo agency while here we will present just highlights. There are many online repositories and stock photo agencies but iStock remains one of its kind as it comes with many perks and offers such as its iStock promotions and iStock discounts

iStock Pricing – One of its kind!

iStock provides its customers with several options and iStock promotions that allow them to obtain images and graphic designs. Customers who carry out business with iStock get the best value for the money. They are able to download iStock credits and The iStock promo code that they are featuring offers substantial savings on download credits. Similarly, the iStock coupon code adds to the deal! Everyone can benefit from their upgraded price filters to find a better match for their search or budget. The iStock promo code is updated each year with better options. This year’s code was ‘iStock discount code 2019. There are other options for using iStock vouchers i.e. the iStock code iStock offer, which reaped excellent results in the graphics and image markets. iStock promotions are one of the best offers that are available for graphic designers and content creators over the internet.

iStock – Half the iStock prices!

iStock offers a discount so huge that half of the iStock imagery is now at half the price. This means that along with the iStock discounts and iStock vouchers, there is an additional saving for those who buy images from iStock on a regular basis. If you are on a budget and you feel that the iStock prices are still too high for you, then you can use their new sliding price filter. This can help the potential customer to stay on a required budget and still get the best quality iStock images. They also have plenty of iStock photo deals that allow you to find the required creative content which is exclusive to iStock images.

Faster Search with iStock Photos

At iStock, the recent upgrades have made it easier and faster to find the right image. iStock offers to its customers, a new interface that allows better on-time along with better results. iStock’s streamlined grid and rollover help the viewer of the iStock image to focus on the image and most crucial info. iStock offers its customers with an improved search results option, which can give you more of exactly what we are looking for.

Best Content Guaranteed With iStock

iStock promotion includes the provision of best quality images with the greatest and most reliable quality from only the best photographers. For an image to quality as an iStock image, it has to pass the tests of quality, and authenticity – making sure that iStock offers you nothing but the best. iStock offers its clients with the “Editors’ Pick” icons and “Only from iStock” badges that help you get straight to iStock’s very best content.

Premium by iStock

If you are in search of an iStock credit pack that will allow you to gain access to cheap, high-quality images for your creative projects? The iStock promo code will let you avail a number of iStock discount purchases and iStock subscription plans. With millions of royalty-free images, illustrations and graphics, iStock offer iStock premium, with visuals at ridiculously great subsidized iStock prices. If you are looking for a website with incredible stock and flexible pricing, you should visit iStock now. Why? Because iStock offers quality at a price that is second to none.

iStock Micropayment

iStock is powered by Getty Images. Getty Images was started in 2000, offering the first micropayment photography website. iStock offers the micropayment option to its clients. Over the years, it has catered to the needs of both buyers and contributors, saving them from legal issues involving copyrights. This is one of the reasons along with iStock prices that the website has become one of the most successful and profitable in the industry.

Flexibility at iStock

iStock offers flexible rates and iStock discounts to its customers. It is available in pay per download iStock credits and iStock subscription plans. You can easily download the images, illustrations, videos, and vectors you need with iStock credits. This is how it works; if you buy more, you will save more. This is great for large scale industries who require images on a regular basis. However, if you want to have additional savings, you can get iStock promo codes and iStock discounts as well. If you cannot pay all at once, you can also pay in installments because iStock is flexible like that!

iStock Subscription Plans

iStock offers subscription plans, which provide you with the best rates for photos, illustrations, and vectors. Unfortunately, videos and music clips are not included in any plan. You have the choice to get the monthly or annual plan for these iStock promotions. All of the images are under Standard License. However, Extended Licenses are not available to the subscription plan. iStock subscription plans are available in Essential and Signature subscriptions. This gives a great iStock discount to customers with reduced iStock pricing. The former includes the website’s most affordable subscription plans. Of course, signature images are not included. You can get 250 images for the price of $199. On the other hand, Signature Subscription gives you access to all images in iStock. Considered as the premium subscription, it offers the more expensive 250 images for $399.

iStock’s Affiliated Websites

Despite the high costs of images, you can still get the images you need for your creative projects at a low price and that too with iStock images. How? Well, there are a number of websites affiliated with iStock that offer iStock promo codes to help you lower your costs, save more money and increase your profits. Be careful with which you get your promo codes from as a lot of pretentious online companies scattered over the Internet. You need to work with a registered website that is affiliated with iStock to avoid any scams.

iStock’s millions of images

With iStock, you need not worry about the options of images that you will have to choose from. iStock photo finder allows you to look for the right image through millions of iStock images. You can explore millions of high-quality iStock images at very low prices. The website has diversified rates that adjust to your download needs and budget. Are you a student, blogger, or businessperson? Whatever your occupation is, you will surely find iStock photo deal that is favorable to your creative needs. Moreover, you can use promo codes to get the images at much-discounted prices. At iStock, they never run out of images for you!

Image Sizes at iStock

DPI is an important measurement when it comes to print, the physical size of an image, in pixels, is what will matter most when choosing images for your website. iStock offers different sizes of iStock images to fit your needs and requirements. Unlike the usual; S, M, L, XL that is offered by most royalty-free image repositories, iStock offers XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL sizes of images to its clients. This sizes that can be offered allow the clients to be able to incorporate wonderful iStock images into their websites as per their size requirements.

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Ultimate Guide to Rules for Using Stock Photos

Posted by Jack on September 22, 2019 in copyright for stock photos, legal rights for stock photos, legal use of stock photos, Rules for Using Stock Photos, Stock Photo Buyers Guide, stock photo licensing, Stock Photo Rules

Buying stock photos for the first time often comes with a lot of questions. Maybe you’re not quite sure how to use stock photos legally and ethically, or you want to advise your team, students or colleagues how to use stock photos correctly. If you’re struggling to understand the legal rules for using stock photos for your project or are overwhelmed with information about the legal and ethical implications of using stock images – this guide has got you covered. Just want to know what royalty-free means? Then jump right here. Sourcing visual content, with the help of the internet, should be super-easy with just the click of a button. You can easily access and download millions of photos and videos on Google. But just like many things in life, rules have been put in place to control the procurement of content. Copyright infringement is a serious matter that can cost a fortune and can bring havoc to your business, or worse, your reputation. When it comes to using photos online, it’s necessary to use copyright-free images and be fully aware of any attribution requirements. So in this guide, Stock Photo Secrets have put together all the information you should know about copyright and stock photo licenses. We’ll also discuss the rules for using stock photos, how to protect yourself, how and when to credit, and some tips on using stock images — so read on!

The need for high-quality images

If you haven't noticed it yet, we are living in an increasingly visual world. Whether online or offline, high-quality photos and illustrations are in high demand. This is especially true in online and print marketing where high-quality photos are a necessary part of an effective marketing campaign. Businesses of today require visual content on their websites, email campaigns, blogs, and social media profiles. The ’42 Visual Content Marketing Statistics You Should Know in 2017′, an article published by HubSpot, has some interesting statistics you should know:

After 3 days, people will most likely only retain 10% of the information they hear. However, when information is paired with an image, people can retain up to 65%.
With text and illustrations, people do 323% better compared to following directions without illustrations.
An increase of 2.3x more engagement is observed on Facebook posts with images.
On Twitter, tweets with images are likely to receive 150% more retweets.

Why use stock photos?

If you are managing a business, a blog or you’re a graphic designer, design student or social media influencer, you can greatly benefit from using stock photos. Also, for website builders and mobile apps developers, the availability and wide selection of stock photos can significantly help enhance your project. There is an abundance of high-quality stock photos that you can use to create stunning content for your marketing campaigns, engaging landing pages, or even for your eCommerce site. Stock photography, in general, is an archive of ready-made photos which can be licensed commercially. Getting online images from a stock photo agency is one of the best ways to legally use photos for your project. In stock photography, there are usually two participants involved: the consumer and the photographer. You (the consumer) do the browsing and downloading of the images, while the photographer (image creator) submits and gets paid a percentage once their photos get licensed and downloaded. Stock photo agencies usually operate on a subscription or credit-based system.

Will using stock photos hurt my brand image?

Using stock photos won't hurt your brand's image providing that it works for you. When using stock photos, it is important to note that the image should match your content and be relevant to your business, or appeals to your target audience.

Also Keep in mind that whether you use free or paid royalty-free stock photos, it’s essential that you check its legality. Check usage clauses, image permissions, and modification criteria. You should also see if there's a need for credit attribution. (More on these below.

Legal implications

Whenever you use anything that you didn’t create, you should carefully check to see if you are violating any copyright law or other legal rights. When using or buying a stock photo, it’s crucial to thoroughly read and understand all of the licensing terms and agreements. Understanding image copyright, stock photo licensing terms, and its usage rules are necessary for you or your client to avoid costly legal battles. Although the copyright law and license agreements are somewhat complex, recognising the basic elements and terms will significantly help you make better choices. A consequence of carelessly using unauthorised images can result in you being taken to court for copyright infringement. Illegal use cases usually result in you paying huge amounts of money in damages. A perfect example of this is Gigi Hadid being sued by a photo agency for posting a photo of herself taken by a photographer during a photoshoot. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court before Hadid eventually won the case under the fair-use clause (see below). Another possible ramification is that the image owner or creator might send you a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) take-down request, invoice you, demand payment and/or attribution. If you fail to honour their request, a Cease and Desist order will follow which could result in a lawsuit. This shouldn’t be taken lightly. Especially now that, with the help of online tools, photographers or image creators can easily track down offenders. And regardless of your intention, unauthorised use of images — used online or offline — is considered image theft. Instances like these can be both embarrassing and financially damaging. It can also be detrimental to your brand's reputation. That's why it is best to know the licensing rules and choose either royalty-free images or seek permission first from the image creator.

Why you should refrain from using images from Google

It's not safe for you to just use images found on Google. This is because Google doesn’t hold the copyright and only indexes the images under the protection of Fair Use rules. Therefore, Google doesn’t have the authority to permit usage of the images. Only the photographer or image creator can legally grant it.

Understanding Copyright, its Limitations, and Usage Rules

Copyright A legal right that grants the creator of an original work the exclusive rights to control the use, sale, distribution and reproduction is known as copyright. This covers all kinds of creative work and allows the creator to protect their work, and also generate revenue from it.

So when a photo is copyrighted, you will need to get the necessary permission from the creator before you can legally use it. This is the reason why you should be careful when downloading and using images you find online, especially with free image sites like Unsplash, Pexels or Pixabay.
What if there's no copyright sign? One common misconception is that if the image has no copyright notice or sign means that it's in the public domain. You need to remember that even if there is no visible copyright sign, the image may still be under the protection of copyright laws. To be on the safe side, be certain that there is a clear indication that the photo is in the public domain, or that the photo has a Creative Commons license.
Creative Commons Creative Commons is a nonprofit organisation that provides free and easy-to-use copyright licences which gives the public permission to share and use creative works under the creator's condition. These conditions may require you to write source attribution or may put limitations as to what you can do or how you can use the image. You can visit the Creative Commons website to find out more about what they do.

Restrictions and Exceptions to Copyright Law

Copyright laws differ from each country, including its limitations and exceptions. And one primary limitation to copyright is Fair Use.

Fair Use Doctrine

Coming from the US copyright law, the term “Fair Use” means that brief excerpts of copyrighted materials may be quoted verbatim, under certain circumstances, for purposes such as in a parody, new technologies, commentary, criticism, and other transformative uses, without payment or implied permission from the copyright holder (creator). This is particularly relevant when using photos taken of you by a professional photographer, specifically when the intended use is for commercial purposes. It simply means that under Fair Use, you are legally allowed and protected to use someone else's work without the need for you to ask permission or pay the image creator. The problem with Fair Use is that it’s often deemed too general and somewhat vague. You may face a common dilemma in determining if something falls under Fair Use. Moreover, the Supreme Court purposely leaves it open to interpretation, assessing copyright infringement cases on a case-by-case basis. Judges base their decision on determining whether a case falls under Fair Use using five common factors:

The nature of the copyrighted work
The amount and substantiality of the portion used with the copyrighted work
The purpose and character of the use
The effects on the potential market or value of the copyrighted work
If the use was transformative

Key licensing terms and definitions

For you to fully understand the common types of licenses, you should know the key licensing terms for stock images. Below are the common terms and their definitions:

Seat license

Seat license refers to the number of people who have the right to access and use the photo at a given time. In a single-seat license, it allows only one individual to download and use the image. While in a multi-seat license, it allows a specified number of individuals, usually around 3 to 5 persons, to download and use the image.

End-user / End-product

An end-user refers to the entity or last person(s) who the photo is intended to reach. While end-product is where the image will ultimately appear.

Single & multiple application

In a single application, there's only one end-user and one end-product. On the other hand, in a multiple application, there are multiple end-users but only one end-product.

Multi-domain and Multiple clients

In multi-domain, there's only one client, but multiple end-products. Whereas in multiple clients, there are no specified client limits so as long as the respective intentions aren’t in conflict with the other licensing terms.

Editorial use and commercial use

Editorial use license allows the image to be used only to illustrate a point in an article and not for selling. On the contrary, in a commercial use license, the image is used to sell something.

Two Common Types of Licenses Stock Image Agencies Offer

Below are the two most common types of licenses offered by stock image agencies.

1. Royalty-free image license

A royalty-free (RF) license grants you a basic right to use the image over and over again with no additional cost upon purchase (one-time payment). You (or the end-user) may buy the photo size you need and use it as much as you want for permitted uses defined in the licensing agreement. Royalty-free image licenses usually provide one end-user 1-10 seat-licenses. This type of license is cheap but it is non-exclusive. Some stock images websites claim to offer royalty-free images but impose several restrictions in terms of how and what you can do with the image. Thus, it's very important to buy a true royalty-free image or check the license agreement first. Main Features of Royalty-Free Images Having the right to use a stock photo – whether licensed under RF or RM – doesn’t entail the transfer of copyright. The image creator still holds the ownership of the photo. You (the buyer) only have the right to use the photos. Consequently, RF licensed images have specific rights and restrictions that apply to them. Each stock photography agencies have their licensing terms. That's why it's important to read the agreement. Below are its most common features:

Non-transferable – only the buyer has the legal right to use it. You can’t share, gift, or resell it.
Non-exclusive – RF images can be used by as many people who bought the license.
Worldwide – there's no geographic limitation associated with RF photos (unless specified in the license agreement)
Perpetual – there's no time limitation associated with RF photos (unless specified in the license agreement)
Multiple-use – allows multiple uses of the image, be it print, digital, or other methods

Also, there are two different types of RF image license: 1) Editorial RF license – with this license, you can only use the image for editorial purposes. Commercial usage of it is prohibited. 2) Commercial RF license – with this license, you can use the image in any commercial purpose. However, depending on the agency, the reproduction run is usually limited in 500,000 copies. You can buy an Extended RF license to give extra rights for unlimited reproduction, use the image in products for resale, and no multimedia distribution restrictions.

Restrictions to Usage of Royalty-Free Images

The following are the basic restrictions of RF images. It’s important to note these restrictions, especially if you intend to incorporate the image into a website branding or logo. Each agency has the right to add or remove restrictions to the usage of RF images, so you need to make sure to read the terms.

The image (as a whole) can’t be used as part of a trademark or logo.
The image can’t be shared, gifted, or transferred to any third-party
The image should be part of an integral design, reselling or redistributing it is prohibited
The image can’t be used in any defamatory way which could give a negative connotation on the image’ contents (persons, properties)
The image can’t be used in morally questionable uses like pornographic or adult-related content
The persons and properties in the image can’t be used in such a way that it would appear they are directly endorsing a product or service

If you are a graphic designer, you can use RF images in designs that you will sell to clients, providing images are modified and embedded in your design. As mentioned above, you can’t resell RF images as they are.

2. Rights-Managed image license

Rights-Managed (RM) is a type of stock image license where the image price is calculated based on the following:

how often you use the image
the image display size, placement, and geographical areas
the medium and duration of use
how many viewers will potentially see the image

This type of license is exclusive, expensive, expires, and has the most restrictions. RM image licenses only allow one person to purchase the image and has the sole rights to use it. You should be careful to read the license agreement to avoid infringement uses or expired rights. Use case – for whom could this be relevant

Attributions: how and when to credit photo

Typically, attributions are often found on an Editorial use of an image. Regardless of the type of license (Royalty-Free or Rights-Managed), crediting a photo isn’t legally required unless stated otherwise in the license agreement. Including a photo credit is an ethical thing to do and is, therefore, a good practice.

Ethical concerns

Aside from its legal implications, using stock imagery also has some ethical concerns that you need to consider. Using someone else's photo is unethical as its a form of stealing, as is selling copyrighted photos and claiming them as your own.

This is particularly relevant with the abundance of free images available from amateur and pro photographers from sites like Unsplash and Burst. However, these aren’t the only ethical issue worth discussing.

Using stock photos to drive user engagement

Based on the stats that people are more drawn to online posts that have visual content, more and more organizations are using stock photos to drive engagement. The problem with this is that some stock images used are generic and have nothing to do with the story. This is especially true with blogs that make use of dramatic stock photos for click-bait purposes, designed to grab the attention of online users. Choosing the right image can be a time-consuming task, but is worth the effort when you engage with your ideal target audience. Another unethical practice used to drive traffic is creating large online galleries. These galleries usually contain photos that don’t have a narrative. It's usually uploaded for the sole purpose of driving engagement and generating more clicks.

Protecting yourself

We are going to discuss some must-follow rules for using stock images. These will help to protect yourself from any issues associated with stock images. Keep on reading for tips to help ensure that you are using an image legally and ethically.

Although some stock image websites offer RF images for free, it's still wiser and safer to buy RF and RM licensed images.
Make sure to buy or download images only from reputable stock photography agencies like our Stock Photo Secrets Shop, Photocase, Shutterstock, iStock, Adobe Stock and Depositphotos. Check out more Stock Photo Secrets trusted stock agencies list and enjoy special offers for our readers.
Always read and carefully adhere to the license guidelines for image use.
Create proper attributions, especially if you're using the image for editorial use. Depending on your license, attributions aren’t legally required but it’s good practice. If unsure how to make proper attributions, use Creative Commons TASL (Title, Author, Source, License) approach.
If you spot a usage violation, immediately correct it. If the copyright holder requests you to take down an image, do so right away.
You should download the correct image size according to your needs.
Only search and use images that suit your needs or your brand.
Refrain from using outdated and generic images by staying up-to-date with the latest photography trends.
Use authentic stock photos and photos who are not stock photography if you want to get some reaction on social media and on Instagram with your photos

Best practices

And now that we're through discussing everything you must know about the rules for using stock photos, here are some bonus tips in using them. For more, check out our archive on Stock Photography Licensing. These best practices will help you enhance your project and help you avoid using stock photos in the wrong way.

Use high-quality images, avoid using blurry or poorly-photographed images.
Use images that are relevant to your content, fit and speaks your story, or suits your brand.
Modify the image whenever necessary but never overcomplicate the process.
Use stock images that are relatable to your target audience.

Key Takeaways

Carelessly using someone else's work could get you into hot water, both legally and ethically. When using stock images, it is best to understand the ins and out of copyright law. The Fair Use doctrine is somewhat ambiguous, so it's important to be cautious. Download images only from reputable stock photography sites. Know you or your client's need before purchasing a Royalty-Free or Rights-Managed image license as they have different features and restrictions. And lastly, use stock images that are relevant to your content. Choosing the right stock photo is not an easy task, especially when sourcing visual content for client work. Taking extra care to choose from legally and ethically sourced stock agencies before you start your search will save you lots of unnecessary headaches in the long run. We want to hear from you so let’s chat in the comments.

The Complete List of Stock Photo Free Trials (2019)

Posted by Jack on September 17, 2019 in 99club, 99club free trial, Adobe Stock, Adobe Stock Free Trial, arabian, Bigstock, bigstock free trial, depositphotos coupon code, depositphotos free trial, Dreamstime, Free Trial, free trial offer, Free trial subscription, iStock free trial, Photocase, photocase free trial, Shutterstock, Shutterstock free trial, Stock Photo Buyers Guide

In today’s increasingly busy and distracting world, even the most comprehensive content gets scanned for the ‘good bits’. We’re so used to consuming huge amounts of data on a regular basis that finding the time to truly engage is often a luxury, especially when searching for stock photo free trials. That’s where the power of images comes in. A striking stock image can force you to pause and emotionally engage in a way that words can’t. Images have the ability to capture your imagination without having to use a single word. In fact, good imagery is deemed essential to getting your message across. A problem that many businesses face is not having enough high-quality stock photos to use across their various marketing channels. Especially when you consider how expensive it can be to purchase a large number of stock images which affects most small business, graphic designers, website builders, and entrepreneurs. Being able to take advantage of stock photo free trials before committing your budget is a win-win. Take Adobe's 30 days free trial for example, due to its popularity and extensive collection this is one of the top choices for businesses.

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High-quality images that don’t break the bank

Whether you want beautiful images for your blog or need stunning photos and videos for you social media campaigns, finding the right picture is a task in itself. The good news is that high-quality stock images don’t have to break the bank thanks to an abundance of online stock photo agencies. The downside is that you often have to waste a lot of time trying to find that perfect shot. Many graphic designers and business owners know that frustration only too well. While searching for images, the last thing you want to worry about is image copyrights or other restrictions. Avoid getting yourself in hot water by using trusted stock agencies who take care of all the hard work for you. Our goal is to help make your job easier, so we've compiled a list of the top stock photo agencies that offer free trials and are 100% royalty-free, so you don’t have to worry about a lawsuit!

Stock Photo Sites – Free Trials

Check out some of our favourite stock photo free trial sites:

Adobe Stock – The Free Trial Version for anyone

Adobe Stock offers a 30-day free trial, offering 10 free photos throughout the free trial. After the trial, Adobe Stock monthly subscription is set at an affordable price of $29.99 per month, with a standard license that allows unlimited online usage with some restrictions. For an added cost of $80 per image, all restrictions will be lifted allowing you to use the images however you wish. Adobe Stock offers credit packs at the price of one credit for $10, with HD images requiring anywhere between 5 to 50 credits. Adobe Stock is ideal for graphic designers that use Adobe Cloud, but can also be used independently for those who don’t Adobe Cloud. Perfectly integrated with Adobe Photoshop makes it a must for designers. This easy-to-use integration provides designers with access to millions of images without ever having to leave Adobe Photoshop. You can preview watermarked photos and optimise your design before making a final decision on which image works best. Don’t miss out on Adobe Stock’s free trial by using StockPhotoSecrets’ discount code. Find out more about our analyses of Adobe Stock.

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Photocase – Free Trial includes 5 Free Credits

Enjoy 5 FREE credits when you register for Photocase’s free trial using the Stock Photo Secrets voucher code. Every single high-resolution image published on their platform is handpicked by experienced photo editors. Their credit packages which start from 25 Credits up to 4 photos in standard size are very affordable in comparison to other stock photo agencies meaning you won’t have to splash the cash. With an easy-to-use search engine system, you can organize your photos by project names, theme and effortlessly search for your favourite images. Photocase is known for its modern, aesthetically pleasing images which are sure to catch the attention of your readers. Click here to take advantage of Photocase’s 5 free credits and 10% of your first purchase. Read the full report of Photocase review.

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Dreamstime – Explore the 1-Week Free Trial

Using Dreamstime is literally a dream for millions of small businesses, graphic studios, publication houses, and freelancers, offering over 107 million stock photos. You’ll have access to a large collection of professional standard photos with millions of hand-drawn and computerised illustrations. Dreamstime has a one-week free trial plan for new customers and you can enjoy the first 5 high-quality images for FREE with no strings attached.

Stock Photo Sites – Best On A Budget (not free but cheap)

99Club by Stock Photo Secrets – Easy Access for a Small Fee

Considered one of the most budget-friendly stock photo agencies, StockPhotoSecrets is the perfect solution for small and medium-sized businesses. With more than 4 million royalty-free images (and counting!) and plans to suit every budget, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular choice across the globe. Technically there is no free trial, but thanks to the super affordable pricing plans it usually works out significantly cheaper than most of the other options. We help you save money without having to compromise on quality. Download 200 XXL high-quality photos for just $99 from 99 Club, and if you need more than 200 images, vectors or illustrations, you only have to pay $0.99 per XXL download. Sign up to 99 Club and register to download images, vectors, and illustrations today. Click here for reviews on the 99Club.

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Bigstock – Each day 5 royalty-free images / 7 days

With Bigstock, you can download up to 5 royalty-free images or vectors of any size each day for 7 days. Registering for a Bigstock free trial provides access to more than 80 million high-resolution standard license stock images. It’s important to note that you need to enter a valid payment method before you can activate the 7-day trial period. After the 7-day free trial is over, you will only be charged if you wish to continue using their services. This will come at a cost of $79 per month for 5 images per day on a subscription basis. Additional images can be purchased using credit packs from $12, which expire after one full year. Extended licenses for images can be bought for around $50 per image, permitting unlimited commercial use. Try out Bigstock’s free trial and take advantage of their special discount through StockPhotoSecrets where you get an additional 6 credits completely free when you buy any credit package. Read more about this stock photography resource in our BigStock review.

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Stock Photo Sites – Free Images

Shutterstock – Free Images for Creative Users

Shutterstock is a treasure trove of high-resolution stock photos and vector files. One of the leading stock photography sites in the world, Shutterstock has been an innovator when it comes to stock photography pricing. Introducing subscription for royalty-free stock photos was a game-changer and has since been adopted by many other stock agencies. Boasting more than 280 million royalty-free images, it’s safe to say that they have something for everyone. Prepaid packs range from $49 for any 5 images to $229 for 25 images issued with a standard licence which gives you the right to make up to 500,000 copies of any images. While they don’t offer a free trial, you can still take advantage of free stock photos. Another advantage of using Shutterstock is the editorial version you can download to test out how the image will fit in with your design works. Perfect for graphic designers who can try before they buy. Save up to 15% off your Shutterstock subscription deals using StockPhotoSecrets’ coupon code. Find out the full report on Shutterstock.

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iStock – Flexible Plans to Suit Every Budget

iStock has been around for quite a while, almost two decades in fact. Acquired by Getty Images in 2006, iStock gives everyone that registers on their platform one free image, illustration and video footage every week for FREE. Download inspiring stock photos from a wealth of well-curated collections available on a monthly basis. iStock currently has over 30 million high-resolution stock photos, vectors, and illustrations and that includes more than 6 millions exclusive stock images. Gain access to world-class photography by purchasing credits priced from $8 per credit or opt-in for a monthly subscription with prices ranging from $85 per month for any 10 images each month or $339 per month for 750 images each month. Images are released on a default standard licence for personal and commercial use. You can also purchase images on an extended licence when required. Save a whopping 15% off any credit pack by using StockPhotoSecrets’ coupon code. Click here to see our iStock assessment.

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Depositphotos – 5 free Images for your Creative Needs

Considered one of the most established stock photo websites, Depositphotos has over 100 million high-quality stock photos, vectors and videos to choose from. With a choice between subscription or credit packs, there’s something for every budget. With a newly introduced flexible plan costing just $29 per month, you can download 30 high-resolution images and vector files every month, and any unused downloads automatically transfer over to the next month. Depositphotos also has a whole selection of files to choose from and they are offered to the public free of charge. Exclusive to StockPhoto Secrets’ readers, Depositphotos offers up to 5 free image downloads in any size when you register using StockPhotosecrets unique code. Simply register with Depositphotos to access more than 100 million high-resolution images and vectors. If that’s not enough to tempt you, using our exclusive offer you can save 15% off your first purchase at DepositPhotos. With more than 5 million satisfied customers, you won’t be disappointed. Curious about Depositphotos, check out our review.

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Getty Images – World-Class Editorial Images at Special Price

Getty Images is one of the most well-known stock photography agencies across the globe. With one of the biggest stock archives, Getty Images is famous for exclusive, world-class photography highly suited to commercial and editorial use. You can purchase high-quality photos using a licensing model tailored to your specific requirements called a Rights Managed license. Whilst this type of license is much higher than the more common Royalty-Free license, amongst other perks it does allow exclusive usage of the photo. Getty’s pricing is not for everyone and is considerably more expensive side in comparison to other competitors. Getty Images doesn’t offer a free trial however it is worth mentioning due to the extensive portfolio and high-calibre of options available. For creative professionals who work in the editorial world or graphic designers who are working on commercial projects like magazines, ebooks, mobile apps, etc. Getty Images is the perfect choice for your stock photo needs. Sign up to Getty today and save 30% on their Ultrapacks. Check out the Getty reviews.

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Stock Photo Trials to Suit Everyone

Whether you’re a graphic designer or perhaps you’re creating content for your own business, our list of stock photo free trials covers all your options. No matter what type of image you're looking for or what your specific budget is, we’ve included the best stock photo websites designed to suit everyone. If you want to start a photo trial today, click here to begin the popular stock photo adobe trial in seconds or one of the listed agencies above. Which free trials do you plan on testing out? Have you already tried some of them out? Did we miss any of your favourite free trial sites? We want to hear from you so let’s chat in the comments.

Absolute Best Sites to Find Perfect Stock Illustrations

Posted by Jack on September 12, 2019 in Adobe stock illustrations, cheap illustrations, depositphotos stock illustrations, exclusive stock illustrations, free stock illustration, illustration trends, royalty free stock illustration, stock illustration, Stock Illustrations, Stock Illustrations for Websites, Stock Photo Buyers Guide, stock vector illustrations, Stockphotosecrets stock illustrations

It’s cliché, but it’s true – a picture really is worth a thousand words. Adding images to your website, content, social media feeds, and other marketing materials is pretty much the best strategy for making yourself stand out. We encourage you to read our article that explains what stock photo agencies are and when to use them. There are only two problems with using stock visuals. The first is that everyone is doing the exact same design thing, which makes it hard to establish some individuality. The second is that stock photography doesn’t always meet your standards when it comes to making a visual impact – you’re after stunning colours, patterns, and textures. Sometimes, you need something a little different. Like stock illustrations. Stock illustrations can fill a variety of visual content design needs, and they just might be the solution you’re looking for. Here’s what you need to know about using stock illustration art, and where to source the highest quality artistic material. Read on to learn more about finding the perfect stock illustrations and then head over to discover the types of illustrations and high resolution, quality textures we’re talking about on sites like Stock Photo Secrets.

Introduction to Royalty-Free Stock Illustrations and Vectors

You’re likely already quite familiar with stock photography, which can be described as professional-looking photographs of fairly common scenes – such as nature, people, or events. The photographers who take these photographs place them on stock photo sites, where someone like you comes along and browses through a catalogue until the perfect image strikes their eye. Stock illustrations are similar in that you can still browse various sites and purchase the rights to use them in your own materials, but the medium itself is quite different. Stock illustrations are often more interpretive, and they’re a unique way to break through all the visual clutter that’s accumulating online. When everyone is using stock photography to add visual interest to their content, shifting gears and going with illustrations can help you stand out. When browsing stock illustrations, you might notice there are different types of curated artwork. When searching for custom illustrations to use, the word “vector or vectors” is likely to pop up. There are some differences between standard stock illustrations and vector illustrations (aka clip art), with each format containing elements that are beneficial for different types of usages. The word vector is used to describe a style of illustration that is used and downloaded often in graphic design applications, for example, logo creation. Vector graphics are different in that they’re generally smaller, and modifiable. A vector illustration can be stretched, enlarged, broken apart and modified in just about any way imaginable to fit your commercial use needs. In contrast to this are other types of stock illustrations that might be described as high-quality drawings. They’re high resolution but have limitations on how you can use them. For example, you might be able to enlarge a stock illustration to use as a book cover or small poster, however, they might not transfer well to sizes larger than this. They also often come in PNG or JPG format and not in EPS-Vector format after you download them. If you’re looking for less expensive stock illustrations to download that can be easily modified to suit your graphic design and visual needs, then you’ll want to check out the agencies mentioned in “Are There Any Good Places to Download Stock Illustrations for Websites?” If you’re in need of artsy, high end looking stock illustrations that are also visually captivating, head to “Sites Devoted Specifically to Stock Illustrations” to discover where to find the curated illustrations you’re looking for. When you use this unique design style of a visual part in your work, you’ll find that it offers some advantages over the standard stock photo. As mentioned, illustrations can add a unique visual appeal and help elevate your project above the masses of cheesy, cliché stock photography. Still, there are other benefits to consider. Stock illustrations can be a better choice because of they:

Add personality: When your project is visually different from everything else your audience is seeing online, it adds more depth to your personality and helps them feel more connected to your business. The right illustration can convey volumes about the personality of your brand and for your next project.
Versatility: You can spend hours pouring over images trying to find the one that hits the nail on the head for conveying a specific message. Illustrations are different in that they’re more interpretive. This makes it easier to find a great visual that effectively delivers your message.
Search Engine Optimization: You might not have digital marketing on your brain when you download visual graphics, but the images you chose can have an effect on how easily your online audience finds you. Illustrations are typically smaller files and load faster. This enhances your audience’s experience and gets the thumbs up from search engines.
Modifications: It’s frustrating when you find a visual that almost fits your needs, but not quite. Stock photography is difficult, if not impossible, to effectively edit. Illustrations are easier to modify in small ways that make them more aligned to your brand or message. Read our related article on using images to create illustrations and vectors.
Profitability: Your customers are tired of the same old attempts at getting their attention. When you choose unique stock illustrations, you’re capturing their attention with something fresh that they haven’t seen countless times before. This attracts more customers and can ultimately prove to be a more profitable strategy for your business.

Are There Any Good Agencies to Download them for Websites?

So, here’s the golden question. Are there any good stock art sites where you can source the high-quality illustrations you’re looking for? There are actually plenty of sources in 2019 and 2020 but much like with stock photography, you have to be choosy or you’re going to end up with something on the lower end of the quality scale. One of the first places worth looking is the stock photography sites you’ve already been counting on for engaging photos. For instance at iStock and more of the best websites to start searching.

iStock – Quality and Affordable Stock Illustrations

If you’re overwhelmed trying to decide where to start your search for amazing stock illustrations, there’s no better starting line than iStock. More stock image sites have been making this leap, just check out this article about iStockphoto’s new additions of video and illustrations to their Signature Collection. Learn more about iStockphoto’s Signature Collection and their pricing structure by reading our update on their collection here. There are other stock photo sites that feature illustrations as well – here are a few of the best. iStock is a well-respected name in the world of stock imagery, and all the reasons they hold this title carry over into their stock illustrations collection. iStock is committed to working with professional quality artists, offering a catalogue of only the best illustrations, and making it all affordable with a range of pricing options. They make it easy to find vectors and clipart images by adding a scroll down filter option to their search bar. Discover more about iStock, and their beautiful stock graphics, but reading the full iStock review here and go directly to their curated collection here!

Adobe Stock – Trusted Resource in Quality Stock Art

Adobe Stock is a name that’s synonymous with high-quality visuals and stock photos. You can trust that they don’t drop the ball when it comes to offering a catalogue of stock illustrations that are high quality, professional, unique, and attractive to your market’s eye. Adobe Stock offers an impressive collection of illustrations that are visually attractive without being “in your face” intrusive. Adobe Stock doesn’t have a vector or illustration filter but it is easy enough to find what you need by typing what you’re looking for – such as “vector illustrations” – into the search bar. Check out the full Adobe Stock review to learn more about this site and their high quality, professional photo illustrations. Example Illustrations – Digital and hand-drawn illustrations from their most expressive artists can be found here!

Stock Photo Secrets Shop – Beautiful, Royalty-Free Illustrations

Stock Photo Secrets Shop is our own trusted resource for quality stock photography. Stock Photo Secrets is a great site for finding quality vector images and illustrations, that fit within your budget. They have over 2,280,086 vector illustrations and other stock photos in their stock right now. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality because you can’t afford the fees associated with other major sites. Stock Photo Secrets is the resource that meets the needs of any size business. Plus, Stock Photo Secrets Shop makes it super easy to find the stock illustrations you’re looking for with a menu option at the top of their site and a filter option in the search bar by picking VECTORS there. What makes this site perfect for a business looking for top-notch graphic design and illustrations with modern colour palettes? Read the full Stock Photo Secrets Shop review to learn more.

Offset by Shutterstock

Men hiking along idyllic, tranquil sunset mountain and forest landscape

Malte Mueller / fStop / Offset

Shutterstock has a platform called Offset that features stock vector illustrations, along with incredibly unique stock photography. Sites like these are ideal for businesses that have a wide range of visual content needs. It’s also great for browsing and selecting images that help build your brand image, rather just sit dully on the screen. Take a few minutes and head over to Offset to do exploration and see their image graphics for yourself. If you take a look at your favourite stock photo site, there’s a good chance you’ll find they have a vector category hidden in there somewhere. Some of your favourite sites make it easy to separate and find vector images in their libraries. The best place to look is the search bar function, usually located at the top of the page. Many sites offer a drop-down menu, or filter option, that allows you to single out vector images in your search.

Stock Agencies Devoted Specifically to Stock Illustrations

In some cases, you might find the catalogue of illustrations on mixed media stock art sites to be a little limiting. You might have better luck finding the exact type of professional illustrations you’re looking for by browsing one of several sites that specializes in stock vector illustration. These libraries don't offer stock photos but just illustrations. When browsing these sites, keep in mind that it’s useful to use the vector search option if one’s available. Although not all stock illustration sites include a vector filter, many do and it can be usually be found near the search bar. Just click on the options menu and select “vector” to filter the images. Here are 5 of our favourite stock illustration sites.

IKON Images

Credit: Alice Mollon / Ikon Images

IKON Images offers an impressive selection of unique images that are ideal for helping you cultivate a modern, relevant brand. Even the standard “still life” illustration on this site has a depth of realism and quality of artistic design that makes it stand out in a crowd. The IKON platform is nicely designed to make it easy for you to browse their various themes and concepts – all of which are aligned with what the modern business is often looking for. If you’re looking for something fresh and unique that jumps off the screen, IKON Images is your go-to site for stock illustrations. The IKON collection of curated illustrations is beautiful but expect to dig a little if you’re looking specifically for vector illustrations. Also note that the illustrations from IKON are exclusively Rights Managed (RM), meaning that a license is sold for a specific use, and the fee for that license is adjusted accordingly. Featured stock illustration examples from Ikon Images all Copyright by Ikon Images:

The i Spot

The i Spot is an exclusive illustration site that serves as one of the most comprehensive stock illustration resources available today. They’ve been building their collection since 1996, with a commitment to supporting talented artists and providing their customer base with only top tier illustrations. The licensing for illustrations on The i Spot are Rights-Managed (RM), however, the staff at The i Spot is available to help with, and process, requests for extended licenses for special uses. Currently, you’ll find more than 37,000 illustrations from top artists around the world on this site. Their platform is also very user-friendly, making it a worthy first stop on your list. The iSpot doesn’t offer up a specific vector search on their site, but simply adding the word vector to the search bar when looking for images is enough to produce the results you’re looking for.

Laughing Stock

Laughing Stock is where you’re going to find all the visual inspiration you need for elevate your content to the top tier. This site offers original stock illustrations, along with stock animations, that all pack an incredible visual punch. Think bold lines and stand-out graphics. The quality of illustrations on Laughing Stock is inspiring, and if you happen to find an artist that you love, they make it easy to follow along with their portfolio. On Laughing Stock, you can even hire an illustration if you have special visual content needs. The Laughing Stock library is also Rights-Managed, meaning that you tell them when and how you plan on using the image and pay a licensing fee for that usage only.

Illustration Source

Illustration Source touts themselves as being one of the largest and most established platforms in the stock illustration industry. Take a look through their collections, and you’ll understand immediately that they’re not just tooting their own horn. They’re committed to working only with the top illustrators and offering their collections to a worldwide audience. Illustration Source also offers to put you in contact with their artists for special custom assignments. There are many ways to filter your search on Illustration Source, however, filtering by vector images isn’t one of them. If you can’t find what you need, Illustration Source will help create it for you. The images on the Illustration Source are also under a Rights Managed license. It’s also important to note that in Illustration Source’s terms and conditions, they disallow the use of images from their site to be used in connection with certain sensitive subject unless prior authorization is granted.

CSA Images

CSA Images is the largest, wholly-owned collection library of stock illustrations in the entire world. Their catalogue contains more than 100,000 images and offers practically endless potential for finding the stock illustrations to make your brand stand out. The illustrations that you’ll find on CSA Images are top tier, museum quality. If you’re interested in vector images on this site, just type it into the search bar to produce results. CSA Images also has an exclusive arrangement with Getty Images. This means if you’re already a fan of Getty Images, you’re going to also find a selection of CSA Images on the Getty site. CSA images offer both standard licensing and extended licensing on request.

Uses for Stock Illustrations

In the broadest sense, stock illustrations can be used at any time you have a need for visual projects. That said, there are times when quality stock illustrations are going to perform better than others. For instance, you see a lot of stock photography attached to blogs and marketing material where evoking realism and emotion is key. You might get an emotional response with stock illustrations, but the realism factor is missing. One thing to remember is there’s more fluidity to illustrations. They’re interpretive and can often be used in a range of applications. Their job is to communicate a theme and fire up the imagination, rather than helping someone feel more connected to your customers on an emotional level. The right stock illustration can also be insanely memorable and work toward building an image for your brand – so choose wisely. To give you a better idea of when to push the stock images aside in favour of illustrations, here are a few situations that call for high-quality stock artwork.

Photography is impractical. There are occasions when the visual imagery you’d like to use is impossible to acquire. If you’re struggling to find a theme that goes along with your project or marketing material, illustrations offer more creative freedom and fill in the gaps that photography can leave behind.
You have a story to tell. We’re not talking about an actual storybook type of story here (although that applies as well) but rather something more like a brand narrative. It can easier, and more effective, to find illustrations that play along with your storyline.
You have infographics on your mind. Infographics are insanely popular nuggets of visual content – and they seldom work with photographic images. Illustrations and other types of digital stock artwork fill this need beautifully.

These are a few of the reasons why you should take advantage of the great catalogues of quality stock illustrations out there, but you might still be wondering about the “when”. When is it appropriate to use this type of stock work in your materials, and when will it provide the greatest benefit from a business standpoint? The use of stock illustrations is appropriate in a range of uses, across practically all industries. For example, an owner of a small, local café might tap into stock illustrations to help form their brand image, by including engaging, themed curated illustrations on their promotional material, business cards, menu board, or even the cup their customers sip their delicious drinks from. Stock illustrations sites are also a great resource for marketers, especially those who work in digital marketing, where it can be challenging to cultivate an image and attract target audiences using standard stock photography that all seems to fit into the same mould. Those who work more exclusively in an artistic capacity can also benefit from the selections of stock illustration sites. Graphic designers, who are always looking for a refreshing visual perspective for their clients, can tap into the illustrations and vector images that fill the libraries of the sites mentioned above. Stock illustration collection provides you access to an incredible range of visual material created by many different talented artists.

Stock illustrations can work perfectly for a variety of projects, including:

Posters
Flyers
Magazines
Teaching materials
Books/brochures
Animated presentations
Short videos
Social media posts
Infographics

Should You Ever Avoid Using Stock Illustrations?

There is, of course, the question of whether it’s ever just a straight-up bad idea to use stock illustrations. Of course, the answer to this is yes – just like there are times when you’ll want to avoid other types of stock media in your materials. One area that it’s important to be especially careful with is using stock illustrations in anything that’s associated with your logo or brand identity. The license that you purchased with your use agreement likely didn’t cover using the image as any type of trademarked work. For example, purchasing a graphical illustration to use as the banner of your social media page is one thing. Scaling it down and using it as a trademarked logo is another. Opt for a unique design in anything that you may attach a trademark to at some point. Also, as with all things, quality is always uber-important. You don’t want your illustrations to look like they came courtesy of your 5-year-old nephew. Quality is key with stock illustrations, making it extra important to source visual content only from sites that are committed to providing top quality artwork. If you can’t find a quality illustration that fits your needs, it’s best to reconsider your approach rather than take chances with an inferior visual. Sometimes customers are also asking to get good icons which we can recommend Icontail for.

A Few Final Words About Stock Illustrations

When choosing stock illustrations, it’s important to remember that there’s an artist behind the work, and each time you pay for their art, you’re supporting their talent. It’s entirely possible that you won’t find exactly what you’re looking for on any stock illustration site. We invite you to read our advice on how to choose the best visuals for your marketing and content needs, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for then custom illustrations are always worthy of consideration. If you’d like to know more about the ins and out of stock images, Stock Photo Secrets is happy to help by offering the advice you need. We encourage you to check out the high-quality stock illustration sites listed here and to enjoy exploring the potential these fantastic artists can provide for your business.