If you plan on using stock photos, you need to be aware of the issues and restrictions that may be involved. What kind of license did you purchase? What’s a model release? Do you need a property release? Can you use that image in a website template? When you use stock photos, there are several types of licenses you need to be aware of– royalty free, rights managed, and extended licenses. Royalty free is the most common and affordable, rights managed offers exclusivity, and extended provides extra permissible uses.
What are Royalty Free Images?
Royalty free refers to a type of license that gives you permission to use a stock image in certain ways. Royalty free means you are not required to pay a royalty each time you use an image. Generally, royalty free images are images that are available under a non-transferable, non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, multiple-use sub-license. This means the license is valid for the purchaser only. You cannot transfer the royalty free license to anyone else via resale, gifting, etc. If you require exclusive use of any stock image, you must purchase it under different license terms. Perpetual – Perpetual means that you can use the image for as long as you wish.
How to Buy Stock Photos
Most stock images are offered for a price. There are literally thousands of websites through which you can purchase images. As each photo is likely to be copyrighted, you should read carefully the licensing agreements of those that you are interested in so that you invest in a portfolio that is suitable for the purpose you have in mind. There can be restrictions on the way in which you can use certain images, for example this may relate to the type of project that each can be amalgamated into as well as what alterations and editing is allowed. Purchase the stock photo. Photo-rights prices are based on the size/resolution of the photo: the higher the resolution and larger the size, the more expensive the photo. Many stock-photo sites use a credits system, with a small photo worth one credit, or a large photo worth five credits. You purchase the appropriate number of credits using a credit card or PayPal and then cash in those credits to buy a download of the photo. Use the stock photo in your project. Once the stock photo rights are purchased, you are free to crop and edit the photo using photo editing software. You can find details about the factors that affect the cost of stock photos and more information about a royalty free stock photography site at Depositphotos’ official blog