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Do i buy a copyright of a stock photo or how does that work?

By Amos Struck

Amos Struck Industry Expert and Founder

Amos Struck, a renowned expert with over two decades in the stock photography industry, is known for his profound expertise in both stock imagery and artificial intelligence (AI). He is the founder of StockPhotoSecrets.com and a driving force behind the innovative AI-driven platform, Stockphotos.com. His pioneering work in visual AI is marked by co-founding Ximilar AI. Amos also established the Microstock Expo Conference, a key event in the stock photography sector. As a regular speaker at major industry conferences like DMLA and a prominent member of CEPIC, he consistently contributes to the industry's growth and evolution through a blend of technological innovation and market insight.

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Updated 26 Jul, 2021

Edited by Ivanna Attié

Ivanna Attié Senior Content Manager, Market Analyst, and Lead Author

I am Content Manager, Researcher, and Author in StockPhotoSecrets.com and Stock Photo Press and its many stock media-oriented publications. I am a passionate communicator with a love for visual imagery and an inexhaustible thirst for knowledge. Lucky enough to enter the wonderful world of stock photography working side-by-side with experienced experts, I am happy to share my research, insights, and advice about image licensing, stock photography offers, and the stock media industry with everyone in the creative community. My background is in Communication and Journalism, and I also love literature and performing arts.

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Reviewed by Amos Struck

Amos Struck Industry Expert and Founder

Amos Struck, a renowned expert with over two decades in the stock photography industry, is known for his profound expertise in both stock imagery and artificial intelligence (AI). He is the founder of StockPhotoSecrets.com and a driving force behind the innovative AI-driven platform, Stockphotos.com. His pioneering work in visual AI is marked by co-founding Ximilar AI. Amos also established the Microstock Expo Conference, a key event in the stock photography sector. As a regular speaker at major industry conferences like DMLA and a prominent member of CEPIC, he consistently contributes to the industry's growth and evolution through a blend of technological innovation and market insight.

Learn more

Stock photography agencies are a great way to get quality images fast and cheap, but there are some basic licensing matters that you need to understand, to ensure you use the photos you buy correctly.

If you are a new user of stock photography agencies –and stock photos–, these are the basic lessons to learn.

Royalty free copyrights are included

Royalty-free images are copyrighted, meaning the author of the image retains its ownership. When you buy a license from a stock photo agency, you get Royalty-free copyrights, that enable you as a buyer to use the photo but under certain conditions. These conditions can be viewed here or can be reviewed on each stock photography agency website.

Royalty free does not provide complete Freedom of use

Royalty free does not include using the image on items for resale, the freedom to share with multiple users once a premium stock photo is purchased, or on all editorial pieces. Some digital media uses are outlined, but not all. If you are unsure if you are using a stock photo correctly, get in touch with the stock agency where you purchased the photo and ask.

Google image search does not give you copyrights to a photo

If you use a Google Image search to find photos, be aware that these photos do not transfer any copyrights to you. Google is not a stock photo agency, and you can not purchase the rights of these photos unless

1. You find the photographer and ask for permission or
2. Purchase from the stock photography agency that holds the photo.

A watermarked logo on a photo indicates that the photo can be purchased from a stock photography agency.

For a direct and easy search for copyrighted photos, check out Dreamstime and search their image and photo database of over 11,000,000 photos to find a photo you need.

Image © Norebbo / iStockphoto.com