Stock photography is an important part of the professional photographer’s world. With all the new technology that is developing at a mind boggling speed, there is a greater demand than every before. Digital photography has escalated in the past couple of years, bringing on a whole new trend of stock photography. But, what is stock photography?
Stock photography is first and foremost, actual photographs. However, they are photographs taken with no immediate client or purpose in mind. Perhaps the scenery captured the photographer, or the dish at the restaurant spoke volumes about a certain type of food. Photographer’s capture this with their camera, and then catalog these photographs, typically by themes, and offer them to everyone. A person, searching for a photograph, comes across the catalog of pictures. They might find one they really like and want to use for something. The then pay the photographer for the use of this photograph. Some photographers do stipulate how many times a photograph can be used, but others give whoever wants it the change to pay for it and use it.
What typically can you find pictures of in stock photography?
The most often seen photographs are usually of, Common landmarks, Photos of events, Objects that have more than one use – for instance a photograph of an American Flag has several connections and could be used by several different people, Photos of beautifully prepared dishes of food or even staged photographs of children.
Who buys these photographs?
Once upon a time it was limited mostly to professionals, but now even you and I might find a use for a stock photograph and buy it to use. The prices range greatly. Some photographers choose to sell their pictures for a couple of dollars and still others are looking for hundreds per image.
What are these photographs typically used for?
- Book publishers purchase photographs for inside their books or for the cover.
- Magazines purchase photographs to accompany their articles
- Advertising agencies use photographs in their ads
- Web designers use them on their webpages and templates
- Graphic artists use them on everything they are making
- Interior decor firms use them for decorating offices, homes and other locations
- You and I might use them for web pages, articles, craft projects, scrapbooking and more.