Why should I pay for stock photography?
by Lauren Burton
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Free stock photo sites have taken the Internet by storm. And we can all agree that they are, indeed, a major convenience. But free stock photos can just as easily become a major inconvenience and get you into trouble if you don’t know what you’re doing. Especially when it comes to talent rights, property rights, Trademark & Copyright. We’ve listed several reasons why it’s worth paying for stock photography from platforms like Picky.
Quality Control:
Paid stock photography typically undergoes rigorous quality control checks to ensure that it meets the standards of the provider. This offers a level of assurance that the images will be of high quality & appropriate resolution. In contrast, free stock photography, which is typically uploaded directly to the site without the same level of scrutiny. Here at Picky, each image is peer reviewed by our team, before any new image is uploaded.
The Legal Bits:
Paid stock photography comes with a license that grants you the right to use the images in specific ways. It also provides legal protection in the event of any disputes or legal challenges. In contrast, free stock photography may not come with a license, and may not provide the same level of legal protection. Often these sites do not validate that the photographer has the necessary releases to be deemed the owner of the image, and therefore legally able to distribute.
Image credit: Nancy Wang x Picky Bespoke.
Support the Creators:
By paying for stock photography, you are supporting the photographers and creators of the imagery. Stock photography is a form of intellectual property, and the photographers and other creators who produce it deserve to be fairly compensated for their work. By paying for stock photography, you can help to ensure that these individuals are able to continue creating high-quality images, and can also support the broader creative community.
Heck, we believe in this so much that we even have a “Koha for Comp” license. A $15 “donation” for the use of a higher quality, less intrusively watermarked image for all comping, presenting, mood boarding, pitching, internal use.
Quality Control:
Paid stock photography typically undergoes rigorous quality control checks to ensure that it meets the standards of the provider. This offers a level of assurance that the images will be of high quality & appropriate resolution. In contrast, free stock photography, which is typically uploaded directly to the site without the same level of scrutiny. Here at Picky, each image is peer reviewed by our team, before any new image is uploaded.
The Legal Bits:
Paid stock photography comes with a license that grants you the right to use the images in specific ways. It also provides legal protection in the event of any disputes or legal challenges. In contrast, free stock photography may not come with a license, and may not provide the same level of legal protection. Often these sites do not validate that the photographer has the necessary releases to be deemed the owner of the image, and therefore legally able to distribute.
Image credit: Nancy Wang x Picky Bespoke.
Support the Creators:
By paying for stock photography, you are supporting the photographers and creators of the imagery. Stock photography is a form of intellectual property, and the photographers and other creators who produce it deserve to be fairly compensated for their work. By paying for stock photography, you can help to ensure that these individuals are able to continue creating high-quality images, and can also support the broader creative community.
Heck, we believe in this so much that we even have a “Koha for Comp” license. A $15 “donation” for the use of a higher quality, less intrusively watermarked image for all comping, presenting, mood boarding, pitching, internal use.