- published: 10 Jan 2015
- views: 19150
Stock photography is the supply of photographs licensed for specific uses. It is used to fulfill the needs of creative assignments instead of hiring a photographer. Today, stock images can be presented in searchable online databases. They can be purchased and delivered online. Often, they are produced in studios using a wide variety of models posing as professionals, stereotypes, expressing stereotypical emotions and gesticulations or involving pets.
Getty Images, Corbis and Sipa Press are the three largest traditional stock photography agencies in terms of revenue. They offer mostly photographs that have been shot by professional photographers. There are many alternative photo agencies which specialize in certain fields of stock photography, such as Photo Researchers. Stock photography is also available through microstock photography services, through which photographs sell more cheaply but in greater volume.
Whereas Getty and Corbis own the copyright to many of the images they sell, companies like Alamy sell images on behalf of major collections and individual photographers and agencies.