Stock photography is pre-exisitng imagery that is available for potential users such as publishers, creatives and businesses to use as an alternative to commisioning photography specifically for their needs.

The advantages of stock for the buyer are usually a lower cost and faster availability of images. For photographers stock can provide another source of income from images produced during assignments, downtime or specifically for the stock photography market.

Stock images may be available directly from photographers or more typically through stock photography agencies. As either a contributor or user of stock images it is important to understand industry terminology and usual practices.

• Stock photo licensing basics
• Model and property releases
• Editorial and commercial uses