While the majority of us are still in awe at the capabilities of the regular camera phone, we as marketers know that a picture can say a 1000 words. So, if you’re looking to communicate with potential customers via social media, you can’t go wrong with a picture.

The Appeal Of Using Stocks

Not all images are created equal and using stock photos certainly has its perks. For starters, you don’t need to worry about copyright infringement. Plus, there are thousands of photos out there that you can buy royalty-free. This significantly reduces your risk of running into legal issues.

Larger Audience

When it comes to reaching a larger audience, nothing beats free. Paid stock photo websites like Shutterstock give you access to millions of royalty-free photos. Simply upload your photo and within seconds, you can see whether or not it’s available for licensing.

For those who love a variety of photos, paid stock photo websites give you access to millions more images than the usual free photo websites. With so much choice, you’re bound to find a picture that will perfectly illustrate your point.

Time-Saving

Another huge advantage of using stock images is how fast you can get them done. With fast turnaround times, you don’t have to limit yourself to just the photos that you find online. You can get the photos you need, when you need them, without having to search high and low for them. Buying stock photos from trusted sources like Redbubble gets rid of the excuse of not having enough time to look for suitable photos on your own.

Creative Commons

Last but definitely not least, we have the creative commons. Creative commons is an intranet that was founded in 2004 with the aim of allowing creators to distribute their work without losing ownership of their creations. As part of their stance to promote free culture, creators can attach creative commons license information to their work. This information indicates the copyright status and terms of the work so that others know where they stand when reproducing or distributing the work. You can find a quick and simple guide to understanding cc by clicking here.

When you’re searching for a Shutterstock user to license their photo for your blog post or social media campaign, for example, you’ll see a small button at the bottom of the image that looks like this:

Hover over the image to see a short description of the license type.

These creative commons images are usually available for download and use with no restrictions. So, if you’re looking for a quick, easy, and affordable way to add a splash of color or a graphic to your next blog post or social media campaign, you can’t go wrong.

Pricing And Terms

Pricing and terms are also pretty standard for stock photo websites. Typically, you’ll find a range of prices from $1 to $25 with a standard license. Some websites, like Pexels, will even give you free stock photos if you host their image on your website. Terms of service are also straightforward and usually include privacy and licensing policies. In general, companies will want to make sure that their images are being used in line with their policies and any permissions that they have given out previously.

Redbubble Vs. Other Websites

When it comes to comparing Redbubble to other stock photo websites, you have to weigh out the pros and cons. On the one hand, Redbubble has an expansive library with a variety of beautiful designs and high-quality images. Also, you don’t need a membership to get access to these images. All you need is a credit card.

On the other hand, the terms and conditions for using photos from Shutterstock are pretty good. You don’t need to have a membership to use their photos, but you do have to pay per image. In general, stock photos from Shutterstock are pretty easy to work with. Just make sure that you have the rights to use the photos legally and that you don’t use any questionable content.

Where Can I Buy Suitable Stock Photos?

Now that you have an idea of the perks of using stock photos, it’s time to figure out where you can buy suitable stock photos. For that, you’ll have to leave the comfort of your computer and find a real world, physical location. Fortunately for you, we’re mobile and can get the job done from anywhere!

The first step is to log onto Google Maps and search for the closest photo album to you. From there, you can browse through the various album options and find a picture that perfectly communicates your message. Alternatively, you can put in the search bar of Google Maps: [place name] photo albums and see a map with all the albums available near you. You can’t get a more convenient way to find a photo you need without having to spend a fortune on photoshoots.

For those who want to find photos for free, they can always check online marketplaces for the best deals. For example, if you’re in Toronto, you can browse through the various deals on Airbnb to find the best rate for a room with a view of the city. In the meantime, while you’re waiting for your booking, you can use their WiFi to upload some of your own photos to social media accounts like Twitter or Instagram for free.