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Stock Photo

A stock photo refers to a professional photograph that is licensed for use and reuse by individuals online. Stock photos are used in web design, graphic design, social media design, etc.

Stock photos are accessible via databases. The ownership and rights of use of stock photos generally lie with photographers or designers. Users can either buy these photos or subscribe to a database to access them.

Not to be confused with

Clip Art

These are pre-made vector or raster graphics used to add simple visual elements to a design.

Stock Photo Characteristics

Here are the main characteristics of a stock photo.

  • Licensed - You need a license to use stock photos. In most cases, you need to pay for or buy a subscription to use them as you want.
  • Commercial - Stock photos are used for commercial purposes, such as advertising, marketing, editorials, etc.
  • Generic - Stock photos have a generic theme, so they can be used across industries for multiple purposes.
  • Quality - Stock photos are high-quality and are clicked in high resolution by professionals.
  • Access - Stock photos are easily accessible via a database and offer convenience.

Stock Photo & Its Benefits in Design

Stock photos are very commonly used in various industries for multiple purposes. Here are some of the benefits of using stock photos.

  • Stock photos save time as they are easily accessible and can be downloaded in minutes.
  • They save the costs of hiring a professional photographer.
  • Stock photo libraries offer a wide variety with millions of options to choose from.
  • By using search functions and filters in databases, you can easily find the image you want.
  • Stock photos look professional as they are high-quality and created in good resolutions.

Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.

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