Buying an image online should be a simple process – you find an image you love, then you buy it. We’ve put a quick guide together to help you find the places that are keeping image buying simple, with no subscriptions…
1. Shop around
It might seem like an obvious one, but if you find a photo that you like on a stock image site but don’t want to subscribe, you don’t have to buy from that site.
On some sites you can buy credits rather than a subscription.Credits can be useful if you know you’re going to buy a few images, but don’t buy them if you’re not certain you’re going to use them. They often have to be used in a certain time frame and you can’t get your money back if you don’t use them.
Even if you can’t find the image you originally liked elsewhere, you’ll be able to find something similar on another stock library or photographer’s website. You can pay for one image and one image only, without being tied in to multiple purchases like you would with credits or a subscription.
2. Go to the photographer’s website
Whether you already have a photographer in mind or are just starting your search, going directly to a photographer’s website can be a great way to buy an image.
There are lots of photographers who sell their collections solely from their website, and those who contribute to stock image libraries often keep some of their images for private sale. Going direct to a photographer can mean you have access to an exclusive collection of images that aren’t as commonly viewed in the public eye.
Buying direct from a photographer will also mean you’re talking to the copyright holder and can ask them any questions you have about licenses or releases.
This route can have its downsides though, so if you’re thinking of buying from a photographer’s site, bear in mind the following:
– Contracts may not be set up, so you may need to speak to your legal team about getting a contract drawn up between you and the photographer
– Exclusivity may mean a premium price, so you might need to negotiate with the photographer before you buy
– Licensing and release information may not be as clearly displayed as it would be on a stock image library, so check with the photographer before you buy
– Filters and search bars may not be as advanced as on a stock image library, so it might take you a bit longer to find the image you want
3. Use a stock image libraryÂ
Just as subscription and credits packages don’t work for all image buyers, they don’t work for all stock image libraries either! Don’t make the assumption that buying stock images means having to commit to a series of purchases – it really doesn’t.
Some stock agencies let you buy on a ‘per image’ basis, but some ask for more information from you than others. Here are your choices:
– Register before you buy
Registrations can be as simple as adding an email address and password, but some can ask for a few more details. It’s up to you if you want to register with a stock image library, but most don’t give you the choice and if you want to buy one of their images, you need to sign up for a free account.
Registering is generally a quick and easy process, so if you don’t mind spending a couple of minutes creating an account before you can buy an image, this is a good option.
– Buy from a stock library that doesn’t require registration
At 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß, we love to learn about our customers, but if you simply want to buy an image and be on your way, you can. We understand that not everyone has time to register their details if they’re in a hurry and that some people just want to buy an image with no strings attached!
You can buy images from 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß without registering for an account, with no subscriptions or credits, and you can pay using your credit card or PayPal! Check out our Offers page before you buy to get an even better deal…
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For more info on image buying have a read of ‘How to buy images and stock photos online‘