Stock Photography Tips: Check Terms and Conditions

by Ryan Truman
(California)

Reader Post: 'I have a small stock photography portfolio and am very proud of my images that have been selected for various stock photography agencies. Recently I received a phone call from a friend informing me that one of my photographs was used in print in a National Photography Magazine. I rushed out to purchase a copy and found to my great disappointment that there was no credit given to the photographer or the agency. In fact, it appeared as if the image was taken by the author of the article.

I contacted the magazine and was advised to always check the Terms and Conditions of stock agencies before submitting photographs to them. Some, like iStockPhoto, do not require that users credit images bought from them, while others do.

This will certainly be a consideration for me in future. I appreciate images being purchased and used, but personally I would prefer to be credited for my work.'