Natural Art Images: About My Stock Photography

I have partnered with myLoupe.com of Chicago IL to offer direct searches and license purchases of my stock images. The stock image collection will be expanding on a continuous basis - if you don't find the image you want now, check back soon! The majority of my stock images currently are, and will continue to be, Rights Managed (or RM) images, but I also offer a smaller selection of Royalty Free (or RF) images. See below for working definitions of RM and RF stock images.

There are three ways to access the stock images from this website:

1. Access via Image Galleries: Many of the images found within this website's image galleries are available as either RM or RF stock images. Just check the "Availability" status immediately below each image - those that are available as stock images will carry the "RM Stock" or "RF Stock" label and link. Selecting this link will provide you with specific details of that particular stock image.
   
   
2. Search the Stock Image Library: My entire stock library may be searched by keyword, image category, or both. Jump right in and Initiate Search Now or learn more before searching on the main Search Images page.
   
   
3. Browse Thumbnails of Stock Image Library: Some prefer to search for stock images via browsing thumbnails of the available images. You can select to browse either ALL the images or popular collections on the main Browse Images page.
   

Stock Photography - Defined

Stock photographs are images of nature, landmarks, events, people, or virtually any other subject that are available - for a nominal fee - for use in commercial design purposes. The photographer or distributor normally retains ownership of the images and the commercial designer has some specific and limited usage of the images. Stock photography is a relatively low cost means by which designers can obtain professional quality photos without the costs and time associated with hiring a photographer directly.

Stock photographs are often classified into two broad categories: Rights Managed (RM) or Royalty Free (RF).

Rights Managed (RM) Stock Images - Defined

The simplest way to think of Rights-Managed images are as "rented" images: the user "rents", through purchase of a license, a specific image for a specific purpose and at a negotiated price. Factors that influence the negotiated price include the nature of the intended use, the duration of the use, geographic distribution of the use, size of reproduction of the image, medium type, and the degree of exclusivity required. Once you negotiate a fee for your specific use, any other use of the image is subject to an additional fee.

Royalty Free (RF) Stock Images - Defined

Royalty-free stock images are normally licensed just once (per user) and normally for a fixed, non-negotiable price. They may be used for multiple projects for an unlimited amount of time. While there are some limits to how the image may be used, the rights granted tend to be very broad. They are licensed on a non-exclusive basis and other licensees are entitled to use the images under the same broad usage rights. Consequently, a user of RF images must be aware that the very same image they have selected to use may be used by others in a manner which conflicts with their intended use.