| Stock photography is based on having pictures | | | | the photographer has to do is take pictures of what |
| already in stock: the pictures have already been | | | | the buyer would want. In this case, stock |
| taken, ready for printing and available to the buyer. | | | | photography differs from most types of |
| In contrast, assignment pictures, where the | | | | photography in that the pictures are generic and |
| camera-is-for-hire are still to be taken based on | | | | represent an idea or concept. The pictures tell a |
| requirements. Another thing to remember is that | | | | story or can serve as a background to some text |
| stock photos are owned by the photographer, and | | | | for an ad campaign, for instance. |
| the right to use is sold to the buyer. Whereas | | | | On the internet there are now lots of micro stock |
| pictures from an assignment are owned by the | | | | agency websites which handle this kind of business. A |
| buyer. | | | | stock photo agency is a middle man between the |
| In stock photography, since the pictures are owned | | | | photographer and the buyer. The buyer, usually an ad |
| by the photographer, these are submitted to the | | | | agency or a magazine or a design house, buys the |
| stock photo agency in order to sell the rights for use. | | | | rights to the picture for a specific use. |
| In effect the photos are in a shop waiting for a client | | | | There are a lot of stock agencies on the internet and |
| to pass by. If the client sees a picture which fits his | | | | it's only a matter of signing up and uploading the |
| requirements, he buys the rights to use them. | | | | pictures, and to keep submitting more pictures. |
| The concept seems simple enough. The only thing | | | | |