Stocksy United: Quite Possibly the World’s Best Stock Photography Agency

by Hillary Fox on Jul 15, 2014 in Commercial Photography

Back in February of 2013 I received an early invite to Stocksy, the much-talked-about stock photography cooperative launched by iStockPhoto founder Bruce Livingston.

Soon after getting a taste of what Stocksy has to offer, I walked away from my exclusive contract with iStock. It was tough to drop exclusivity after 7 years, but I’m so glad I did.

A New Aesthetic

Stocksy has an aesthetic unmatched by any other agency. The entire photo library is tightly curated for authenticity—you won’t find those typical cheesy stock photos cut-out against a white background here. Only the good stuff.

A New Business Model

The best thing about Stocksy is its treatment of photographers. Gone is the old corporate model with board members obsessed with the bottom line, paying photographers royalties just pennies on the dollar.

Stocksy pays its photographers 50% of each sale, 100% for extended licenses, and a proportional share in profits at the end of the year. Because Stocksy is a co-op, photographers are actually owners, too. I’m proud to be one of them, enjoying growing sales and a strong community.

Best for Designers

To my fellow artists and designers out there, I encourage you to buy your stock images from Stocksy. The quality is the best you’ll find, and you’ll be dealing with an agency that upholds the highest ethical standards in the whole industry. Use coupon code FOX20 for a discount on your first purchase.

An Opportunity for Photographers

To fellow photographers, Stocksy accepts a handful of new contributors each year. If you want to be one of them, apply to become a contributor, and be sure to say hello when you sign up. Best of luck!