About Rights-Managed Stock Photos (RM)
A rights-managed stock photo is a high-quality photograph that is licensed for a specific use. The license fee is calculated according to several factors, including size, placement, press run, duration of use, exclusivity requirements and geographic distribution. Rights-managed images on this site can be identified by the "Rights-Managed" notation located below respective photos.
Why Clients Choose RM Stock Photography
Clients choose RM stock photography for quality and conflict control. Image quality is typically superior to that of royalty-free images, which are traditionally photographer outtakes or images made by amateurs supporting an expensive hobby. Our rights-managed image collection is comprised of photos that have been carefully selected based on our criteria for quality visual content and technical perfection, and although our royalty-free images are better than most, they generally do not meet these strict criteria. Usage conflicts are also reduced or eliminated when using RM photos, because we carefully track all usage and offer various levels of exclusive rights for an additional fee.
Requesting a Price Quote
You can request a price quote by using our stock photography quote form or by contacting us. In order to receive an accurate quote, you will need to provide information specifying your usage requirements. This information will determine both the rights to be granted and your licensing fee.
If you don't know the exact details, please make a rough estimate, being as specific as possible. This will allow us to provide a ballpark estimate. Once you have all of the details required, we can provide a final quote and write your license.
Please Note: Your license agreement will be written according to the information that you provide. Please be sure this information is accurate before a license is issued, because any usage beyond the terms of the license agreement will require additional licensing and fees.
Information Required for a Quote
You will be asked for the following information before we can issue a quote, and in some cases, we might suggest that you provide a layout or mockup showing how the image will be used.
- Usage Type: brochure, print ad, web ad, website design, billboard, etc.
- Image Placement: front cover, back cover, inside cover, gatefold, inside page, etc.
- Relative Size: wrap, double-page, full-page, 3/4-page, 1/2-page, 1/4-page or 1/8-page
- Press Run or Circulation: 10,000 brochures, 20,000 calendars, ad in magazine w/a circulation of 250,000 copies, etc.
- Usage Start Date: start date for image licensing period
- Duration of Use: one time, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, etc. Also see Unlimited Usage below.
- Geographic Distribution: local, regional, country or international
- Layout Dimensions: dimensions of entire layout measured in pixels or inches at a specified dpi
- Image Dimensions: image dimensions measured in pixels or inches at a specified dpi
- Additional Use: web, other electronic, reprints, copyright updates, additional languages, etc.
- Exclusivity: spot, industry, use or total
- Industry Type: required to control usage conflicts - does not influence price
- Image Delivery Deadline: date that you need the image
We recommend using our stock photography quote form, but you can also contact us by phone or email. Please be prepared to provide all of the information that we require. Otherwise, we cannot provide a quote.
About Exclusivity
In addition to standard RM licensing, you can purchase exclusive rights to prevent or limit others from using the same image for the duration of your license period. We offer four levels of exclusivity to meet your needs and your budget:
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Spot Exclusivity - This is the narrowest most inexpensive form of exclusivity, which prohibits re-licensing of the same image for the same use to the same industry during the same timeframe.
Example: You are in the travel industry and license a photo for use on a billboard for a given month. If you purchase spot exclusivity, we cannot re-license the same image to others in the same industry for billboard use during the same timeframe.
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Industry Exclusivity - This form of exclusivity prohibits re-licensing of the same image for any use to the same industry during the same timeframe.
Example: You are in the travel industry and license a photo for use on a billboard for a given month. If you purchase industry exclusivity, we cannot re-license the same image to others in the same industry for any use during the same month.
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Use Exclusivity - This form of exclusivity prohibits re-licensing of the same image for the same use across all industries during the same timeframe.
Example: You are in the travel industry and license a photo for use on a billboard for a given month. If you purchase use exclusivity, we cannot re-license the same image across all industries for the same use (billboards) during the same month.
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Total Exclusivity - This is the most comprehensive form of exclusivity that we offer. It prohibits re-licensing of the same image for any use across all industries in the same territory during the same timeframe.
Example: You are in the travel industry and license a photo for international use on a billboard for a given month. If you purchase total exclusivity, we cannot re-license the same image across all industries, internationally, for any use during the same month.
About Additional Usage
Rights-managed images are licensed for a specific use and cannot be used beyond the terms of the license agreement. Another license and additional fees are required for any additional use or re-use of the image.
Examples of common additional uses are website graphics, Internet advertisements, reprints, copyright updates and publications printed in additional languages.
An additional usage license is not required when the image is used within the context of your product. For example, if you purchase an image for a product label, you can use a picture of your product label for promotional purposes.
Unlimited Usage of RM Stock Photos
While one-time usage for a rights-managed photo may cost very little, an unlimited license might seem expensive, especially if for an unlimited period of time. One-time usage rates typically range between $125 and $1,200. Therefore, one should expect to pay more for usage without limitation and even more for usage without limitation over extended period of time.
Although we offer large discounts for unlimited usage, our quote will be in the thousands. If you would like unlimited usage of an image but cannot afford a rights-managed photo, we suggest searching our royalty-free images for a suitable alternative. Royalty-free photos have few usage restrictions and are licensed for a flat rate for an unlimited period of time.
Discounts on Stock Photography
We offer discounts for multi-year, multi-use and multi-image licensing, because time is saved by writing broad contracts. We also offer discounts to frequent customers, because we value repeat clients and the benefits associated with an established working relationship.
We must be paid appropriately for or services, so we do not discount based on exposure, prestige or the promise of future business. We also cannot discount based on your inability to pay for professional photography.
Our Goal in RM Stock Photography Pricing
Our goal in RM stock photography pricing is to provide images at affordable rates relative to your project investment. Simply stated, we charge less for small projects and more for large projects. Our rate for an inexpensive brochure will be considerably less than our rate for an image used in a $150,000 ad. We realize that the image you choose will be a major component of your campaign, and we hope that you realize our rates are an absolute bargain in respect to your project investment.
If you feel we haven't met this goal, please let us know.
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