Obtaining stock photographs from a service like Shutterstock typically involves licensing agreements. Images acquired through these agreements often include watermarks to protect copyright and denote that the image is a preview. High-definition (HD) versions are available for licensed use, generally after purchasing a subscription or individual license.
The primary benefit of securing images through official channels is the assurance of proper usage rights. This eliminates the risk of copyright infringement and potential legal repercussions. Historically, the availability of stock photography has significantly reduced production costs for businesses by offering readily available visuals for marketing, advertising, and website content.