LICENCES & USAGE
Introduction
Our images are licensed, not sold. When you purchase an image you are obtaining the legal right to use it under specific conditions defined by the licence you choose. Copyright remains with the photographer at all times unless a separate transfer agreement is made.
This licensing structure is designed to be simple, transparent and suitable for a wide range of needs, from personal prints and editorial features to business communications, advertising campaigns and exclusive usage. The goal is clarity and confidence, with straightforward terms that avoid the jargon found on many stock-photo platforms.
All licences on this site grant non-exclusive rights unless stated otherwise.
LICENCE TYPES AND PRICING
Below is a clear summary of each licence and what it permits.
Personal Use – $19.99
Private prints, home décor, cards and gifts. Non-commercial, non-public use only. Not permitted for websites, social media, business use, advertising or resale.
Newsletters & Presentations – $19.99
Internal or private distribution only. Suitable for talks, lessons, club newsletters, course materials and internal presentations. Not for public websites or commercial activity.
Online Editorial Use – $49.99
Approved for websites, blogs, online articles, social media (non-commercial) and apps. Worldwide use for five years. Not permitted for advertising, marketing or promotional content.
Newspapers, Magazines & Books (Editorial) – $59.99
Print or digital use in newspapers, magazines, textbooks or retail books. Interior placement only, any size, unlimited circulation, five-year duration. Advertising and promotional use not included.
Small Business Internal Use – $69.99
Internal company materials for businesses with up to 10 employees. Allowed uses include internal brochures, staff newsletters, training documents, intranet pages and internal presentations. Excludes external advertising or marketing.
Large Business Internal Use – $99.99
Internal company materials for businesses with more than 10 employees. Covers internal brochures, training materials, internal campaigns and staff communications. Excludes external advertising or public-facing marketing.
Advertising Licence – $149.99
For public-facing promotional use. Includes adverts, posters, brochures, banners, promotional websites, social-media advertising and other marketing campaigns. Worldwide use for three years. Does not include resale, merchandise or product-packaging rights.
Unlimited / Lifetime Licence – $249.99
Long-term, flexible, non-exclusive usage. Suitable for editorial, corporate, social, advertising and general commercial use (excluding resale, merchandise and packaging). Worldwide usage with no expiry or circulation limits.
Full Buyout Licence – From $799
Grants exclusive, perpetual worldwide usage rights across all media. The image will be removed from sale and no further licences will be issued. Photographer retains copyright (standard industry practice), but the purchaser gains sole usage rights. Final pricing depends on the rarity and significance of the image and the intended scope of use. Contact us to confirm eligibility for each image.
LICENCE DEFINITIONS AND KEY TERMS
Editorial vs Commercial Use
Editorial use covers contexts where the image is used to inform, illustrate or educate. Examples include newspapers, blogs, aviation websites, news reports and books.
Editorial use does not allow promotion or advertising.
Commercial use covers any activity that promotes a product, service or organisation. This includes advertising, marketing campaigns, paid social media, brochures, posters and branding materials. Commercial use requires an Advertising Licence, Unlimited/Lifetime Licence or a Full Buyout.
Non-Exclusive vs Exclusive Rights
Most licences on this site are non-exclusive, meaning the same image may be licensed to multiple clients.
Full Buyout is exclusive; once purchased, no other licences will be granted.
Usage Duration and Territory
Each licence specifies duration (such as five years or lifetime) and applies worldwide unless stated otherwise.
What a Licence Does Not Grant
Purchasing a licence does not grant ownership, copyright or the right to resell, redistribute or sub-license the image. Merchandise, mass-production and product-packaging rights require a custom agreement or Full Buyout.
LICENSING FAQ
Do I own the image after purchasing it?
No. You receive a licence to use the image under defined terms. Copyright always remains with the photographer unless explicitly transferred.
What is editorial use?
Editorial use supports content that informs or educates. This includes newspaper articles, blogs, books, aviation-industry reporting and similar contexts. The image cannot promote or advertise a product or service.
What is commercial use?
Commercial use promotes a business, service or product. Examples include paid online advertising, brochures, posters, flyers, company websites used to sell services, or social-media advertising. Commercial use requires a commercial or advertising licence.
Can I post the image on social media?
Yes, if you have an Online Editorial Use licence (for non-commercial posts) or an Advertising Licence (for commercial posts and campaigns). Social media is considered public distribution.
Can I use the image in a YouTube video?
For informational or educational videos, the Online Editorial Use licence applies.
For business promotion, advertising or sponsored content, the Advertising Licence is required.
Can I use the image in my company’s internal materials?
Yes. Choose Small Business Internal Use (up to 10 employees) or Large Business Internal Use (more than 10 employees) depending on company size.
Why are advertising licences more expensive?
Advertising use is tied to measurable commercial value, brand visibility and promotional impact. Higher exposure and commercial benefit require broader rights, which increases the licence cost.
What is included in a Lifetime Licence?
Lifetime licences offer long-term, flexible usage across most media types. They do not permit merchandise, resale or product-packaging without a custom agreement.
What does a Full Buyout include?
Exclusive, perpetual usage rights across all media. The image is removed from sale. Copyright remains with the photographer unless expressly transferred. This option is priced from $799, depending on usage and image rarity.
Can I resell the image or upload it to stock libraries?
No. Redistribution, resale, sharing to third parties or uploading to stock libraries is strictly prohibited unless custom rights are granted in writing.
Can I print the image on merchandise?
Not with standard licences. Merchandise or product-packaging requires a custom commercial licence or a Full Buyout.
Is credit required?
Editorial credit is appreciated but not mandatory unless specified. Commercial use does not require credit.
Can I upgrade my licence later?
Yes. You can upgrade to a higher licence tier by paying the price difference. Contact us with the image reference and your original licence.
What if I need a custom licence?
We can provide custom agreements for film and documentary use, product packaging, merchandise, high-volume distribution, OEM/defence-sector use or extended exclusivity. Contact us with your project details.