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I want to get in to a graphic design course in university. I have alot of projects in mind, however i dont know if im allowed to use stock photos...would it be ok if they were in the final piece as well (such as in a magazine cover or a brochure). I also want to do photomanipulation, but i dont know if could use stock photos for that either. Thankyou so much

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  • What do the terms of the stock photos say? Generally, when you buy a stock photo, you’re buying a licence to use that photo in specific circumstances – only the licence can tell you whether your intended use is covered. Commented Aug 6, 2020 at 19:13
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    Does this answer your question? What to include in my portfolio? or graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/104452/… or graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/6068/… Commented Aug 6, 2020 at 19:27
  • ill be using free stock images, the ones that r copywrite free from websites like pexel im just not sure if the unis will be ok with it or if i have to use my own photos (that would be a problem) Commented Aug 6, 2020 at 19:38
  • There's no such thing as "copyright free" other than 75+ year old "Public Domain" images. They all come with terms and rarely if ever are they entirely rights free. Check Terms of Service and Licenses. Commented Aug 6, 2020 at 19:40
  • oh i mean u know those website that where people add photos they took for people to download for free, so long as you give them credit for it, its those ones. sorry i thought it was called copywrite free, i'll definately do my research on licensing and stuff Commented Aug 6, 2020 at 19:46

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Stock images are typically how things are done. It not possible to travel to, or set up a custom photo shoot for every image necessary.

it's fine to use stock image in a portfolio. Be sure you purchase the images though... don't merely use Google as your image source. If asked, merely state "It's a stock image." There's no shame or harm in that.

Photo manipulation is generally okay with stock images as well. I mean I never use a straight image as it was purchased. I always do something to to it.

Just be careful with the license where photo manipulation is concerned... i.e. a stock image manipulated and then sold as a poster may be beyond any licensing terms.

Example...
I recently discovered a sticker being sold on Amazon that uses a stock illustration I created. I know for a fact resell rights weren't granted. So.. yeah.. there's a legal issue where someone is infringing upon my rights by selling a sticker.

But merely for a portfolio, to show off skills, you'd be fine.

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  • thankyou so much! I was pretty stressed out about this but i guess it was nothing to worry about, and yes i will definately alter the photos in some way shape or form Commented Aug 6, 2020 at 19:47

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