Stock Photography Written by Timothy Roy Gleason Contributor to SAGE Publications's The SAGE Encyclopedia of Journalism (2022) whose work appears in Britannica as part of a joint publishing agreement with SAGE. Timothy Roy Gleason Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 30, 2026 •History Stock photography is the creation, storage, and sale of photographs to clients who want to purchase already-made images. Photographers face various challenges in making a living as stock photographers. Many stock photographers, if not most, do it as a part-time job. Stock photography’s origins can be traced to the 1800s, but it has changed to reflect business practices and social values. The roots of stock photography are visible in the manufacture of stereographs and the...

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