Stock photography is images that can be used by advertisers, magazines, publishers, graphic designers, web designers, calendar and greeting cards companies, and television and film producers for commercial purposes. Instead of hiring a photographer to shoot an image or event, one can go through a stock photograph library and order a wide range of photographs. Using stock photography saves a consumer a lot of money. Images can be purchased through the Internet, delivered by e-mail or downloaded. The business of stock photography began around the time of the American Civil War, when photographers sold images of war to use in stereo viewers.

Stock photographers can resell their images to as many different customers as they desire, because they hold all copyrights. Photographers who are interested in selling stock photos can represent themselves, as well as contact a stock photography agency to represent them. Oftentimes the photography will be placed in catalogues for easy perusal, eithe online or in print.

Prices differ from photograph to photograph and customer to customer. Generally speaking, the price is based on how many people are going to view the image once it is published. Stock photographers have the advantage of showing their work worldwide. Some of the most popular and sellable photographs are of sunrises, sunsets, clouds, nature, animals and birds. The list goes on. Some stock photography carries no copyright law attached to it. This means anyone can use the photography for whatever purpose they intend. This type of free-of-rights photography is sometimes called clip art.