Licensing FAQ

How photo licensing works on this site, and what each term in the configurator means.

How pricing works

Every image has a base price determined by its category tier. Your final price is calculated by multiplying that base by the factors you select in the configurator: usage type, media, distribution, duration, exclusivity, and geography. Each choice has a multiplier (shown as a small number like 1.0× or 2.5×). Higher multipliers mean broader rights and a higher price. There is a minimum floor of $50 per license.

Preset packages (Web, Print, Broadcast, Full Commercial) are shortcuts that pre-fill all six parameters. You can start from a preset and adjust individual terms, or build a custom license from scratch.

Usage type

This is the most fundamental choice: how the image will be used.

Editorial: Use in news, journalism, commentary, education, blogs, or non-commercial storytelling. The image illustrates a story or topic and is not used to promote, sell, or endorse a product, service, or brand. Lower cost because it carries fewer legal risks.
Commercial: Use in advertising, marketing, product packaging, promotional materials, or any context where the image helps sell something. Requires appropriate model and property releases. Higher cost because the image directly drives commercial value.

Media type

Where the image will appear. This determines both the multiplier and the file you receive.

Web (small): Blog posts, social media, email newsletters, or small web placements. You receive a high-quality 1200px JPEG.
Web (large / hero): Full-width hero images, landing pages, feature articles, or prominent web placements. You receive a high-quality 2400px JPEG.
Print: Magazines, books, brochures, posters, packaging, or any physical reproduction. You receive the full-resolution original file.
Broadcast / video: Television, film, streaming video, documentaries, or motion graphics. You receive the full-resolution original.
Out-of-home (OOH): Billboards, transit ads, building wraps, signage, or any large-format public display. You receive the full-resolution original.

Distribution / reach

How many people will see the image. This reflects the scale of your project.

Personal / internal: Internal presentations, mood boards, personal projects, or office decor. Not published externally.
Under 10,000: Small-audience publications: local newsletters, niche blogs, limited-run print pieces.
Under 100,000: Mid-range: regional magazines, mid-size websites, moderate social campaigns.
Unlimited: No audience cap. National campaigns, major websites, mass-market print.

License duration

How long you can use the image.

One-time use: A single publication, issue, or campaign. Once it runs, the license expires.
1 year: Use the image for up to one year from the date of purchase. Covers ongoing campaigns, website use, or repeated publication within that period.
3 years: Extended use for up to three years. Good for long-running campaigns or brand assets you don't want to relicense annually.
Perpetual: Use the image indefinitely, with no expiration. The image can remain in published materials forever.

Exclusivity

Whether others can license the same image while your license is active.

Non-exclusive: The image remains available for others to license. This is the standard option and keeps the price lower. Most licenses are non-exclusive.
Exclusive: No one else can license this image for the duration of your license. Significantly more expensive because it removes the image from the market. Not available for editorial use.

Geography

Where in the world the image can be used.

Single country: Use is restricted to one country. The specific country is noted on your license.
Regional: Use across multiple countries within a region (e.g., North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific).
Worldwide: No geographic restriction. The image can be used in any country.

Release status

Each image shows its model and property release status. This affects which usage types are available:

Model release available — recognizable people in the image have signed a release. Commercial use is permitted.
Model release not available — the image includes recognizable people who have not signed a release. Only editorial use is allowed.
Property release available — owners of identifiable private property in the image have signed a release.
Property release not available — identifiable private property appears without a release. Only editorial use is allowed.
Not applicable — the image does not contain recognizable people or private property.

What you receive

After checkout, you receive:

The image file(s) — unwatermarked, at the resolution appropriate for your media type
A license PDF documenting the exact terms of your purchase
Both are delivered by email and available for download from your account page

If the photo has multiple variants, all are included in a single zip file.

What you cannot do

Use the image outside the scope of your license (different media, geography, or duration than purchased)
Sublicense, resell, or transfer the license to a third party
Use the image to train AI or machine learning models
Remove or alter the photographer's copyright or metadata
Use the image in a way that is defamatory, obscene, or otherwise unlawful

Still have questions?

Contact licensing@timtrautmann.com for anything not covered here — custom terms, bulk licensing, or general questions about using a specific image.