Author Topic: Who is behind all the FREE stock image websites? (Read 6481 times)

msoulam · « **on:** September 21, 2015, 02:06 »

Any idea who is behind all the free royalty free websites such as all-free-downloads, pixabay, pexels etc? It seems that Shutterstock is the main advertiser there but are they also the owners?

And also , where are all these free photos coming from?

ShadySue · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2015, 04:09 »

Quote from: msoulam on September 21, 2015, 02:06

Any idea who is behind all the free royalty free websites such as all-free-downloads, pixabay, pexels etc? It seems that Shutterstock is the main advertiser there but are they also the owners?

And also , where are all these free photos coming from?

Could SS's ads just be Google/whatever ads, triggered by keywords?

msoulam · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2015, 11:11 »

Nope. The search results show free images and then some "sponsored" images with shutterstock's watermark and when you click on them it takes you to their website. In other words, Shutterstock's images are integrated into the results.

ppdd · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2015, 12:17 »

Shutterstock owns none of these. The sources are pretty easy to find - there are lot of photographers releasing a lot of decent photos into the public domain, and those sites aggregate the images and post them (since that allowed, with CC0 public domain license). All these site drive traffic to shutterstock for an affiliate kickback.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2015, 12:39 »

I think anyone can upload the free images. I have had to dmca a few times to have work removed from similar sites. As stated the sponsored or premium SS images give a refer kickback so the sites aren't affiliated to SS or anything

Digital66 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2015, 12:49 »

Simon Steinberger and Hans Braxmeier are the founders (and I guess still owners) of Pixabay.
I guess their plan is to keep growing until they get a multimillion dollar offer.

ShadySue · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2015, 18:47 »

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on September 21, 2015, 12:39

... As stated the sponsored or premium SS images give a refer kickback so the sites aren't affiliated to SS or anything

I think that's exactly what they are:
http://affiliate.shutterstock.com

douglas · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2015, 23:27 »

I was a bit surprised on looking through Pixabay that there were images of trademarks, brands, identifiable models and buildings for which most stock agencies would, rightly or wrongly, demand a property release. How can they then say images are ‘free for commercial use’?

Well, they can’t and on following through to their FAQ https://pixabay.com/en/service/terms/#usage they ‘cannot guarantee’ you can use images for any purpose as Pixabay does not require a model release, If there is one they can’t guarantee it’s legal.

For other trademark or third party rights no warranties given. ‘Use at your own risk’.

An interesting business model. Use whatever you like but if you get sued it’s your problem.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2015, 00:16 »

Quote from: ShadySue on September 21, 2015, 18:47

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on September 21, 2015, 12:39
... As stated the sponsored or premium SS images give a refer kickback so the sites aren't affiliated to SS or anything

I think that's exactly what they are:
http://affiliate.shutterstock.com

Sorry you're right. I no talk English good. I meant they aren't part of shutterstock

mojaric · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2015, 03:29 »

Quote from: msoulam on September 21, 2015, 02:06

Any idea who is behind all the free royalty free websites such as all-free-downloads, pixabay, pexels etc?

ILLUMINATI!

marquixHD · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2015, 16:02 »

Quote from: ShadySue on September 21, 2015, 18:47

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on September 21, 2015, 12:39
... As stated the sponsored or premium SS images give a refer kickback so the sites aren't affiliated to SS or anything

I think that's exactly what they are:
http://affiliate.shutterstock.com

quite likely, indeed.

Strange though that, according to Whois information (in some cases imprint where a proper one exists on-site), all of them are based in or connected to or registered/held by someone or rather a group of what appears to be Germany-based college friends. Makes you think...