Stock images Market Expected to Reach $12.2 Billion by 2032—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Stock images Market," The stock images market size was valued at $6.4 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $12.2 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2032. In 2022, the manmade objects segment accounted for the majority of the total stock images market share.  

Stock pictures are photographs that have been licensed for use in specific circumstances. These pictures' distribution and licensing rights are purchased from the picture's original photographers after which they are distributed to different stock photo users for a price. Stock photo websites and suppliers provide a platform for photographers, enthusiasts, beginners, and image creators to post their work and earn money from the use of their images, while customers who require stock photos for their own or corporate projects can search through a large collection of images and use them through an annual or monthly subscription as well as on a standalone image purchase basis.

Stock pictures are an invaluable resource for media marketing, particularly digital marketing. Stock photos address issues such as time limits and the hunt for specific photographs to match specific settings by supplying excellent quality, editorial-like photography without the need for several weeks of planning, filming, and editing. Every year, stock media saves advertisers millions of dollars while also saving them time by providing inexpensive b-roll, material to use as pitch decks, and critical graphics for brand campaigns. Creating current branding requires consistency, which stock photography excels at. By using stock images from the same shot, the same model in multiple circumstances, or an individual photographer with a defined aesthetic, advertising efforts and branded material can achieve the consistency required for recall of the brand and identity. The increasing popularity of online purchase has permanently altered consumer behavior. Furthermore, even in regions where online purchase is already common, e-commerce will continue to grow. Manufacturers must be identifiable to increase income through the e-commerce channel. Participants are using digital advertising, marketing on social media, email marketing, pay-per-click commercials, and other digital marketing channels to accomplish this. Companies are embracing stock picture services to make their products stand out in the market and separate them from competition. As such, the expansion of e-commerce businesses, as well as the efforts of companies to increase product awareness in order to expand their consumer base, will boost demand for stock images industry throughout the forecast period.

Stock photos can be accessible for free on the internet, allowing consumers to browse every available stock image without first having to pay for them. Among the players who offer free stock images are Pixabay, Pexels, SplitShire, Burst (by Shopify), and Grastisography. Each image is available for free download and usage for both private and commercial purposes. Credit is not required, although it is strongly advised. The user can modify or personalize the images after downloading them (but not resell or make money from them). However, the library of free image sites is smaller than that of commercial services. As a result of the quantity of beautiful and inventive free stock images, the development of the paid stock images market may be stifled.

Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) support systems are quickly evolving. Companies can handle a greater range of attributes, which can greatly boost company efficiency. As a result, stock picture providers provide many AI solutions to help their clients enhance their AI skills. Shutterstock Inc., for example, debuted an AI image-generation system in the beginning of 2023, that will be accessible to all Shutterstock consumers in any of the site's various languages. By introducing new machine learning and artificial intelligence aspects into stock image provider websites, users will acquire the opportunity to apply revolutionary, ethical, and simple skills, increasing their degree of innovation and efficiency.

The stock images market analysis is done on the basis of type and region. By type, the stock images market is classified into nature photography, people photography, manmade objects, abstract photography. By region, the stock images market is divided across North America (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Rest of LAMEA).

Manmade objects types of stock images accounted for the majority of stock images market demand, while the people photography type of stock image is estimated to have a steady growth with a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period. Rise in demand for people photography stock images amongst consumers and marketers are the major stock images market trends. Asia-Pacific region was the largest shareholder in terms of the stock images market consumption in the region owing to the large number of content creators and advertising agencies in the region in the region. North America region was the second largest in terms of market share, and the same region is expected to have the highest stock images market growth rate with a CAGR of 7.5% at the end of the forecast period.

Key findings of the study

• By type, the manmade objects stock image segment dominated the market in 2022 and the people photography stock image segment is expected to have the highest growth during the forecast period.
• By region, Asia-Pacific garners the highest revenue whereas North America is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period.

The players operating in the stock images market have adopted various developmental strategies to increase their Stock image Market Share, gain profitability, and remain competitive in the market. The key players operating in the Stock image Market Analysis include- Depositphotos, Inc. USA, Adobe Inc., Inmagine Lab Pte., Ltd., Dreamstime, Stocksy United, Canva, Inc, Shutterstock, Inc., The Associated Press, Getty Images Holdings, Inc, and Unsplash.