For anyone who ever looked for stock photos or media on the internet, Shutterstock and Getty Images are the names they know. Their approaches, styles and histories are quite distinct despite their serving similar purposes.
I still remember the first time I bought a stock photo. I was so confused between the two! Over time however, I found out that Shutterstock favors more daily use while Getty Images is like an aladdin’s cave for those searching for high-end and editorial type visuals. Despite being established for years, it’s fascinating to see how each one has developed in its specific way. Let’s take a look at what makes them different from one another.
Ownership and Structure of Shutterstock
At my first encounter with Shutterstock, it seemed like those large companies that are owned by other big corporations. However, this is not true! In 2003, Jon Oringer founded Shutterstock. He started off in a very simple manner where he uploaded his own collection containing about thirty thousand pictures. Little did he know that this small initiative would become one of the largest stock photo sites across the globe?
As a publicly listed company on NYSE under the ticker ‘SSTK’, Shutterstock has many owners none of whom has outright ownership over it.
Jon Oringer was the CEO until 2020, when he stepped down but continued to serve as chairman of the company. It is an indication that the company respects the ideas of its founder while transitioning into new management. In other words, ordinary folks like us ‘own’ Shutterstock by buying shares since it is publicly traded. Isn’t this amazing?
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Who Owns Getty Images?
Interesting thing though: the original founder Mark Getty is the man behind Getty Images and he belongs to the Getty family that has been associated with oil wealth for years. Therefore, it makes this company have some elements of a legacy feel. This can be observed as one browses through their image library. It’s more like going into something great than just stock photos.
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Comparing Shutterstock and Getty Images
There are many options available in stock photo services from Shutterstock and Getty Images. However, putting them side by side seems somewhat illogical. One time when I was working on a certain project I kept on switching between both platforms to see which one would best suit my needs. That’s when it struck me that although they do the same thing, they are different entities altogether.
As for me, Getty Images is a completely different universe. When you think of it in comparison to Shutterstock, it would be right to call Getty a boutique in this case. They are more interested in high quality and exclusive content as it is primarily meant for journalists and professionals who want something sophisticated and exquisite.
When I’m looking for such one-of-a-kind stuff as celebrity images, world events photojournalism or uncommon artistic collections, I go to Getty Images. But this unique feature comes with its price tag – hence expensive too.
In conclusion, Shutterstock emphasizes cheapness and volume while Getty Images leans more towards scarcity and quality. If you look closely, each has its own merits based on your preferences.
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Does Getty Images Have Control Over Shutterstock?
This is a question that arises frequently. A few individuals think that since both corporations are leaders in the stock media business they could possibly be interlinked or even owned by one and the same company. However, Getty Images lack any authority on Shutterstock.Henceforth, these two enterprises remain rival firms.
This was mostly bothering me. It’s not unusual to hear that big companies are taking over their competitors, so it’s reasonable to assume that has happened to these two. Nonetheless, Shutterstock is still an independent and publicly traded firm whereas Getty Images is privately owned by another group of investors, as I explained earlier. If Getty was ever in control of Shutterstock, such information would have caused a stir in the stock photography industry; but at present they remain enemies fighting for territory.
It is an engaging interaction to witness as they provide services which can complement each other depending on your demands even as they are in competition. When presented with a choice between A and B, never forget that you have unique organizations at hand with various advantages or disadvantages attached to them.
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Are There Any Partnerships Between Shutterstock and Getty Images?
So far as I know, Shutterstock and Getty Images aren’t directly partnered in any way. They are there to compete. Still, that’s interesting to consider. What if these two goliaths joined forces? In that case they would be a true media stock leader. But it’s not so in real life.
Hence, it is better that each organization is allowed to run its own show. Because spheres and audiences are distinct for them, a partnership may not work well; or it may be the case that companies involved would end up losing their identities. Notably though, these two organizations sometimes partner with other kinds of firms without collaborating with each other.
For instance, Shutterstock collaborates with different software developers in order to build an image resource into certain designing programs that help in the production of visual images while residing among media houses over and above being a news delivery vehicle through Getty Images.
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How Shutterstock and Getty Images Differ in Services
Even though Shutterstock and Getty Images offer stock photographs, videos as well as other forms of media, their individual services are distinct. It is similar to whether you decide on a fast train journey or an extensive road trip - both goal destinations but with very different experiences. During my years of using these platforms, I have realized how diverse their products are.
In mind of accessibility, Shutterstock was created. Whether you are a small business owner, freelance designer or a student in search of some visuals, there is something for everyone at Shutterstock. They offer different plans which are cheap enough and you get to access millions of photos, vectors as well as videos. It is an easy to use and comprehend service that I often come to whenever I want something in hurry without having to spend much.
However, it should be noted that this exclusive service demands higher charges and very often you have to buy images separately as opposed to through subscription.
To summarize, Shutterstock is good for general, common daily usage without straining your financial resources but Getty Images stands out when it comes to high-end, specialty materials. Everyone has their own preference.
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FAQ About Shutterstock and Getty Images
Q: Are Shutterstock and Getty Images the same company?
A: No, Shutterstock and Getty Images are two firms that are different from one another and are rivals in the business of stock media.
Q: Which platform is cheaper?
A: Shutterstock is usually more cheap, chiefly for people needing lots of downloads. But Getty Images always has high prices, especially when it comes to editorial and exclusive content.
Q: Can I use images from both platforms for commercial projects?
A: Absolutely, licenses for commercial purposes can be obtained from both Shutterstock and Getty Images. But it is important to go through the licensing terms meticulously since they vary across these platforms.
Q: Does Getty Images own Shutterstock?
No, Shutterstock is not owned by Getty images. These are completely independent companies.
Q: Which is better for editorial content?
A: Known mostly for quality editorial contents, Getty Images provide high-resolution pictures to major events, celebrities, and news archives.
Conclusion on the Relationship Between Shutterstock and Getty Images
In conclusion, Shutterstock as well as Getty Images represent two titans within the realm of stock media; however, they serve different purposes and target diverse groups of people. Though they both render useful assistance to clients, they lack any ties with one another. General-purpose images that come at low prices are ideal for Shutterstock whereas Getty Images specializes in costly editorial and exclusive content.
With the passage of time and as I have been involved in different initiatives, I have gained an understanding of the merits of each platform. This is not a matter of determining the ‘better’ option but realizing what is necessary for a given project. Both Shutterstock offers economical alternatives, while Getty may provide pristine, original material in high cost; their value lies just therein. Hence innovations are stimulated by their antagonism which acrues to our favour since we depend on these materials within our creativity.
