"Developing" a Better Photo Image

Every firm has its own set of marketing materials, but how long has it been since you've updated the photos in both your printed/collateral materials and on your Web site? If you're like most of us, the answer is too, too long!

There are ways to obtain stock photography without breaking the bank and laws of copyright. Stock photos used to cost quite a bit in usage fees, but the latest trend is to secure stock photos via a CD-ROM collection in which the user pays a one-time fee just for the CD-ROM and avoids any royalty charges.

Be careful about using photos unlawfully. It is worth paying for rights-protected photos because the owners closely monitor the use of these photos for their own protection.

In addition, a real misnomer existing over the Web is that any image already published electronically is public domain. This simply isn't true. All photos are copyright-protected, and users should check with the original source for rights and any fees.