Yes! You can use Shutterstock images on websites without any restrictions on the number of viewers or hits on the website. Under the Standard License, images can also be used in web video without regard to audience size, provided that the production budget is less than $10,000 USD. If your budget exceeds $10,000 USD, the Enhanced License allows for unlimited audience size without regard to production budget. All of Shutterstock's licenses are royalty-free, so you can use the images without time restrictions.

How It Works

If you’re not a professional photographer and don’t have one on staff, you’ve likely found yourself in need of a stock photo on occasion. Stock images are taken, edited and ready for use once they are purchased from Shutterstock. Authors and photographers may submit their images to our company so that you can download them directly from us rather than having to contact the owner. We work out the details with the photographer, so you don’t have to.

Along with stock images, Shutterstock also offers vector files, sound tracks, illustrations and video clips. The type of membership you choose with us determines the type of access you have and how many downloads you have each month.

Shutterstock Photos Are Royalty-Free

Although there is a charge for Shutterstock images, once you have purchased them, they become what is known as royalty-free. This means that you are granted copyright to the intellectual property and have the license to use what you buy in multiple ways on multiple applications. Once you have paid for a video, image, or other type of content, you can use them in a print ad campaign, web banner or on your website. When used for news reporting, commentary, publishing or in any editorial purpose or context,  it is a best practice to cite pictures used for editorial purposes in the format below:

Photo: Jane Doe/Shutterstock

When you are using the content, you are unable to use the content on any site that claims ownership of it or at a greater size than what was the intended resolution. Shutterstock content must not be used in any way that contradicts the license agreements you accepted with the company. One example of this is content that is used in an offensive manner or when images of models are used deceptively.

Why Use Stock Photos?

Stock photos like those from Shutterstock allow customers to simplify their graphic design needs and provide a low-cost option for necessary content. Rather than waiting for a photographer to shoot the photos, edit them and send them to you, you can download them immediately with Shutterstock.

A professional photographer is an expensive investment, and few companies have the capital to hire one. Buying stock photos is a much more cost-effective way to obtain the photos you need for your website, ads and social media.

Browse the huge selection of products Shutterstock offers and learn more about our subscription options to determine which is right for you. Each week we add millions of photos to our collection to ensure that your needs are met.