Hey there, newbie stock media user. So you’ve heard about Shutterstock but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Using stock photos, vectors, footage, and music in your projects is easier than you think. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through how to find what you need on Shutterstock, choose the right license for your needs, and download content to use right away. By the end, you’ll be an expert at navigating the world’s largest stock media marketplace. Whether you’re creating marketing materials, building a website, putting together a video, or designing a presentation, Shutterstock has you sorted. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!
Getting Started With Shutterstock: Setting Up Your Account
Getting started with Shutterstock is easy. Just head to shutterstock.com and create a free account. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll have access to over 350 million high-quality stock photos, vectors, illustrations, and footage clips to download.
To find what you need, use the search bar at the top of the page. Enter keywords like “business people” or “modern office” and select the content type you want, such as images or video. Refine your search by size, color, price, and more. Preview by hovering over any result.
When you find something you like, check the license. “Standard” allows unlimited use in both personal and commercial projects. “Enhanced” gives you the same rights plus the ability to modify the content. “Premium” is for exclusive use.
To download, just click “Licence now”. Then go to your Downloads page, select a file format – JPG, PNG, EPS, or MP4 – and click “Download”. Your content is now ready to use!
A few tips:
•Sort by “Most relevant” to see premium, popular results first.
•Use filters to narrow down options. Try “People”, “Business & Work” or “Modern & Minimal”.
•Look for eye-catching images with lots of negative space. They’re easy to incorporate into designs.
•For videos, choose clips with ambient audio for the most flexibility.
With the world’s best collection of stock media at your fingertips, you’ll be creating amazing content in no time! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Searching and Downloading Images and Videos on Shutterstock
Searching for the perfect image or video clip on Shutterstock is easy once you know the basics.
Finding What You Need
To start your search, enter a keyword, phrase, or topic into the search bar at the top of the page. For the best results, keep your search terms broad to return a wide range of options. You can then filter the results by category like ‘photos’, ‘vectors’, or ‘footage’ on the left.
Shutterstock’s advanced search allows you to refine results by orientation, size, color, and more. You can also search within a collection if you’re looking for something specific. The ‘visual search’ feature lets you upload an image to find similar matches.
When you find an item you like, check the available licenses to determine how you can use it. ‘Standard’ and ‘Enhanced’ licenses cover most web and print uses. ‘Premium’ access provides the most flexibility.
Downloading and Using Your Content
Once you’ve selected a license, download your chosen item by clicking ‘Add to cart’ and proceed to checkout. Your download will contain a high-resolution file ready for use, as well as an attribution statement you must display with the content.
The attribution statement will contain details like the creator’s name and a link back to the item on Shutterstock. Be sure to include this statement whenever you publish the content to properly credit the contributor.
With an amazing collection, simple search tools, and a range of flexible licenses, Shutterstock has everything you need to bring your creative projects to life. Now get searching and make something amazing!
Licencing Shutterstock Content: Understanding the Options
When downloading content from Shutterstock, you have a few options for how you can license it. The license you choose depends on how you intend to use the content.
For most uses, a Standard Licence will suit your needs. This allows you to use the content for both commercial and personal purposes, like on websites, social media, presentations, and more. The content can be used in multiple forms of media. However, the content must be used as is and cannot be modified. This license is royalty-free but is non-exclusive.
If you need more flexibility, consider an Enhanced Licence. This allows you to make minor alterations to the content, such as changing its size, and color, or adding text overlays. You can also use the content in commercials, TV shows, movies, and apps. This license is also royalty-free but non-exclusive.
For the most flexibility, choose an Extended Licence. This allows unlimited use of the content for commercial or editorial purposes, even if it’s part of a product you intend to resell multiple times, like a book, template, or product design. You’re free to modify the content as needed. This license is also royalty-free but provides more exclusivity than the other options.
If you’re still unsure of which license to choose, Shutterstock offers descriptions and recommendations when you go to download an item to help determine which level of rights and flexibility you require. You can then filter your search results to only show content with your desired license type. Choosing the right license upfront will ensure you have permission to use the content as you intend and avoid any legal issues down the road.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A quick beginner’s crash course to get you up and running with Shutterstock. You now know how to search for high-quality stock photos, vectors, videos, and music that match your creative needs. You’ve learned the differences between licenses so you can choose what works best for your project. And you’ve picked up a few pro tips along the way to help you find what you’re looking for faster.
The world of stock media is now at your fingertips. Time to get creative! Whether you’re building a website, designing marketing materials, or working on your next video masterpiece, Shutterstock has you covered. Now go forth and make something amazing with your newfound stock media knowledge. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
