As an entrepreneur, you are familiar with trying to build something that works financially, preferably in the long term. Stock photography, a market estimated at $4 billion in 2023, has been a reliable source of passive income for years. But with AI generated content appearing, should you exchange your camera for a photoshop-like algorithm?

The established power of stock photography

Stock photography is a proven way to monetize your artistic vision. Platforms connect you to a huge market with millions of potential buyers. You upload your work once and earn from it repeatedly and endlessly. Just one image can earn you hundreds or thousands of dollars in free sales.

For more, stock photo platforms provide licensing agreements, indemnity and a clear legal framework for your business, reducing downstream consequences legal risks for all parties involved.

Connected: How modern entrepreneurs can benefit from image and video searches

Legal and Ethical Considerations of AI

AI-generated content is the new kid on the block, bringing opportunities and challenges. Many companies have started selling Generative AI while you need to learn more about stock photography requirements.

As such, this exciting new frontier is not without its legal difficulties, particularly in relation to copyright ownership, the risk of infringement of intellectual property rights and the need for consent from people or models — issues that traditionally created content doesn't raise.

AI tools have been and are still being trained primarily on existing images, raising questions about author permissions. Without clear transparency and compensation mechanisms, most artists don't have it and still don't greenlight their work on training or using AI, on the contrary. So how do you know how much or to what extent your AI-driven image is derivative intellectual property of another artist? And what, if any, are the liabilities for you? Can you safely and legally generate images of people? Any unauthorized commercial and even editorial use of an individual's likeness can have significant legal consequences for you and your customers.

Also, who owns the copyright: the AI ​​developers, you, or someone else? It is said to be a final decision you cannot work with copyright AI, so creators who use such tools are just… tools. When using AI to generate content, you may find yourself in a less clear-cut legal position: image promoter versus undisputed copyright owner.

Real vs Generated

For image entrepreneurs, success lies in creating distinctive images. Famous names in the industry have signature styles that have been perfected over the years. AI mostly replicates techniques and styles in a hyper-realistic manner, with results that dilute the artistic brand, perhaps to the point of exhaustion, ultimately failing to produce authentic and diverse images. The critical question arises: what happens to creativity when the market is flooded with very similar-looking images due to the widespread use of AI? Market saturation affects sales, so taking a unique approach to your work becomes a matter of artistic integrity and a necessity for your commercial success.

AI can work for abstract concepts for image buyers, but conveying authenticity through AI remains difficult. Audiences crave authenticity and they need relatable visuals. True authenticity comes from the nuanced perspectives of individuals who can understand and grasp the larger context. Not only can the audience distinguish the real from the fabricated, but relying on AI-generated images can fail miserably on brands or services.

Many clients purchase visuals with high SEO results in mind. Original photos with reliable metadata are a big win, and using natural-looking photos will increase user engagement. Because AI-generated content can lead to content removal, original stock photos save your clients from serious SEO headaches.

AI-generated images often create ethical dilemmas about fraud, misinterpretation AND fake news in fields such as journalism or historical documentation. Augmenting or modifying reality undermines credibility and authority and can DAMAGE your service.

Connected: I tried 3 AI Headshot generators, 1 can work for LinkedIn

Why you should work with ethical partners in visual storytelling

Whether you're buying or selling images, stock photo platforms remain the safest and most trusted place for high-quality, ethically sourced content. Stock photography is multifaceted, and AI is just beginning to participate in this landscape.

Explore different platforms, review their content acceptance policies and AI content approaches, and find the one that matches your goals and audience. Platforms typically prioritize ethical and legal content, ensure all uploaded images are original and copyright protected, and review each photo before publication. You can be sure that you are licensing high quality and ethical content.

Additionally, these AI-generating platforms are at the forefront of ethical discussions regarding content creation, particularly in compensating copyright holders. By including such content under clear ethical guidelines, they set a precedent for the use of AI and AI-generated content. Creators may be limited to using AI tools that provide full rights or be required to label AI visuals specifically.

Connected: Deepfakes are hiding in 2024. Here's how to navigate the ever-growing AI threat landscape

The bigger picture

AI technology is all about progress, and stock photography is poised to embrace it, provided it benefits both creative communities and image buyers. The common understanding of the industry is that AI is an assistive tool that aims to improve and enrich the needs of users, whether in creating artwork or improving specific models. Artificial intelligence is great for filling in the gaps left by photographic images, such as futuristic concepts, utopian landscapes or imagining hypothetical situations.

However, the lack of a formal regulatory system means that image entrepreneurs, platforms and content users are still navigating uncharted waters. Before using AI for perfect results, consider its benefits or disadvantages. Like content creation, content generation must be done responsibly, with informed judgment and supported by legal foundations.

Connected: What's stopping you from using generative AI in your business?

Turn your passion into a thriving portfolio

So is stock photography still relevant for entrepreneurial creatives? Absolutely! AI-generated content is in demand, but quality, authenticity and legal certainty influence customers to favor stock photography. As technology evolves and legislation eventually introduces regulations, the choice may come down to personal preference, but uniqueness will remain a key differentiator.

Stay on that cam, leverage platforms like Dream time, stay informed, and most importantly, let your unique storytelling style shine through your lens. This is how you will build a successful image business that thrives over the years and resists technological advancement.