Using images in written content such as in blog posts, news articles, advertisements or brochures is crucial to attracting more readers and viewers. A relevant visual will engage readers and enrich your content.
However, the use of photos requires knowledge of the rules of image licensing, the type of photo that is best suited to your purpose, and how to properly cite the photographer or the image copyright owner. We have condensed the rules on editorial licensing in order to help you understand how to include images in your own written content.
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What is an Editorial Image and How Can It Be Used?
An editorial image is usually intended for educational or descriptive purposes. Images sold under an editorial license may be used in news articles, travel pieces, blogs and textbooks to help educate the reader and complement the story told by the written content.
If an image falls into the editorial category it might not be licensable for commercial purposes, such as promoting advertising or marketing of a product or service for profitable gain, without additional clearance. For example, editorial images cannot usually be used directly in a product advertisement or on a social media page that has the purpose of promoting a business or service.
Editorial images often depict scenes and events that are news-worthy and of public interest. Common examples are pictures of sports competitions, news from around the world, celebrities and entertainment, concerts, important political events, and social gatherings.
General view, MARCH 4, 2022 : the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony at the National stadium in Beijing, China. (Photo by MA SPORTS/Aflo Images)
When using editorial images, it is essential to respect the following general rules:
- Editorial images cannot be used in a defamatory or morally questionable way.
- Editorial images can only be used for the purpose of providing a description of an event in an article or text, and not to endorse a product or service.
- Editorial images should feature a proper editorial caption including location, date, a factual description and an image credit.
How to Identify Editorial Images
On afloimages.com editorial photos can be identified by checking the License type in the Details section below each individual image preview. Images where the License type is marked as Editorial may show certain people or property where the required releases for commercial use have not been obtained. It is possible to search for Editorial images only by using the dropdown menu in the search box at the top of the page.
On Afloimages.com the license type of every image and video is clearly indicated in the preview page.
It is possible to search for Editorial images only by using the dropdown menu in the search box at the top of the page.
The following characteristics may also help you to identify if an image is editorial:
- It includes a celebrity, sportsperson or prominent public figure.
October 5th 2022, Otani hits an infield single in the 8th inning (Photo By THE SPORTS NIPPON NEWSPAPERS/Aflo Images)
- It shows a person or people who have not given consent for their image to be used commercially. For example, in a photograph of a crowd, it is unlikely that the consent of each person was obtained.
General View, JULY 27, 2022 – Football / Soccer : EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2022 Final Japan Men’s match between Japan 3-0 South Korea at Toyota Stadium in Aichi, Japan. (Photo by SportsPressJP/Aflo Images)
- Anything trademarked is shown, such as a brand, product, logo or even a building (such as the Empire State Building).
Ecuador v Senegal 2022 FIFA World Cup, Pervis Estupinan 7 of Ecuador during the 2022 Fifa World Cup match between Ecuador and Senegal at Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar on 29 November 2022. (Photo by Aflo Images)
- The image was taken on private property, such as at a concert venue.
A large number of music fans enjoy a performance by an artist in the midst of vivid green nature (3:40 p.m., July 26, at Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa Town). at Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa Town at 3:40 p.m. on July 26. (Photo by Aflo Images)
What is a Commercial Image?
In contrast to an editorial image, a commercial image is used for advertising a product or service or to receive fees from a third-party sponsor. Commercial images can appear on billboards, websites, commercials and online advertisements. They can also be altered in order to suit specific uses, while editorial images cannot.
Japanese woman doing yoga. (Photo by Aflo Images)
In order to use a commercial image, you need to purchase a license under a commercial use agreement. There are two common types of licensing models in this category; Royalty-free (RF) and Rights-managed (RM). Royalty-free images are generally non-exclusive and can be used multiple times and for multiple different uses under the same license. Rights-managed images can be licensed for a one-time specific use. Any additional use needs to be licensed separately.
How are Editorial and Commercial Images Different?
In commercial stock photography, a “model release” or “property release” must be signed for every person or trademarked property that is recognizable in the photo. This release grants legal permission for the photo to portray the person or property for commercial benefit.
This is important because it protects the person’s right to privacy and respects the property owner’s ownership rights. As editorial images cannot be used for commercial gain, a model or property release does not need to be signed.
While commercial images can be used in an editorial way, it usually does not work the other way around. As a general rule, if an image is labeled as editorial, it is because it has not met the requirements to be sold for commercial use. For example, in a photograph of a crowded street, obtaining the necessary releases from each person in the image would be nearly impossible.
July 30, 2022, Tokyo, Japan – People dressed in yukata summer kimono dresses splash recycle water onto a ground along a street to cool down for a “uchimizu” event at the Ginza fashion district in Tokyo on Saturday, July 30, 2022. (Photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/Aflo Images)
Where Can I Buy Editorial Images?
Aflo Images offers a highly curated and diverse collection of editorial images, with a focus on Japan. There are over 20 million photos and videos available on our website, with new assets added every day and prices starting as low as $3. You can browse through our curated collections or use our search function to find something specific.
If you are not sure whether your intended use falls within the editorial or commercial category, purchasing a commercial license is recommended, because it allows images to be used for both commercial and editorial use.
Need More Information on Editorial Images?
If you have additional questions regarding editorial images, feel free to get in touch with our team via email at contact@afloimages.com. You can also check our EULA for more detailed information on editorial and commercial images, Royalty-free and Rights-managed and licensing in general.
References
- Editorial vs. Commercial Use of Photos | NYTLicensing
- Rights Managed & Royalty Free Images: The Differences | Kwik Kopy
- Editorial Use of Stock Photography – Stock Photo Guides
- What Is Editorial License or Editorial Usage of Stock Images? – PhotoBuyerGuide