Photo Licensing & Commercial Usage

All commercial usage and licensing starts at a $500 USD minimum.

Commercial use regarding the use of images online or offline is very broadly defined. The determination of commercial or non-commercial use is based on the contextual use of the image.

The determination is NOT based on the tax-filing status of the entity using the image, nor on whether or not a financial transaction takes place.

Commercial use of my images is allowed only if expressly granted by Adam Thompson. All commercial uses will incur a licensing fee. My fees are based on the following criteria:

  • Media – Whether the image is used for print, web, television, social media, etc.

  • Distribution size – The number of copies printed, the size of the viewing audience, and exposure (regional, national, international).

  • Length of use – 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, etc.

  • Prominence of display – 1/4 page, 1/2 page, full page, spread, front cover, back cover, billboard, home page, interior page, etc.

Examples of Usage that Require a Commercial License

The following are examples of use cases that require a commercial license:

  • A marketing campaign for a commercial entity. Examples include, but are not limited to, social media and Google AdWords.

  • A fund-raising campaign for a not-for-profit entity.

  • A video on social media, including YouTube, or any other advertising or profit-generating platform.

  • A background image for a website that has some form of revenue stream.

  • A website containing ads or products of any kind.

  • Social media posts driving traffic (with the use of my images) to revenue-generating websites of any kind.

  • A license to create an individual print for use in a private home.

  • Social media post(s) containing my photos and links to any revenue-generating website.

  • Blog posts containing my photos and revenue-generating ads on the same website.