The giants of stock photography are discussing a potential merger which will obviously have a direct impact on stock contributors’ livelihoods. This is according to a Reuters article published just a few hours ago, details below:
“Jan 3 (Reuters) – Getty Images Holdings (GETY.N), opens new tab is exploring a merger with its rival Shutterstock (SSTK.N), opens new tab, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter, sending the stock of both image licensing companies up in afternoon trading.
Getty’s shares were up 20.3% in afternoon trading, while shares of Shutterstock were up 7.7%.
The development comes at a time when Getty Images has struggled to retain customers and replace the lost customers. Its creative and editorial products, two of its largest revenue segments, declined year-over-year in 2023, according to its annual report.
The decline in the popularity of stock image websites has coincided with the rise of AI tools like Midjourney and DALL-E 2, which can generate unique images quickly and cheaply.
Seattle, Washington-based Getty is considering how to structure a deal that would unite two of the biggest U.S. providers of licensed visual content, the report said”
Other publications have picked up on this breaking news:
Press Release in full
They just couldn’t help themselves with the “Exciting”.
Industry Consolidations
The potential Getty-Shutterstock merger would join a growing list of high-profile industry consolidations over the years:
| Year | Event | Aim |
| 2006 | Getty acquired iStockphoto for $50M and later on that year Corbis | The acquisition underscores the growing importance of social media and places Getty Images at the forefront of the explosive growth of the imagery industry’s value segment |
| 2009 | Getty acquired Jupiter Images (and thus StockXpert) for $96M | Increase Getty’s offer related to event and archive photography |
| 2009 | Shutterstock acquired BigStock | Enabled Shutterstock to better satisfy the diverse payment preferences of stock photo buyers worldwide |
| 2014 | Adobe acquired Fotolia for $800M | Integrate the service into Adobe’s Creative Cloud and make it easier for Creative Cloud members to use (and purchase) the over 34 million images and videos in the company’s portfolio |
| 2016 | Visual China Group acquired Corbis; Getty distributed rights outside China | Existing Getty Images collection of almost 200 million images expanded to include Corbis Images content, creating an unprecedented collection of images, videos and historic archival content for creative and editorial use worldwide – source |
| 2020 | PA Media Group acquired Alamy | Diversify its business and consolidate its position as the UK’s leading provider of cross-platform news, sport and entertainment data, content and services |
| 2021 | Getty Images acquired Unsplash | Getty to tap into Unsplash’s vast user base and community-driven content model |
| 2022 | Shutterstock acquired Pond5 for $210M | Expanded video content offerings. See the interview between Emeric Le Bars and Tom Crary, CEO of Pond |
| 2024 | Shutterstock acquired Envato for $372M | Shutterstock more than doubled its subscriber count through Envato’s customer base, which jumped by 650,000 to 1.15 million |
Further resources – Stock Agency Acquisitions.
Contributor Perspectives
The news of a potential merger has sparked widespread discussion among stock photographers and contributors. An active thread on the Microstock Group Forum, initiated by veteran photographer Jo Ann Snover, has garnered fascinating insights from the community. The iStock community forum is also buzzing with speculation and reactions.
As contributors, many are pondering the potential implications of such a merger on their businesses. While the business and legal intricacies of mergers are complex, contributors are particularly interested in whether this consolidation would result in better opportunities and higher royalties. Or perhaps a final nail in the coffin of the industry as contributor royalties crash to increasingly unsustainable levels.
Broader Implications for the Industry
If the merger goes through, it would position Adobe Stock as one of the last remaining major standalone agencies. This raises questions about how Adobe might respond to a potentially strengthened Getty-Shutterstock alliance. Industry observers will be watching closely to see if Adobe takes steps to reinforce its market position in the wake of this development.
Share Your Thoughts
Ultimately, contributors in the stock image industry are eager to understand whether this merger would be a net positive or negative for their livelihoods. To gauge sentiment, a community vote might provide valuable insight. Also feel free to comment below on how you feel this may pan out for your business.
Stay Updated
As details about this potential merger continue to emerge, stay tuned for updates.
Meanwhile, a reminder to seasoned contributors: my early-January invitation to publish earnings reports as guest posts is still open but months are quickly been filled up. Submit your reports soon for a chance to earn $100, plus the opportunity to win an additional $100 for the best post of the year.
This is a dynamic time for the industry and your perspectives are crucial. Let’s navigate this evolving landscape together.
Until next time!
About Alex
I’m a bit of an eccentric, based in Lisbon, Portugal, and on a mission to explore every corner of the globe. Along the way, I’ve been capturing stock images and footage, dedicating the last ten years to building a career as a travel photographer, videographer, and freelance writer. My goal? To inspire others by sharing unique insights into this fascinating industry—while calling out scammers when necessary.
I’m proud to have written a book about my adventures which includes tips on making it as a stock travel photographer – Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock Photography
Alexandre Rotenberg's Brutally Honest Guide to Stock Photography & Footage 