Frequently asked questions

iStockphoto has a few collections with varying content and pricing to suit any project you’re working on. See all iStockphoto file prices.

Main collection: Contains affordable files from our non-Exclusive artists. With more than three million files, the main collection is where the majority of our media library lives.

Exclusive collection: Content from our Exclusive artists is only available here on iStockphoto and within the Getty Images family.
Exclusive photos and illustrations have this gold crown icon:
Exclusive video files have this black video icon:
Exclusive audio tracks have this blue sound bar icon:

Vetta collection: Home to peak creative prowess. iStock’s premium collection of unique, hand-picked files chosen for exquisite art direction, intelligent concepts and rarity. Vetta artists are also Exclusives, but Vetta files are chosen by a special panel of iStockphoto’s most experienced editors. Search Vetta collection.
Vetta photos have this orange camera icon:
Vetta illustrations have this orange pen tip icon:

Every browser handles downloading differently. If your browser does not prompt you to save your file automatically, you haven’t actually downloaded anything. Click ‘start download’ from the ‘file successfully downloaded’ pop-up window.

• Internet Explorer: typically lets you choose where to save a file. If you do not select a folder, it will default to the last place you saved a file.
• Firefox: saves files to your desktop unless set otherwise in the preferences.
• Safari: will generally send images to your downloads folder or your desktop. This can also be set in the preferences.

Buy Pay-as-you-go credit packages, iStock’s currency, whenever you need them. Here’s how much our Pay-as-you-go credit packages cost:

Credits	Price	Price Per Credit
12	$18.25	($1.52 USD/credit)
26	$39.00	($1.50 USD/credit)
50	$73.00	($1.46 USD/credit)
120	$170.00	($1.42 USD/credit)
300	$390.00	($1.30 USD/credit)
600	$690.00	($1.15 USD/credit)
1000	$1,075.00	($1.08 USD/credit)
1500	$1,550.00	($1.03 USD/credit)
2000	$1,900.00	($0.95 USD/credit)

You can download a free watermarked comp of any iStock photo, illustration, video or audio track, but Flash comps are not available. Comps cannot be used in your final product.
To download a comp:

1. Go to any file close-up page (except for Flash).


2. Click "Download a comp" link found under the image, video or audio track.

iStockphoto has millions of affordable, safe royalty-free files from 95 cents depending on size and collection. See all iStockphoto file prices.

Please contact Support with the file number and your concerns. We’ll refund your credits and re-evaluate the image.

To access member account information please follow these steps:

1. Login to www.istockphoto.com
2. On the top right toolbar click ‘Account’
3. Click on ‘Account Details’
4. Under the ‘Financials’ tab, then under ‘Purchases’, click ‘Get purchase receipts’
5. To see individual downloads look under the ‘Financials’ tab, ‘Your Pay-as-go-go plan’ or ‘Your Subscription’, then click ‘View Downloads’

Please contact Support with the file number and we’ll email the file to you or refund the credit back to your account.

If you experience download problems, please contact Support with the file number and we’ll email the file to you or refund your credits. Please note that you have 24 hours from the time of your initial download to re-download that image without being charged additional credits.

Pay-as-you-go credits expire 1 year from the date of purchase. We send out notifications 60, 30, 15 and 1 day(s) before they expire. If you find you are unable to use them within the year, please contact Support and one of our representatives will be more than happy to extend the expiry for you. With a Subscription, you subscribe to a daily supply of credits and you choose what that amount of credits is. Your credits expire daily. Your Subscription lasts as long as you choose: 3, 6 or 12 months.

iStockphoto works on a system of micro-payments, which allow you to purchase files in bulk using our currency called credits. Credits start at 95 cents and can be purchased in bulk as Pay-as-you-go credit packages or Subscriptions.

1. Buy credits: When you login, buy credits from our secure, SSL encrypted page. We accept credit cards, PayPal, check or money order (in USD funds). Read more about PayPal.


2. Search for files: Use the search bar in the top left corner to find what you need at iStock. From the search results page you can click on a thumbnail to go to its file close-up page where you can pick a size and add an Extended License if needed.
   
3. Advanced Search: Located in the top right corner under your mailbox, Advanced Search lets you search by price, collection, shape, color and CopySpace™. Read more search tips.


4. Download: Click "buy" on a file’s close-up page and the price in credits will be deducted from your account balance. You have 24 hours to re-download this file without being charged additional credits.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Paypal. We also accept payment in US funds only by either International Money Order or check drawn ONLY on a US or Canadian bank account. Please include an order form with your mailed payment. Our prices are in US dollars.

You have 24 hours from the time of your initial download to re-download the same image and size without having further credits deducted. After that time, if the file is re-downloaded, credits will be deducted from your account. We have this limit set for two reasons. First, it’s a way for us to keep our costs down and pass those savings onto you. Secondly, it’s an incentive for photographers to put their work on our site. If you have difficulty downloading a file and are over the 24-hour timeframe, please contact Support for assistance.

Once you find the image you’d like to download, click on the thumbnail and the file will open. Underneath the image we list the sizes available for that specific file. Select the size you require and click the corresponding ‘Download’ link. You will then be taken to our Content Licensing Agreement. Once you’ve read through it, click ‘Agree’ and the final download page will open. Click ‘Download’ and the download process will begin. Once you click this final download button, the credits will be deducted from your account. You have 24 hours to re-download this file without being charged additional credits.

You’ll need credits, iStock’s very own currency. Purchase credits through a plan and spend them whenever you download a file. We offer Pay-as-you-go credits, Subscriptions and Corporate Accounts.

Images on our site are contributed by individual photographers whose talent ranges from hobbyist to professional. Our goal is to provide customers with great photos that also fit within their budgets.

To re-download a file (within the 24 hour period) return to the file close-up page, you will see the file size you previously purchased is listed at 0 credits. The system recognizes the duplication and does not charge you any additional credits for the re-download.

Our images are provided by many photographers and the default resolution on files could be lower or higher than 300dpi. If you’re using Adobe® Photoshop®, go to ‘Image’ --- ‘Image Size’ and you’ll see that the resolution listed may be something other than 300dpi. Uncheck the ‘Resample image’ option and change the dpi of the file to the correct dpi. The height and width of the file will change in the document size window to reflect the change. Click ok and you’re done.