iStock by Getty Images announces 100% Royalty Day on May 14 to celebrate its exclusive artists and the launch of subscriptions

-- 100% of sales on all  exclusive/only available from iStock content will go directly to iStock by Getty Images artists, many of whom are SMBs, in celebration of their contribution to iStock's unique and highest quality content and recent launch of subscriptions

., May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- iStock by Getty Images, the inventor of microstock and crowd sourced imagery for image licensing, is celebrating its exclusive artists, many of whom are small and medium-sized-business owners (SMBs).These partners of iStock have created millions of the highest quality stock images, design elements, video and audio tracks that are only available from iStock. This content provides iStock customers – of which over 2.5 million are SMBs – with the very best and unique content for their communications and projects.

This content is available a la carte on a single image basis through image packs, and, most recently, with the launch of new subscription offerings from iStock by Getty Images.

iStock by Getty Images is proud and grateful to declare May 14, 2014 as 100% Royalty Day. iStock will give 100% of the sales from cash and credit downloads of millions of exclusive photos, illustrations, vectors, video and audio tracks to the talented artists who create the unique, premium content that is only available from iStock.

"iStock grew out of the small business sector, and understanding the needs of SMBs and creatives is part of our DNA. More than 125,000 artists – SMB owners themselves – provide millions of SMB customers around the world with diverse, quality content, nearly half of which is exclusive to iStock," said Ellen Desmarais, General Manager of iStock by Getty Images.

"Our new subscription model provides an even simpler way to use iStock's one-of-a-kind content, making our vast collection of photos and illustrations more accessible to more customers than ever. Today we celebrate and thank those artists who have trusted us exclusively with their work and talent," Desmarais said. "With 100% Royalty Day, we are celebrating the SMBs in the iStock community – the photographers, illustrators and other artists – and our new subscription offerings that include their exclusive content."

iStock subscription plans, which bring greater flexibility and value to customers who regularly download a high volume of imagery, start at US$199 per month for 250 images, with no daily download limits. Under the iStock Signature subscription plan, customers have access to 99 percent of iStock's content, including the highly curated exclusive photos and illustrations that are only from iStock. On May 14, double royalties will be paid to artists on subscription-based downloads of exclusive content.

"Being an iStock contributor changed not only my life but also the way I see my work. I am in a place where I can let my imagination fly and still be my own SMB. It allows me to set my own goals and stay motivated as I work on what I love. I can always create and participate in an atmosphere of calmness and fun - that is what I think iStock has taught us all, " said iStock contributor Silvia Boratti.

In another move to reward exclusive artists, iStock has also launched a new affiliate program today. Contributors will receive a commission when they drive iStock customers to license any content, regardless of whether it's their own work.

About iStock by Getty Images
iStock by Getty Images is the web's original resource for crowd sourced royalty-free stock images, media and design elements, offering millions of hand-picked photos, illustrations, videos and audio tracks. A site "by creatives, for creatives," iStock started in 2000 as the pioneer micropayment photography site, freeing creatives everywhere to create beautiful communications on a budget. The site has become one of the most successful and profitable user-generated content sites in the world. iStock is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Getty Images.

About Getty Images
Getty Images is  the world's leading creator and distributor of  still imagery, video, music and multimedia products, as well as other forms of premium digital content, available through its trusted brands, including iStock® and Thinkstock®. With its advanced search and image recognition technology, Getty Images serves business customers in more than 100 countries and is the first place creative and media professionals turn to discover, purchase and manage images and other digital content. Its best-in-class photographers and imagery help customers produce inspiring work which appears every day in the world's most influential newspapers, magazines, advertising campaigns, films, television programs, books and online media. Visit Getty Images at www.gettyimages.com to learn more about how the company is advancing the unique role of digital media in communications and business, and enabling creative ideas to come to life.  For the stories behind our content and our technology, visit Getty Images InFocus at http://infocus.gettyimages.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gettyimages and Twitter at www.twitter.com/gettyimages.

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