Updated April 15, 2013

I apologize in advance for the lengthiness, but I hope it answers (most) everything!

This is copied and pasted from my Terms of Use on my personal website.

Intro

I am super excited that I have a vast collection of stock photos to offer from the many adventures that I've been on throughout time, effort, and dedication. However, before purchasing, downloading, or using my stock imagery, you must read and agree to the terms of use. If you cannot agree to certain things that you are wanting to work against, then you really have no business using my imagery.  I may sound strict about a some things, but sometimes if you just contact me with legitimate details, I may easily give you permission. So don't be afraid to ask!

I originally provided a vast amount of free stock on this account for a little over 6 years, but I have since then been trying to direct traffic to my Night Fate Actions website. My main reason to provide stock imagery, was to have quality images to help struggling artists build their photo-manipulations, paintings, digital art, etc. so that later on the art pieces (that used my images to help complete it) would go into their portfolio and hopefully help them sell their artistic skills. I was once in that same situation and could not afford to pay for a stock license or anything, and relied on free stuff too. So out of respect, I will kindly offer images free of charge (and hope that you respect it in exchange by crediting your sources.) And my exclusive stock collections are there so that I don't sell myself short of the many things that I have to offer, plus the exclusive stocks are higher resolution.

Since my original intention about providing stock photos was to have them for individual artists who wanted to make a personal art piece for their portfolio, or to complete an artwork for a client after a photo shoot and other things that revolve along those lines, I don't have anything written up for the use of "advertisement." If you're a company or a group of people looking for an image for advertisement, then it would be a bit different because I don't have fancy licenses and prices set for that purpose, because that was not my original intention for these photos. So if that's the case, then you'll have to contact me about your intentions of using the image(s) so that we can work something out together.

My stock images are owned by me, the photographer, Julia Starr (Night Fate Photography / Night Fate Actions). Please consider and respect the time and effort I have put into everything. I am not a robotic stock provider. I have feelings and a passion to offer all I have. It is my pleasure to provide high quality images to make artistic differences for others, but it comes with some limitations/restrictions on your behalf.

It's obvious that I am not a stock company with fancy, expensive stock licenses; but the fact is that I am an individual being who has done so much to please other people and just hope that nobody abuses my hard work, otherwise it ruins it for everybody (which is why you may have noticed this account being inactive and empty for quite some time!) That being said, please read the "credit" section to get a little understanding as to why you should credit your sources.

By purchasing my stock or downloading it for free to any computer or any other device, it does not mean that you own the image(s). They are for sale for a legitimate reason, and freebies are free so that you can get a taste of what I have to offer in exclusive bundles.

The Rules and Guidelines

Never assume that the same rules apply to all stock imagery and resources. Just because a photo is labeled as 'stock' anywhere at anytime, does not mean the same rules are allowed as it may be on other images from other sites. The stock on DeviantArt is more of an independent thing, and rules vary, whereas there are actual stock websites that practically share the same rules on every image uploaded by its users. But there are some "rules" that are always going to be there by default, such as: 'do not steal, claim, or abuse the images as your own.' The rest of the rules are up to the provider.



My resources may not be downloaded with the intention of claiming them as your own "as is" or altered.

• Do not sell the images "as is" or with any slight color adjustments or texture
• Do not redistribute the images individually or with others (.psd files, .jpegs, .pngs, .c4d, etc.)
• Do not claim as your own
• Do not upload the original images anywhere else for download

Common Usages
Because I started out here on deviantART, I generally expect my images to be used as personal desktop backgrounds, photo-manipulations, photoshop action previews, paintings, drawing references, etc. And distributed wallpapers (if the image is altered enough so that it doesn't look like the original image that I shot).

You may use my images as backgrounds for your clients (basically where you blend them into the image. And you have my permission to provide that image to them).

Not Allowed unless you contact me personally with details
• Slightly edited with colors/textures to distribute as desktop/phone wallpapers/app backgrounds
• Premades (These are manipulated backgrounds/textures that are supposed to help save time for digital artists, but the misuse of "credit" ruined it for me. So I do not allow it. I apologize in advance, but don't ask because I just can't and don't allow it anymore.)

Commercial Usage
The following are allowed for you as an artist if the image is altered enough that it's not too close to the original image.
~CD Covers
~Book Covers
~Fliers
~Business card / Website templates

If the image is going to be slightly altered (but not too much) for a book cover or a CD cover, I would feel comfortable if I could be credited. But if it's really mixed with other images, I don't mind as much.

Credit

I don't want to sound picky. I want to sound "fair." But for that to work you have to be "fair" in return, otherwise you shouldn't use my stock at all. Whether you use my stocks that are currently available on my Night Fate Actions site, or if you use stock that is no longer available from my deviantART, it would be wise to credit because (A) if it weren't for the stock pics that are by me or others, then you wouldn't have created your art piece to help build your fan base or portfolio, and (B) it shows respect. If you do not credit, it's like literally saying that you are "using" or "taking advantage" of the stock provider and their photos to fulfill your personal needs. And (C) perhaps other artists want to use those pics for their artworks, if they're available.

If you're posting your artworks on different websites, at least give me credit somewhere if it's Facebook, Deviantart, Flickr, etc. If it's on your personal website where credits don't look so pretty in the description, then I personally don't mind since I can't really do that on my site either, so I provide full credits on the artwork when it's posted on my deviantART, Facebook, or Flickr. But the least you can do is somehow give the stock artists a little acknowledgement. If it weren't for them then you wouldn't had made that art piece, right? So give a little respect and credit when there is absolutely no reason as to why you cannot.

If you can type out a description and provide links to Your websites or Facebook page, then there is no logical reason as to why you cannot credit your sources on your Flickr, deviantArt, or Facebook, except that you don't feel that it's necessary, which honestly sounds lazy and inconsiderate. If people showed a little more trust and respect, then I'd personally upload more stock photos! A lot of stock artists have stopped providing stock because of this problem (including myself at time!), so don't add to it if you want good stock.

Another way to credit me via Facebook, is that you can just like my Night Fate Actions page, or Night Fate Photography page, and tag the your art piece that used my stock.

I also see many artists who blend a lot of images together in a way that you cannot recognize certain stocks that were used. But at the same time, I've noticed many artworks where my desert or sky was definitely recognizable. If my stock is one of the main parts of the pic that is still recognizable to my eyes, then I would appreciate credit.

I also understand that some uses may be difficult to provide credit, like on a Book/CD cover. I will just be happy that you let me know and showed me the final piece.

Which name/website do I credit?

When you do credit, please credit nightfateactions.com (you may also link to the stock pack/image as well, if desired). But if you download the stock image from this night-fate-stock account, you can credit ~night-fate-stock, but I want traffic to go toward my night fate actions site.


Offsite Uses
You may post your work anywhere you would like: flickr, tumblr, deviantart, Facebook, etc.

Tutorials
You may use my free stock images in a tutorial, but you cannot upload or distribute the original stock file(s). You must post a link to the original stock photo collection on my website where it can be downloaded. This helps me keep accurate tabs on downloads so I can see what people like the most. And the images are not yours to be uploaded anywhere else.

You may not use my purchased stock in tutorials with the intention of distributing the image. You may want to stick to the free images when making tutorials, unless you're expecting everybody to pay for the stock pack just for that one image.

Prints
You can make personal prints, but I do not allow prints if you are allowing people to buy my photo that you've slightly altered while it still looks very close to the original shot. (For example, taking one of my photos, applying color adjustments or a Photoshop action, and calling it your own image. That is never allowed.) Be really creative!

Purchasing Stock

By purchasing my stock, it doesn't mean that you are paying to own any of the images. You are simply paying a small contribution to support the time and effort that I have put into everything, as well as the quality and originality. The exclusive stocks are higher resolutions than the freebies.

The purchased stock may only be used by You (the purchaser). Please do not sell me short by distributing products that you've purchased.


If you still have questions or concerns about any of this, just drop me a note or send me an email.
juliamstarr@gmail.com

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