Thank you for a good article Matthew. I began boycotting stock photography sites after my experience with Getty Images. I take all of my own photography for my blog, websites, and printed materials. I do the same with clipart, drawing my own or acquiring it from
openclipart.org. I just wanted to add a few comments about my experience trying to hire "pro" photographers.
I design clothing and I attempted to find a new "pro" photographer. In exchange for a discounted rate, the photographer would get to keep the clothing and have their name and web address plastered all over the photography. I had no problem with them keeping the sample clothing in exchange for a discount rate because I wouldn't have been able to sell it after it had been worn. I didn't like the terms requiring their copyright notice and web address on the photos as I intended to use the photographs on my own e-commerce site. I think it would lead to brand confusion. Who was really selling the clothing? Other recently turned "pro" photographers were demanding the same kind of deal. Perhaps I was looking in the wrong places for photographers, but I found the requests unprofessional for a "work for hire" situation. I have returned to taking my own photographs.
There is a battle forming over the use of photographs and I think everyone will lose if common sense isn't allowed. The same thing is starting up with the recent Fashion Anti-Piracy/Copyright Law (in committee). While this issue is a discussion for another place and time, it will force fashion/apparel designers and retailers to experience the same headaches that creators and consumers are currently facing with photography.