Why I’m launching a new stock image library in the AI era

(Originally posted 22nd May ’25)

AI image generators have been decimating the stock image ecosystem over the past few years, so why am I stoked to be launching a brand-new image library in 2025?

Since 2022, share prices for major image libraries have nosedived. Tools like DALL·E and Midjourney make it fast and cheap to create convincing visuals to spec.

This makes AI a tempting shortcut for agencies under pressure to slash image licensing budgets, but it comes at a cost to real image creators and the integrity of visual storytelling.

It’s the elephant in the room when I talk about launching AgriPix, a library dedicated to capturing the heart of Aussie agriculture and rural life.

So why am I like a kid on Christmas morning, throwing a modestly significant chunk of money at this?

Simple: because future-proofing agriculture is critical.

Real progress in farming: better yields, smarter water use, sustainable soil practices, fewer chemicals, lower emissions, and so on.

The authenticity of images showcasing farming practices must be captured by real people, documenting real moments.

And so is showcasing images that capture the story of people and places in this great country of ours.

Authentic images play a powerful role in documenting that journey for use across the ag marketing, agronomy and education sectors. Why entrust that responsibility to AI?

AgriPix is also about supporting rural and regional photographers and their communities, whether they’re pros, farmers with a decent camera, or students honing their camera skills and learning about ag.

The two images I included are a case-in-point. Spot the differences?

[Images: comparison of an AI generated image against an actual photo showing harvest-ready cane growing adjacent to a 9-month old 2nd year ratoon crop (on the left]

That’s all for now. I’ll be discussing all this further, in a longer format.