Company Info

About Masterfile

Masterfile is a Stock Image Agency/Library

We acquire, organize, distribute and license images for commercial use in media ranging from print advertising to websites - a growing world market exceeding $2 billion. Our images are acquired under exclusive contract from professional photographers and illustrators who are paid a royalty every time an image is licensed.

The collections on our website are very tightly edited for discerning buyers. Our clients include advertising agencies, designers, publishers, multimedia producers and corporations throughout the world.

How Clients License Images

Clients acquire images from Masterfile either through this website or by calling or e-mailing us and using our free custom research. High-resolution images can be downloaded from this website in minutes.

Learn more about our collections.

We and our licensors retain ownership of all the images (on behalf of the respective artists). Images are licensed, not sold outright.

Information about pricing

North American clients deal with staff at our headquarters in Toronto. International clients are serviced by Masterfile's offices in France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom plus independent agents in 35 other countries.

Information for International clients

Company History

Masterfile is privately owned. The precursor business to Masterfile was started by the company's president (Steve Pigeon) under corporate owners in 1973. Masterfile was formed in 1981 and was acquired from its corporate owners in a management-led buyout in 1984. Today Masterfile is one of the largest independent stock image companies in the world, among more than a thousand competitors.

Updated: 2005-12-09