I am creating a news-oriented site in which I will need to sometimes include current event photos into the stories; the photo would be from the original story I would be referencing and linking to. What stuck on how to get the rights to use photos on other than a situation-by-situation basis. I'd like to be able to pay a monthly fee to a service and use what I need. I read on AP's site that they will not license photos to "controversial" sites. Mine would be opinionated and making fun of the media in particular, so I doubt that will work. I know that I can get stock photo easily, but they are not usually current event-oriented. I see other sites are able to do it, so I'm wondering what I am missing. Any help is appreciated.
it will cost them some site bandwidths if you are linking to and using their images but most people will Ok with that if you don't use too much of their bandwidths, don't use those images if they are for sale, company/members use only, their sister/friend photos for example, ... If you use their images, I suggest that you upload that image on a freehost but not your own, not to link to it. Remember to give a source url and credit them if you use their images. Read their site user term/agreement.