It only makes sense that there would be an online method to deliver images over the Internet. The real leap comes when you have to pay for it too!

Purchasing images from a reputable commercial image vendor eliminates any problems of possibly obtaining images illegally. You will be paying for the right to use these images for your own purposes.

There are lots of companies online that allow you to purchase images, either clip art or professional photography.

Before purchasing any clip art individually or in a package, please be sure that the clip art may, indeed, be used commercially in the project you will use it for.

Look carefully around the main web page of the vendor of the image and look for the terms of use or licensing information. If the license (terms of usage) is not clear to you, then email for more information before buying the clip art or photo.

iStockphoto® - a collection of member-generated royalty-free images. There are no subscription fees or extra costs. Just stock photography, vector illustrations, and Flash files online, available in a large range of sizes and prices. Pay for them online . Free membership with registration. (Minimum purchase - $12)

Shutterstock® - a subscription-based stock photo agency. A large collection of royalty-free images, with photographs, videos, illustrations, and vector graphics. Sign up for a subscription plan and download up to 25 images per day, 750 for a month - minimum plan - $159.

StockXPert® is similar to iStockphoto in that you purchase royalty-free images online and pay for them using "credits". The higher the resolution of the image, the more credits it costs. Images start from as low as $1 and go to as high as $10. There is a $5 minimum purchase.