What is Retro Stock Photography?
Retro Stock Photography is a specialist photographic archive established over ten years ago. The collection contains thousands of original photographs taken between the 1950s and 1990s, covering more than 30 countries. We’re still in the process of scanning and cataloguing the archive, so not everything is online yet. The full collection is expected to be available by late-2026.
Is this the same content found on other stock photo websites?
No. Every image on Retro Stock Photography is completely exclusive to us. You won’t find AI-generated material, modern photographs mislabelled as “vintage,” or recycled public-domain content. All images are scanned directly from original negatives or slides that we own and store in our archive.
What makes your collection different?
Our focus is on everyday life and visible change. We specialise in city streets, cars, shopfronts, buildings, public spaces, shopping, holidays, and ordinary moments – scenes that were rarely photographed at the time, yet today offer a vivid and often surprising window into the past. We are deliberately selective and favour quality over quantity, choosing images with strong historical context rather than assembling large volumes of similar material.
We prioritise images that show how places were used and how they have changed, which is why you won’t find endless views of mountains or churches that look much the same today. You’ll also notice that people appear naturally within scenes rather than as posed portraits, reflecting everyday life rather than staged photography. When traditional landmarks do appear, it’s usually because something in the scene firmly dates them, such as period traffic, signage, or daily activity. Images from our archive have appeared in numerous publications including the Daily Mail and Evening Standard, and several are held by the Museum of London.
Are your images colour or black and white?
Most of the collection is in full colour, with a smaller selection of black-and-white photographs. All colour images are genuine originals – we do not colourise or artificially enhance them.
How can I find specific types of images?
Each photo is carefully tagged by location, era, and theme, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. For a more relaxed approach, you can browse through our country Index and discover new images along the way.
Do you add new content regularly?
Yes. This is an ongoing project and new images are added on a regular basis.
How much are your downloads?
All digital downloads are priced at $20 USD. For customers outside the United States, prices are automatically converted into local currency. Because exchange rates fluctuate, the amount shown may vary slightly from day to day.
Do you offer bulk discounts?
Yes. When you purchase five or more downloads in a single transaction, you’ll automatically receive a 15% discount on your entire order.
What do I receive when I purchase a digital download?
You’ll receive a JPG file, typically between 3000 and 4000 pixels on the longest side. Your download link appears immediately after checkout and is also sent by email. All downloads are supplied without watermarks.
What licence comes with a digital download?
Each purchase includes a royalty-free, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence. Images may be used for commercial, editorial, or personal projects. Full licensing details are available on our Downloads page.
Are the images retouched or edited?
Images are lightly cleaned to remove dust and minor imperfections, but we never alter the content or apply heavy retouching. Our aim is to preserve an honest, natural appearance that remains true to the original photograph. You are, of course, welcome to edit the images yourself after purchase and make any changes you need for your own project
Do you offer refunds?
Due to the digital nature of our products, we’re unable to offer refunds or exchanges on downloads. We encourage customers to review images carefully before purchasing. These are genuine vintage photographs and may show subtle imperfections consistent with their age.
Can I make physical prints from the digital file?
Yes. You’re free to make physical prints from your download for personal use or as gifts. Simply purchase the image, download the file instantly, and either print it yourself or send it to your preferred photo centre or online print service. This also makes our images easy to turn into prints that can be given as thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts.
The only restriction is that physical prints may not be resold.
Our images are also well suited to wall art for pubs, hotels, cafés, barbers, offices, B&Bs and holiday lets, particularly when displaying locations connected to the local area.
What are the usage restrictions?
You may not:
- Resell or license the image in any form, physical or digital
- Use the image in logos, trademarks, or branding
- Use the image in offensive, unlawful, or defamatory contexts
- Claim exclusive ownership of the image
Need help?
If you have any questions or need assistance with an order, please get in touch – we’re always happy to help.