Design Pics Inc., headquartered in Edmonton, Canada, has acquired
Alaska Stock, an Anchorage based photo agency, effective October 1, 2012. The agency was originally founded in 1990 by Jeff Schultz, who at the time was also a professional photographer. The agency soon became known as “the place” to find quality images of Alaska, and more specifically, Alaska-themed images such as adventure, wildlife, winter lifestyles, and recreation. Starting with just 15 photographers, the agency now has over 80,000 images in its collection, and represents over 150 photographers.
For over 30 years Jeff Schultz continues to be known as the official “Iditarod” photographer, and Alaska Stock has benefited greatly from the comprehensive group of images from this world class annual event.
Design Pics was founded by Rick Carlson in 2001. The company initially produced and distributed Royalty Free imagery through a worldwide network of marketing partners, and expanded into the Rights Managed marketplace with the Irish Image Collection in 2007, and Axiom Photographic in 2008 (specializing in unique travel imagery.) Acquisitions of First Light, a Canada-based generalist agency, and Pacific Stock, a Hawaii based agency specializing in Pacific Rim photography, took place in 2011. Design Pics also has three Rights Managed collections developed with its own contributing photographers.
Rick Carlson, President of Design Pics states that, “I pursued Alaska Stock because of the stunning photography that it offers and the fact that it complemented so well our earlier acquisitions of truly unique collections. In speaking with Alaska Stock photographers recently, many of them also have non-Alaska imagery that would be a wonderful fit with our other Rights Managed and Royalty Free collections. This in combination with the wonderful business reputation that Jeff Schultz has developed over the years made this a very compelling choice in growing the company.”
Jeff Schultz states, “I am very pleased and excited to have Alaska Stock acquired by someone like Rick Carlson and Design Pics which has such a robust and automated distribution system, as well as the integrity and honesty the stock photography business needs. I believe this acquisition will be wonderful for our clients, whereby they can now not only get the best images of Alaska, but also outstanding images from around the world, all from one company. Likewise, I believe our photographers will benefit greatly by the enhanced distribution of their images and their ability to have non-Alaska-specific images represented by one agency. I now look forward to becoming again what my first-love is…a photographer.”
As was the case with earlier acquisitions, Design Pics will be keeping the entire Alaska Stock staff to work with existing clients and photographers, and is delighted to have such quality and experienced individuals become members of the Design Pics’ team.