Traditional stock‑photo agencies (Shutterstock, Getty Images, Adobe Stock) have long dominated the market for high‑quality imagery, but their pricing models often put them out of reach for younger creators who lack a budget. In response, a wave of “free‑stock” platforms emerged in the early 2010s—Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay—offering images under permissive licenses.

Maya smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest. She thanked Lira, and the studio dissolved around her, returning her to the bustling entrance of Mega‑World. The gate was gone, but in her hand she still held the glowing holo‑photo, pulsing gently.