Getty Going Private as the Beleaguered Stock Photo Brand Files for Bankruptcy

Getty has announced that it has secured the necessary financing to take the company private. This comes after the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) suspended trading in its shares and started the process of delisting the company on September 29.

As ASMP notes, the storied stock photo company’s struggles started back in early September when Getty failed to make interest payments on two sets of notes, which were followed by a September 28 Bloomberg report that the company was in “confidential talks” with lenders about new financing that could possibly include a bankruptcy filing. The next day, the NYSE suspended trades in Getty’s stock.

The price of Getty’s stock had fallen to just under $0.05 per share at the time, and the last public data of the company’s worth shows it trading at just under $0.02 per share.

“The company says its business is operating as usual. As of this writing, Getty has announced no changes to contributor payments or agreements,” Thomas Maddrey of the ASMP wrote on October 5.

Today, Reuters reports that Getty has secured support from major creditors and investors to fund a “comprehensive restructuring” to cut its debt and take the company private. According to public releases, $533 million was secured from The Getty Family and Koch Equity Development. Once this restructure is completed, affiliates of the Getty family and Koch Equity Development will own 100% of the reorganized company.

This process will involve Getty filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and restructuring is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

“Getty Images is a unique and critical source of authentic imagery for its customers,” Mike Harris, Senior Managing Director and Co-Head, Koch Equity Development, says. “We remain confident in the company’s future and fully support this transaction alongside the Getty family. This equity investment will provide Getty Images with a firm financial foundation and greater flexibility to continue investing in its employees, customers, contributors, and future growth.”

Getty’s collapse comes after it tried to merge with rival Shutterstock back in January 2025 in a deal valued at $3.7 billion. The merger was approved in the United States, but ran afoul of the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority, which told both Getty Images and Shutterstock that its clearance of the merger would require that Shutterstock sell its editorial business. A U.K. watchdog raised concerns that the proposed merger would hurt competition. The merger fell apart soon after.

---

Image creditsHeader photo licensed via Depositphotos.com.