Crowd-sourced stock photo service Scoopshot has received $1.2m (£0.8m) funding from Yuri Arcurs, the world’s top selling stock photographer.

Scoopshot says it will use the funding to accelerate its international growth, with a focus on the UK, US and German markets.

“There are three major changes happening which have created a perfect storm for us,” Scoopshot CEO Niko Ruokosuo told Mobile Marketing. “First, brands need for unique content; secondly, the willingness of audiences to participate; and finally, the advance of technology – whether its high-quality mobile cameras, or increased bandwidth – which makes it possible.”

The services primary function is as an alternative source of stock images, with clients able to set location-based assignments for Scoopshots 300,000-strong userbase of photographers. The images submitted by users can be bought for $5 each – a pricepoint that is apparently temporary while Shutterstock establishes its name.

However, it can also be used by brands as a form of market research – to see how their products are being used in the wild – or as an engagement tool, as Fiat recently did with an assignment which asked people to take photo of a Fiat 500 on the street.

“It had people all around the world going out looking for their car,” said Ruokosou. “Tell me one commercial that has that effect, what kind of mind-boggling TV ad will make people do that.”