Does this mean that they can sell my images to anyone they like, even my competitors?
Does this mean that they can sell my images to anyone they like, even my competitors?
Secondly, the contract you have with the photographer will usually include an exclusivity clause, which guarantees that with the exception of the photographer (for promoting their own business) you have exclusive use of the images, even if they don't contain identifiable people, for period of time. During this period, if the photographer wishes to allow a third party to use the images, they must ask for your permission (and you are entitled to ask the photographer to pay you a fee for that permission).
If you are concerned that after the exclusivity clause expires (and the images do not contain either identifiable people or your own intellectual property and are therefore not protected this way) the photographer may allow one of your competitors to use the images, you should discuss this with the photographer as many will be happy to add a non-competition clause to ensure the images can never be used by your competitors.