The do’s and don’ts of stock photography
You already know that using your own images is the best way to visually portray your brand. But there are still times when you simply don’t have the photo you need.
Then, you’ll need to head to a stock photography website to find the right image. Take a deep breath, though. Stock photography has come a long way. And with the right tips, you can find some dazzling images to market your business. And gasp! If you do it the correct way, your customers may not even know it’s a stock photo!
Simply follow these do’s and don’ts of stock photography when selecting images, and you’ll be good to go.
Stock photography don’ts
It’s best to avoid these three types of stock photos.
• Photos of people looking directly into the camera. These pictures look
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Researchers at Georgia Tech and Yahoo Labs research found photos with faces are 38% more likely to receive likes and 32% more likely to receive comments. When the models are doing an activity, they sell it better.
• Photos of obviously fake scenarios. When was the last time you saw an adult using a piggy bank or planting a tree in a jar of money? These images represent literal concepts, like saving or growing your investment. But the result is often hokey. If the stock photo is of something you wouldn’t see in real life, keep looking. o Instead, go for the big picture. Think about the emotion behind the concept you’re portraying, and try to find an image that captures its essence. That’s what people will respond to. Or if you really want to stick with the literal, again, opt for action shots that could happen.
• Illustrated photos of digital or abstract concepts. You’ve seen images like these everywhere. While the images may include the word you’re writing about, they don’t capture the feeling or experience behind it. Plus, they’re ubiquitous, which means people are tired of them, and they don’t visually differentiate your