What are the Pros and Con of Stock Photos? A Complete Guide
In the quest to design effective advertising materials, businesses often ask themselves: "Should I use good stock photography ?" When weighing up the pros and con of stock photography, there are positives and negatives to take into consideration.
Stock images: They have their advantages
1. Affordability
Stock images are a great way to get high quality, professionally-produced imagery at a lower cost than hiring a professional. It is a good option for those businesses who don’t have enough budget to develop content internally.
2. A wide variety of choices
Stock photo libraries have vast selections of photographs covering a wide range of subjects. The options for stock photos are limitless. From people to landscapes, from food to technology and everything in between.
3. Time-Saving
Stock photos can save you time because they don't require that you organize a photo shoot, screen candidates, sign a contract, or even schedule it. In just a few minutes, your entire marketing campaign can be ready with minimal effort.
4. Quality Assurance
Stock photo libraries collaborate with photographers who are experts in the art of producing high-quality photographs. You can download images that are well-lit, crisp, and focused.
5. Consistency
Stock photography is an effective way to create consistency for your branding and marketing campaigns. Stock photography allows you to choose photos that match your branding colors and messages, and maintain consistency in the style and visuals of your campaigns.
Use Stock Images to Your Advantage
1. Generic or Unpersonal
One of the main disadvantages to using images is that many of them are generic, and don't reflect your business' uniqueness. Since stock photos are available to anyone, they can make your materials appear generic.
2. Poor Quality
While high resolution stock photos can provide high-quality images, not all stock photographs have a professional feel. Some of the images available in stock libraries may be low-quality, which makes them inappropriate for professional marketing campaigns.
3. Overused
There's a good chance you've come across the same high res stock images being used in various websites, campaigns and media. You can make your campaign seem like a copy of another's by using these images with no customization. The audience will lose interest and may not take your message as seriously.
4. License restrictions
Stock photos come with specific license agreements. Certain photos have restrictions on usage. For example, they may not be used commercially. You may encounter legal problems if you use an image outside of the conditions stipulated in the license agreement.
5. Lack of Authenticity
There are questions about authenticity and integrity when don't represent reality. It is common to see "happy customer" photos holding unrelated products. The disconnect between the photos and your business's offerings can jar potential customers, especially those who are looking for authenticity.
How to Mitigate the Cons of Using Stock Photos
1. Selective
It is not necessary to use an existing stock image just because they are available. Instead, be selective and choose images that resonate with your brand and message. Choose less generic photos to avoid using them.
2. Photo Customization
Customizing the stock image is a great way to prevent overuse. You can add a new filter or crop the image. Or you can integrate it into an overall design.
3. Use authentic images
You can still use and create an authentic feel. Incorporating user-generated material in the form photos sent in by customers is one way to do this. This provides real-life examples of how your product or service fits into people's lives over stock photography.
4. Use Stock Photos and Originals Together
Stock photos are a great way to complement original photography. They can show examples of the services or products that your business offers. Use cheap stock photos to increase differentiation and fill gaps in your company's branding or image. Original photos can show what goes on behind the scenes.
5. Understanding the fine print
It is important that you and your team understand all the terms of the stock photo licenses. Ensure you understand any restrictions that may come with stock photo licensing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, has benefits and downsides. It's essential to weigh these pros and cons based on your needs as a business, budget, and desired effect. A balance must be met to create a cohesive and effective campaign that resonates with your target audience.
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