
#STOCK PHOTO SENSE HOW TO#
Just because you know how to right-click and save an image doesn’t mean you’re allowed to. That’s why I want you to read this section in your best “mom voice,” because that’s how I’m writing it. Getting a legal notice from the owner of an image you’ve used without permission - and having to pay thousands of dollars in legal fees due to your carelessness. Read this next section with your best “mom voice” When comparing two photo results, avoid the visually busy ones and choose the simplest possible version.

… Look for a photo that conveys the same basic concept but with imagery that’s simple and direct: Rather than choosing a visually complex photo, like this, to show how working from a coffee shop is an option for online business owners : That’s why it’s important to start with a visually simple photo of the concept or emotion you want to express. We combine fonts, colors, and photos when creating visual marketing, and the final product can be multilayered and complex. Once you know what concept you want to communicate, get choosy about your search results and aim for simplicity. Or you could show the feeling of security using a relatable photo of a person (or even an animal) with facial expressions and body language that show what security feels like:
#STOCK PHOTO SENSE MOVIE#
Avoid images where the situation seems unreal or like it’s happening on a movie set.Avoid images where the facial expressions look orchestrated.Avoid images where the models are retouched and “perfect.”.

Which of the images below works to illustrate a piece of content about healthy attitudes toward food? I’m all for flawless examples of humanity.įor better or worse, we aren’t surprised to see perfection in our movie stars, musical artists, fashion models, and social media influencers.īut when it comes to finding a stock photo to illustrate your authoritative piece of content, relatable always wins.

It demonstrates that your business is run by humans, for humans.īut visual content will only build trust and communicate your voice if you stay away from images that work against you. Visual content marketing builds trust and authority. Visual content marketing does these things too. It shows prospects and customers that there’s a relatable human being behind the company they’re engaging with. How about you? Finding the right image is a lot of work: Why bother?Ĭontent marketing is how we build trust and authority. “Articles with relevant images get 94 percent more views, on average, compared to articles without images.” “Images are powerful on their own, but when mixed with text they become even more impactful.” This article shares four tips for avoiding those “stock photo landmines” that end up working against you rather than for you.Īccording to a study by MDG Advertising : Stock photos are a lifesaver - they help you use powerful visual marketing to connect with your readers.Īnd stock photos are a minefield - the wrong image can cause you to lose credibility, attention, and trust. Yes - and if you’ve spent any time searching for the perfect image on a stock photo website, you know it’s true. Is it possible for something to be both a lifesaver and a minefield?
