5 Problems with using stock photos and how to solve them - tips for using stock photos successfully

I don't usually recommend using stock photos instead of taking your own photos - see the previous blog 5 Reasons to take your own brand stock photos!  But occasionally there might be something you need a photo of that is hard to do by yourself, or too complicated, or too expensive to get set up right.  In which case it may well be easier and simpler to find or buy a photo that someone else has already taken.  Just watch out for these issues...

Firstly, what exactly are stock photos?

Stock photos are photos that other people have taken and then give permission, or licence, anyone else to use them commercially / in their business.  They can be free or paid for.  Stock photo sites exist with archives of thousands of photos for you to search and choose the ones you want to use (find a helpful list at the end of this blog).

You can use them on your website, in your socials, in any marketing you do (if you have permission, see issue number 1!).

NB. You can also take your own brand stock photos, and I teach you how to do that in my course From Basic To Brilliant.  And when you have a branding shoot with me (and probably with someone else!) you can get some brand stock photos taken as part of that. 

5 Problems with using stock photos and how to solve them #1: Copyright & Permissions

You need to make sure you have the right permission to use any photos that you didn't take yourself.   Use a proper stock photo company, and double check the permissions or rights to use the photo you want.  You're looking for royalty-free images, that give you the rights to use the photo (although you won't have the copyright, and others can use the photo too - you don't need to own the copyright if you have permission to use it).

Definitely don't copy or screenshot or otherwise take and use any random photo you see online (the copyright belongs to the photographer, or their employer, or anyone they may have given or sold it to).  The copyright holder/photographer can also licence their images to other companies or people to be used - stock photo companies should have paid or agreed with the photographer for the licence to use their images in this way.  (You could be asked to take an image down, sent an invoice, or even a lawsuit for using a photo without permission).

The stock sites should have checked that the photographer had permission (model releases) from any people appearing in the stock photos, and that they haven't photographed any private property (including some landmarks), or trademarked products - but watch out for any photos that do contain these.

You probably won't have to credit the photographer of a stock photo, but check the licence agreement details in case you do, and it is more ethical to do so anyway if you can.

5 Problems with using stock photos and how to solve them #2: They're everywhere!

Have you noticed the same photos turning up all the time on people's websites or socials?  It's because they've used stock images and haven't searched very hard for something more unusual!

So take your time when searching stock sites for a photo, scroll down beyond the first images that come up, and choose something a bit different.  You need to make sure that your photos stand out for the right reasons! 

You could even use a stock site that is paid for rather than free, to reduce the instances of other people using the same image.

5 Problems with using stock photos and how to solve them #3: Photos not matching your branding

Stock photos can add to your brand awareness, professionalism, personality, trust and more - if they go with all your other photos and the overall look and feel of your brand and branding - but they won't if they don't!

So make sure you search using your brand colours and style, and only pick stock photos that will go with everything else you already have, and ensure that lovely consistent and cohesive look you want your business to have.

5 Problems with using stock photos and how to solve them #4: Photos not matching your brand

Also think about your brand as a whole when choosing stock photos.  Bear in mind your values and your ideal clients/customers and the impression you want your business to be giving to people.

Choose photos that don't go against what you and your brand stand for. 

Reflect your ideal clients/customers in stock photos rather than choosing what may be prettier, younger, less diverse people etc.   

Remember stock photos as well as your own photos need to appeal to your ideal clients/customers, not put them off or make them think your business is not for them (it can definitely do that to people who aren't your right people though!).

5 Problems with using stock photos and how to solve them #5: Photos not being high quality

The photos you pick to use need to look good.  So pick high quality ones that aren't blurry or pixelated when you use them, that have been well photographed and well lit, that aren't out of focus, that capture the subject or theme you are looking for. 

High quality photos will look much better than poorer ones, and won't detract from your brand.

Finally, where can you find stock photos?

Have a look at these sites:

- You probably use Canva already - it has a lot of photos to choose from now, more if you pay or have the Pro version

- Unsplash is a popular free stock site

- Pixabay is another popular free stock site

- Pexels is a free site of photos from around the world

- Adobe Stock has both free and paid collections on its site

- Shutterstock is a paid site

- iStock is a paid site

- And then there's photographers too, many sell their own photos directly themselves as stock images.  I don't do this through a specific page on my website as yet, but I do have a whole lot of landscape and flower photos that I occasionally licence business owners to use on their websites - let me know if you're interested in knowing more.

- There are also specific businesses that have memberships for stock images.  For example you pay monthly, and get a certain number of images to use each month.  If their style and subject matter suit you and your brand, this could be a good way to get a steady supply of new images.  One in particular that I've come across is Beach Babe Stock. run by photographer Cherry - you can grab some free images, buy bundles, or join one of the memberships.

Oh and finally, there's also AI images now, that you could have a lot of fun with!  More and more companies and apps will be available to allow you to do this.  Even Canva will do it now!

After all that, would you rather take your own good looking, professional and on-brand stock photos? 

Then get yourself onto my evergreen photography course, From Basic To Brilliant (and On-Brand!), and I will teach you all about how to take fabulous photos, and how to get your brand into them too.

Basic to Brilliant is my online photography course for business owners, helping you take better, beautiful and on-brand photos for your social media and other content online.  All just on your smartphone, no fancy camera needed!  All can be done at home too. 

Here's that link again to find out more and sign up: From Basic To Brilliant (and On-Brand!)

Next Steps:

- Learn to take your own beautiful, brilliant and on-brand photos of your business, from products to stock images to behind the scenes: find out more and sign up to my self study photography course for business owners: From Basic To Brilliant.  

- Ready for more personal mentoring, brand, visibility and marketing strategies that work for you, a community of fellow ambitious introverts, training, and accountability to put it all into action?  Come and join my Brand Plan membership, and get support to show up, stand out, and sell more🤩

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Blog topics / categories: 

#All things brand

#All About Branding Photos