Finding Good Stock Photos

One of my clients is having issues with their photography. They have been using original photos of groups of people, not stock photos. But their own photos look too posed and aren't inspiring, lack emotion, and just aren't capturing the audience's attention they way they want.

To find a solution they looked for stock photos that could fix these problems. They found that most "looked too much like stock photos." Their budget is small, so they feel stuck. It has been too time consuming for them to sift through all the "junk" photos to find the gems they need at a low cost, and after all that, they still don't have anything. When they talked more about it, Dezign Lizard came up as a possible resource to help solve the problem.

We started with a phone call on the premise that it may be a graphic design job. However, it was clear that they're still in the beginning stages of figuring out what they need. They're not graphic designers, but they're still creative people. So I gave them this suggestion: begin with words. What emotions, ideas, and results will these future photos convey? For which specific projects will they be used?

As they get further along and this turns into a graphic design project at the budget my client finds affordable, I'll be able to employ some of my favorite tips for finding good stock photos that elevate the brand and integrate well into marketing messages. When I look for stock photos, I like:

• uncluttered backgrounds

• not too many colors unless it will enhance, not distract from, the overall design

• no all-white backgrounds unless I'm using the photo in a collage

• a main subject that has an emotional connection with the viewer

• accurate content but not at the expense of the previous bullet

• a composition that works for the design goals

• other things like diversity, compelling angles, good lighting, and authentic interactions

It's also important in most cases to show the viewer the solution, not the problem. For example, a brochure for parents about a childhood disease would show happy, healthy children rather than sick children or lab test images. The boxing girl in this blog photo could be used in messages about helping kids stay active or empowering girls. Viewers need to see where they're going or see someone they can aspire to be. Take look at all the retail emails in your inbox over the next week and note the photography. You'll see these points in action more often than not.

A search on Adobe Stock for "confident child" yielded this in the low-cost category. It satisfies most of the requirements of a "good stock photo."