elementfortytwo

Why Stock Photography is Sleazy

One of the best ways of making your website look generic is through the use of bad stock photography. Don’t get us wrong, iStock can be a great resource for affordable and high quality images, but website owners need to be very careful about the images they choose. Stock photography is generic by nature, and whenever possible custom imagery is a better solution.

Enough Smiling Faces

People have become tired of seeing cliche images of happy families and business men shaking hands. It’s something that works well with direct mailers – but websites require a little more thought than that. The use of bad stock photography can make a site feel dishonest and plastic, something that savvy internet users find disagreeable. Websites are different than any other form of advertising. It puts the user in control, and if the user does not enjoy the experience or content that your website offers they can simply navigate away.

All Things Being Equal

All stock photography is not made equally. For example, business stock photography has become so cliche that it should almost never be used. And in general, any stock photography of people needs to be used with caution. Many users have become numb and cynical of obvious stock photography, and in the worst situations it can bring the authenticity of your organization or product into question. There are also a huge array of legal issues that need consideration before using stock photography. For example, in iStock’s license agreement, they explicitly forbid the use of stock photography that implies models are endorsing a product.

Everything in Moderation

So when is stock photography acceptable? It all depends on the project, but images of objects and nature are much easier to use without giving your website a ‘plastic’ feel. Stock photography can also be modified and enhanced by a graphic designer to be more original and relevant for your cause. Most importantly, if you’re going to use it, do it in moderation. Plastering your site with generic images is not going to sell your products.

Custom Does Not Mean Expensive

Despite what the average person thinks, custom photography does not necessarily have to be expensive. There are many consumer level cameras that can take great photos, even on their basic automatic mode. There are also countless amateur photographers who are always looking to expand their portfolio and can offer their semi-professional services at great rates. You can find these people all over craigslist, at universities and collages, and probably in your circle of family and friends. Having a great image of your location – with real people enjoying themselves is a much classier way of showing off your quality. Your organization will be more believable and your reputation will benefit.