Photography Vs Stock Images

In a world of convenience it is easy to turn to Stock Photography and Image Banks to populate your website and marketing literature with images, but why do you want to look the same as everyone else?

Photography is everywhere, and if you have tried to use your own digital camera to take some professional looking shots then you will know that its not easy. The lighting is never right, the angles are off, the focal point of the image is never quite what you want... the list of issues can go on and on. This is usually when people turn to what they see as the cheaper option, and normally more convenient.. Stock Photography, but before you do think about hiring a professional to take those unique shots for you.

Photography

A professional photographer can be as an important part to a marketing project as the designer and the content. Yet a lot of people are quick to dismiss them as being expensive or extra work.

In fact using a professional photographer can be be a great advantage to getting one up on your competition and save hours of trawling through Stock sites looking for the perfect image. A professional photographer will understand your brief and help you decide on what you need, they will usually work hand in hand with the designer to get what is exactly right for your project.

The prices of stock photography might seem cheap, but once you've purchased all the images you will need, your final bill won't be that far off that of a decent photo shoot. Obviously if you are wanting models and props you may have to shell out a bit more, but don't forget you are then controlling exactly what you get.

Choosing your photographer may seem a hard job, there are loads out there, but in fact the internet has made your life easier, as all good photographers will have loads of images on their websites for you see how good they are, and usually they will have a good well designed site to go with it. Look for good composition, and a style that will suit your style. Discuss your choice with your designer, or see if they have someone they can recommend, as hey have probably worked with a few photographers before.

The down side to Stock Images

You have to remember that stock images are available to everyone, and that your competitors probably are using the same sites as you, so don't jump in and buy the first images you see. Make sure the image suits the job perfectly and that it hasn't been bought by your rivals.

Stock images are usually taken to be generic, and fit multiple functions, which is why the internet is full of sites smiling at you with pearly white teeth and cheesy poses. It has become very much a world of 'men shaking hands while looking business like', 'construction workers with blue prints discussing the project', woman in white coat staring at a test tube'... everything looks the same.

Stock images do have there place, but it shouldn't be on a professional website or in a business's marketing literature and brochures. A company should strive to stand away from the crowd and even more so from it competitors. Its important to understand what to use and when, and your designer will be able to give you the best advice on what to use and when.

Related Links

Paul Underhill Photography Ltd - high quality photography
Evanto - Illustration and Artwork
iStock Photography and Artwork
stock.xchng - the leading free stock photography site