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<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWe also asked how effective stock images are for brands, and got some interesting answers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 meaning least effective and 10 meaning most effective), our respondents say stock images stand at 5.76 for communicating what a brand stands for. In contrast, original images got a whopping 9.33 out of 10 for effectively communicating what a brand stands for.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n On the same scale, stock images get a score of only 5.47 when it comes to convincing someone to make a purchase. Original images, on the other hand, get an 8.98.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So are stock images worth the time it takes to find them? Our contributors give stock photos 7.33 on this.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Along the same line, are original photos worth the effort considering the time investment it takes to create them? Yes, as respondents give them a 8.38 out of 10.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Now, let\u2019s talk about the cost. Contributors give stock images 7.28 out of 10 in terms of the monetary investment. Original images, on the flip side, get a 8.42 out of 10 for their monetary investment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n With that, let\u2019s compare the two image types.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Most of the respondents we talked to say original images are better than stock images for several reasons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Even so, stock images come with their benefits, however limited they may be. They\u2019re a good alternative for times when you\u2019re squeezed for time or don’t have the resources.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Let\u2019s start by looking at the pros and cons of using stock images:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In this section, let\u2019s look at some perks of using stock images.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Often, you can get free stock images from sources like Pixabay<\/a>, Unsplash<\/a>, or DepositPhotos<\/a>. Visuals from sources like these are royalty-free, so you won’t have to deal with copyright issues.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You can also access paid image sources. Although these come with a small cost, they’re less time-consuming (in terms of finding the right picture) as compared with free image sources, as Tihana Drumev from Best Response Media<\/a>\u00a0points out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cUsing paid stock images, from sources such as Shutterstock, is way quicker. The paid subscription cuts the time for the search, and you can stick to the same style of images,\u201d Drumev explains.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Alex Williams of Turbo Gadget Reviews<\/a> also thinks the biggest advantage of using stock images is their budget-friendliness. \u201cWhen your website is relatively new, or when you\u2019re not bringing in enough revenue to justify the cost of hiring someone to take original photos, stock photos are the most cost-effective option until you can scale up to affording original photos.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThe biggest advantage of stock photos is their easy availability,\u201d notes Physicians Thrive\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0Hamna Amjad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cWhen you are short on time, you can simply download the relevant image from the stock photo repositories. All you have to do is search for the right image. The images come with both low- and high-resolution versions, so mostly you don\u2019t even have to edit them.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Put another way, when you\u2019re pressed for time, a stock image can help since you don\u2019t have to wait on the photographer, work out the ideal shot, and so on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As Will Ward from TranslationEquipmentHQ<\/a>\u00a0puts it: \u201cThe biggest advantage of stock images is that they are easy to find and quick to use, as opposed to original images, which take a lot more thought and setup.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Stock images are a quick and easy source to elevate your brand. In contrast to having no images at all, these free image sources serve as hooks that attract and engage site visitors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Bernice Quek from Progress ABMS<\/a> talks about this perk of using stock images. \u201cStock images are ready-to-use images which you can easily incorporate into your website. They provide convenience and allow brands to elevate their website landing pages and articles. Images are crucial for conveying your intended messages while beautifying your pages to attract readers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In addition to their pocket-friendly pricing, ease of use, and easy availability, stock content is also typically of a premium quality.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Fix The Photo\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0Kate Gross observes, \u201cStock images are beautifully captured with optimized lights, resolution, and other editing effects.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Again, this makes them a good option for your website\u2019s visual content as compared with pictures taken by an inexperienced person.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This one\u2019s a point that Sarah Stromsdorfer from My OT Spot<\/a> makes. \u201cWhen running any healthcare blog, it is very challenging to find patients to take pictures of,\u201d \u00a0Stromsdorfer comments, \u201cand due to HIPAA regulations<\/a>, it is not legal for me to use pictures of any of my actual patients, or for any healthcare professional to do this unless the patient signs a waiver and the facility approves it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I find it to be much easier and safer to quickly find a stock image of an older adult or \u2018patient\u2019 in a hospital and just pay the $3, versus taking a tremendous amount of time hiring out people to act as patients.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Stromsdorfer continues, \u201cI think it\u2019s much harder to take your own professional pictures of places, items, and situations, so I recommend stock images for most industries for ease.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Additionally, \u201cbuying a stock photo is also a much safer bet than sourcing an image online and crediting it, because this can still come back and affect you legally if the original photographer wants to take legal action. I find the convenience and legal security totally worth the cost.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Now, for why you shouldn\u2019t be using stock images. Mark Armstrong from Mark Armstrong Illustration<\/a> points out the demerits of stock images briefly: \u201cThe worst thing about stock images: They make you blend in. You become indistinguishable from competing brands because everyone\u2019s using the same images. When you blend in, you become invisible. You have to make getting noticed your first priority.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Other disadvantages Armstrong lists:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Let\u2019s dive into the details of stock image disadvantages below:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Since stock images are so easily available and often free or reasonably priced \u2013 which\u00a0 means almost everyone under the sun uses them. This indicates your ideal audience might have already seen the image that you use.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As Chad Sakonchick from BetterLegal<\/a> notes, \u201cthere\u2019s a chance the stock image of your choice is widely used among your competition, and that your target audience saw it several times already.\u201d As a result, \u201cusing this type of image would give your page a disadvantage.”<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It also creates what\u2019s known as the \u201cwallpaper effect, and waters down brand differentiation,\u201d quips Scott Gardner from New Media Advisors<\/a>. After all, \u201ccustomers want real, meaningful interactions with your brand. Models smiling in picture-perfect settings is not the answer.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Elite Content Marketer\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0Chintan Zalani echoes the same. \u201cThe same set of stock images could be used by many other businesses, robbing your brand of being uniquely identifiable and memorable. Visuals also tend to have high retention.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So if a reader has a bad memory associated with a specific image you\u2019re using (due to a bad experience with a certain brand that used the image in the past), it can trigger negative feelings for your brand as well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n But how can you tell if a given image has been overused? Sakonchick has the answer for you. \u201cTo mitigate this threat, upload the image of your choice into Google Search and see how many times and where it was used previously. You\u2019ll know for sure if you have a green light to include the picture in your content.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Stock images tend to be generic, widely used photos. So if you\u2019re looking to stand out with a distinct brand personality, stock photos won’t help you.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n On this note, Timmy Yanchun from LTHR Shaving<\/a> shares, \u201cStock images just don\u2019t have that unique touch brands need to be recognizable. They may be okay in a pinch, but it is always best to put in the effort for original images whenever possible.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There\u2019s also a lack of authenticity when it comes to stock photos, as Sharon Gourlay from Dive Into Tasmania<\/a> observes. \u201cIn my industry [travel], the biggest disadvantage of using stock images and photos is the lack of authenticity for your brand. Most readers are smart enough to recognize stock photos, especially when they see the same photos on multiple sites.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u00a0If you\u2019re short on resources, consider adding a unique filter to a stock image to make it unique to your brand. Or, you can creatively edit a stock image by adding icons, shapes, or other design elements.<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThe biggest disadvantage of using stock images and photos is it’s sometimes difficult to find an image that properly conveys what you\u2019re trying to say,\u201d Turbo Gadget Reviews\u2019 Alex Williams highlights. \u201cThis is especially true in niche markets where there just aren\u2019t many stock photo options out there.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It\u2019s also true for the healthcare industry as My OT Spot\u2019s Sarah Stromsdorfer admits. \u201cThe biggest downside is finding the exact image or situation I need. If I need a picture of a patient doing a particular treatment, since my niche is fairly specific, it is rare to find exactly what I need when using stock photos. I have to compromise for a generic image of a \u2018patient\u2019 doing something similar to what I\u2019m writing about, hoping my audience will realize it\u2019s a broader image instead of an exact match.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The takeaway? Stock images might work well for certain niche industries. For others such as ecommerce and the travel industry, you\u2019ll be better off leveraging original photos for authenticity and delivering your message the way your want.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cI\u2019ve noticed my readers don’t respond well when the images I use in my blog posts look like they\u2019ve been taken from a stock image site,\u201d shares Never Ending Footsteps\u2019<\/a> Lauren Juliff. Consequently, Juliff takes good care to \u201cselect stock photos that don\u2019t look like stock photos.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The lack of trust surfaces from the fact that stock photos look staged. \u201cI want my audience to be able to trust my opinion. And when I use photos I obviously haven\u2019t taken, it diminishes that trust a little bit. If I give the impression I personally haven’t experienced the places I\u2019m writing about, my readers aren\u2019t going to take my recommendations as seriously, and I won\u2019t make as much money through affiliate marketing.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So how to get rid of this problem? Here\u2019s what Juliff does: \u201cI always try to use photos that don\u2019t look posed or staged. I choose photos that look as though they could have been taken by an amateur photographer, rather than an expert, in order to form a stronger connection with my audience. It’s definitely tricky to find that balance, where the images you select make your posts look professional, but not too professional.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Timothy Woods from Carnivore Style<\/a>\u00a0makes this point. \u201cUsing original images has more SEO value than stock images. Original images have unique EXIF data that helps them show in search, which stock photos don’t have.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n On top of that, stock images aren\u2019t typically UX friendly, Blake Bobit from Solution Scout<\/a>\u00a0observes. Bobit comments, \u201c[the picture] doesn\u2019t relate well with the content messaging [making it] a lot harder to convert your target reader.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Stock](\"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pasted-image-0-45-1024x577.png\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShould you use stock images? 17 marketers share their opinion<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Advantages of stock images: Why you should be using them<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
1. Stock images are budget-friendly<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
2. Stock images are easily available<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
3. Stock images are convenient to use<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
4. Stock photos are good quality images<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
5. They\u2019re the best option for some industries<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The downsides of stock images: Why you should invest in original photography<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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1. Stock images are widely used<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
2. Stock images don\u2019t add to your brand personality<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
3. The stock image might not deliver your message<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
4. Audiences don\u2019t respond well to stock photos<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
5. Search engines don\u2019t appreciate stock images as well<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n