Stock photos sometimes get a bad reputation when it comes to using them as images for your business. There are also many stock photo myths out there. But we know that 1) not everyone can afford custom images for their business 2) not everyone has the time to take their own photos and 3) even if people have the time, they'd rather spend it on other things (like binge-watching netflix, drinking wine, or actually spending time with their family)!
Stock photos can be a great way to create a cohesive visual brand across your marketing channels, especially if you have a new business and want to make the most of your budget!
Unfortunately, not all stock photos are created equal. When you understand some of the myths and misconceptions around using stock photos, you can ensure that you choose the right kind for your business! Here are some of the top stock photo myths we've seen:
Myth #1 – Free Stock Photos Are All Bad
Free stock photos are easily accessible for a wide range of people. While that’s very convenient, it also means that A TON of people are using them. If you want to create a unique visual brand for your business, using free stock photos is probably not the best choice, but free stock photos aren’t necessarily all bad. There are plenty of websites that have free stock photos that could be a good fit for your business. It's definitely going to take some digging and some research to find great free images… but it might be worth it to convey your brand in a more attractive way. (Don't forget you can grab 20 free feminine stock photos RIGHT HERE!)
Myth #2 – Stock Photos Are Expensive
Stock photos are actually available at a wide range of prices. They certainly don't have to be free or wildly expensive. Websites like Creative Market and Etsy are full of beautiful stock photos at a reasonable price. They are also a number of sites that offer affordable stock photo memberships where you can download a certain number of stock photos every month. And if you're looking for a stock photo membership where you have instant access to download an unlimited number of photos, there's the Styled Stock Society – where you can get instant access to over 2,500 photos for less than $25/month.
Myth #3 – You Don’t Have to Credit the Photographer
The terms of use associated with stock photos differs depending on the photographer and copyright owner. It's really important to understand how you can and can't use your stock photos when you're using them for your business. Some sites come with licenses that allow you to use stock photos for both personal and commercial use, while sometimes they’re just for personal use. Sometimes you have to credit the photographer and other times you don't. In fact, you may only be able to use images a certain number of times based on the photo license. It's really important to understand the full terms of use when using stock photos for your business because you want to make sure that you’re using them legally.
If you're a Styled Stock Society member, credit is never required… but it's always appreciated!
Myth #4 – You Can’t Customize Stock Photos To Fit Your Brand
Depending on the terms of use of your stock photos, you may be able to customize them to fit your brand. You could add color overlays, filters, or text in your brand fonts. You might also be able to crop, rotate, or otherwise manipulate the orientation of a stock photo to make it look a little bit different. You might even be able to insert your own product images into stock photos! There are a few different ways you can customize stock photos to be a better fit for your brand – just make sure that the way you use your stock photos isn’t a violation of the terms of use.
Stock photos can be a great way for businesses with a limited budget to create a cohesive visual brand. Remember that not all stock photos will work for you but don't believe all the stock photo myths out there! It's really important to find the right stock photos for you that not only represent your brand, but also come with the terms of use that are a good fit for your business.
