Should you use stock images?
We generally recommend that clients use their own photos on their websites. However, sometimes that means spending money and time on custom photography. One way to save on both is by using stock photography—which is certainly much better than no photos.
Why you shouldn't use stock images?
Corporate Stock Images Can Look Contrived and Unnatural Corporate images in particular can look very unconvincing if used to promote a business. As such images are composed to be as widely used as possible, they often have an unnatural feel. The above image showcases what is possible using a professional photographer.
Are stock images legal to use?
In order to legally use stock in your advertising, marketing materials, presentation, product, or really anything intended to generate revenue for your business, you need to make sure it is licensed it for commercial use by the original copyright owner or a distributor who has the right to grant a license on behalf of ...
Is it OK to use stock photos on website?
Placing a stock photo on your website doesn't provide your audience with original content or a good UX. Not only can these photos feel inauthentic, but it can be a poor experience to see the same picture again and again across multiple websites. This is something Google would like to avoid showing its users.
Should you use stock photos for social media?
Firstly, here's why using stock images is so popular: Stock images (in the most part!) are high-quality, high-resolution images with a professional feel. You can usually find an image depicting what you need to fit your content. They're easy to find, save and upload to social media, blogs or any other content you want.
What images can I use for free?
24+ websites to find free images for your marketingUnsplash. Unsplash — Free image search. ... Burst (by Shopify) Burst – Free image search, built by Shopify. ... Pexels. Pexels – free image search. ... Pixabay. Pixabay – free stock photos. ... Free Images. Free images – stock photos. ... Kaboompics. ... Stocksnap.io. ... Canva.More items...
Are stock photos Royalty-free?
Most stock images are copyrighted: the photographer or designer who created them retains the ownership and intellectual property over the photo or illustration. For this reason, you cannot use the images without their express permission, and without paying them the due royalties or crediting them when required.
Can I use stock photos for Instagram?
Stock photos are royalty-free images you can use on Instagram without having to gain permission from the original content creator — and they're becoming increasingly popular for Instagram marketing.