Author: Edith Anderson

Stop Using Stereotypical Cheap Stock Photos

Are you tired of seeing a photograph of businessmen shaking hands or a group of people laughing? Well, you probably all are. But, that does not mean you should spend most of your budget on expensive photoshoots. We are saying that you have a lot of options. Remember when we said that cheap stock photo sites has millions and millions of stock photos cheap in their libraries? We are not joking. They really do. And, to stop using stereotypical images, you should consider this.

The only reason that we can think of why people use stereotypical images is laziness. Cheap stock photo sites, as we said, have millions of incredible photos available online. Quite possibly, you could also create your own unique photography. If you do not have the time or resources to conduct your own photoshoot, there is another option. Just because you have limited budget does not mean you settle for terrible images.

Here are some ways you can avoid using clichéd stock photo cheap with limited time and budget:

  • Consider illustrations
    Stock illustrations often convey personality and character. They make a statement and do not appear childish. In fact, creative professionals have increasingly used them on their websites and blogs.
  • Know how to integrate
    If you choose to use cheap stock photos, they do not have to be confined in a box. Give a relatively poor cheap stock photography a life by seeking new ways to integrate it within your design.
  • Stylize
    There are occasions when you have to work with low quality images. This usually happens when the client provides you with the stock images you have to work with or when the budget does not allow you to get a better quality stock photography. This is the time when you let your creativity go wild. Enhance your images using filters and Photoshop.
  • Choose a stock photo cheap with a punch

If you have the luxury to choose your own stock photography, choose an image with a punch. Do not settle for the first photo you see. Remember that color, style and composition make a huge difference.

The key to not using stereotypical images is by stop being literal. Keep in mind that some of the most powerful stock photos cheap are abstract. To draw users and engage them in, make sure that your images convey emotion and information.  Certain cheap stock photography has become so overused that they started to lose their meaning. They do not carry any positive emotional message. They do not convey any valuable information as well. In a word, these clichéd images have become no more than a placeholder to fill up space in your website or blog.

When Should You Pay for Cheap Stock Photos?

Two of the legal ways to acquire the right photos for your creative projects are conducting a photo shoot and purchasing cheap stock photos. Each has their own merits, so when should you pay for stock images? Unless what you need you can’t find in stock libraries or you have overflowing budget, you should consider using stock. Stock photos are readily available and does not require much of your time, money and effort. That’s why it is always recommended.

Notice that we didn’t include free photos in the legal ways to acquire images. Free photos usually come with a certain level of risk. You will often find yourself looking over your shoulders if the copyright police is on to you. They do not include the right licenses and documents that will allow you to use the images on your creative projects. Avoid them by all means if you do not want to be sued for being cheap. With just a few bucks of savings, you will be ruining your reputation and getting a huge hit on your finances.

If you know where the images come from, you will have peace of mind that you are not getting into something illegal. You can be certain that whatever happens you have the right to use the cheap stock photos you purchased from your chosen stock agency. In an instance that you receive an email about copyright, you have a proof of purchase. That’s why paying for stock photos is not really matter of when you should do it – you should do it.

Paying for cheap stock photos have its own advantages, including:

  • A larger selection to choose from. Including outstanding images, you will have a wide variety to choose from. Some stock sites have millions of photos in their libraries. You will surely find what you are looking for.
  • Save you time. If you need a specific images that is just out of your budget and location, cheap stock photos is your best shot to get it. You do not have to spend time for travel to conduct a photo shoot or scour through the search engines for a good find. Stock sites have powerful search tools that will give you narrowed down results in just a few seconds.

Whether you decide to conduct the photoshoot yourself or purchase cheap stock photos here, you are on the right track. Taking the photos yourself make you the creator so you have all the rights to use them in any way you like. Paying for stock photos also gives you the right to use the image, depending on the license you purchase it with. Just steer away from free photos because they won’t give you the protection you need when a legal issue arises.

Stockphoto Agencies: Why Should You Buy From Them?

If you are reading this, you are probably torn between buying stock photos and downloading free images. Let us answer your question quick: buy your photos from Stockphoto agencies. While

there are also hundreds of thousands of free images in the internet, they come with a certain risk. When you are building a reputation, you don’t want to associate with them. Here are some legitimate reasons why you should buy stock images from agencies instead:

  • Free images have limitations. When you download free images, you cannot use them in any project for as long as you like. They come with several limitations that may hinder you from making full use of the images. They are often not available for commercial purposes.
  • Stockphoto agencies sell licenses along with images. Unlike free images, you can purchase stockphoto images with the right license. The most common licenses are Royalty-free and Rights-managed. Check hereRF allows you to use the images in any project for as long as you like. On the other hand, RM only allows you to use the images for specific purposes, time and sometime location.
  • Stockphoto agencies protect you from copyright violations. Since you are getting images with licenses, you have the protection you need when the copyright police is on patrol. You can show them the receipt of your purchase to ensure that you didn’t illegally download your images.
  • They allows you to edit and retouch. When you are building a brand, you want your images to represent you in the best way. That’s why, sometimes, you need to do some edits and retouches to make it suit your theme and style. With free images, that’s not possible without violating copyright laws. Photos from stock photo agencies, on the other hand, allow you to edit and retouch photos to your liking.

So, should you buy stock photos or download them for free? This should not be a dilemma at all. With the implementation of copyright laws, it has become a requirement to buy from stock photo agencies rather than illegally download from the Internet.