A Secret Alternative to Death to Stock Photo

Posted by Jack on October 15, 2019 in Death to Stock Photo, Death to Stock Photo Alternative, Death to the Stock Photo, Photocase, Stock Photo Buyers Guide

As a professional creative, there are times when you need the perfect image – be it for a new marketing project, website design, or any other creative project you might be working on. The problem we all face is finding the right stock photo, that’s not cheesy or overused. There are sites out there, like Death to Stock Photo aka Death to the Stock Photo, that provides such images but their curated collections can be somewhat limited. What you need is an alternative to Death to Stock Photo but perusing through the internet leaves you wondering if there are any.

Fortunately, there are a growing number of stock photo sites providing images that are unique, compelling, and relevant to today’s audience – in other words, anything but cheesy. Photocase is one of our favourite sites for high quality, unique stock images that rise above standard stock photography and provide a great Death to Stock Photo alternative (If you’re not familiar with Photocase, check out our review of them here).

Why Is It Important to Use Good Stock Photos

It really doesn’t matter what type of project you’re working on; high-resolution photos are essential. Imagine what web design without photographic visual design elements would look like, or how interesting would that blog be without the perfect image that ties it all together?

Commercial projects of all types, from social media marketing to content creation and other creative endeavours, all demand compelling, captivating images to capture the audience’s attention and meet the expectations of search engine algorithms. If you’re looking to power up your Google Ad campaign, try reading this article called Choosing Stock Images to Boost Your Google Ad Performance. You see, most of us are highly visual. It’s images, pictures, illustrations, and videos that capture our attention long before the text on a page – no matter how fantastic the font style. Presentation matters for creative digital marketing and graphic design pursuits, and you depend on stock photo sites to deliver the high-quality images you need to bring your creative design projects to life. The problem is that we’ve seen it all. We’re constantly online. Current research says on average, we each spend 6.5 hours online. Obviously, that number is more for some and less for others, but you get the point. We’re plugged and connected, through our Android phones, tablets, laptops, and all the other devices that make up our digital landscape. We’re viewing blog posts, watching videos, browsing websites, and devouring information at every turn. So much information that some estimates indicate we’re consuming 50% more information than we were several decades ago and much of this information is visual. With so much visual stimulation, the brain automatically starts to filter what it wants to see – including filtering out all those images we’ve seen a million times before. Unique images are what rise above the rest and stand out. Have a need for “weird” stock photography? Read where to find them. Professional photography is one road to capturing attention with unique images but it’s also something that really isn’t a priority in the budget of most businesses – especially when stock photography is a more affordable option. The issue is there isn’t a shortage of stock photo sites, and many of them feature the same cheesy, irrelevant images that have been overused to death. This is what promoted the birth of Death to Stock Photo. Built on the platform that their domain could provide the unique visual content that professional creatives were looking for, they soon began to stand out. However, there are some downsides to their platform, and not everyone was as equally impressed with their collection. So, those of us in the industry of compelling visual content began to look at what alternatives to Death to Stock Photo existed. Of all the stock photo sites out there, Photocase rises above as the alternative to flat, cheesy stock images you’re looking for.

Photocase as an Alternative to Death to Stock Photo

If you’ve ever Googled “stock images”, no doubt Photocase made it into the top tier of your search results. This is because the site has been around for over 15 years – basically forever in terms of the average lifespan for today’s digital business. Photocase is a German stock photo site, with a focus on providing images that lean toward the unconventional, with an undeniable authentic flair. In other words, the images that Photocase offers don’t look like stock photography.

Despite the years, Photocase has been dominating the stock image game, their collection has remained relatively small, at least compared to some of the larger sites with literally hundreds of millions of images cluttering the space, making it next to impossible to sort through all of them to find the unique image that stands out.

Photocase’s collection of curated images contains what has been described as a Berlin-style vibe. Each image that you’ll find on the platform offers up the perfect alternative to Death to Stock Photo. Their curated collection is artistic, infused with authenticity, and unlike the stock images that you’re going to find on any other platform – including Death to Stock Photo. To sweeten the pot, Photocase is also one of the more affordable options in unique stock photography – something that really matters to smaller enterprises and entrepreneurs. In contrast to Death to Stock Photo, which offers monthly membership packages based on enterprise size and need, Photocase offers on-demand purchasing. This enables you to purchase images individually or to buy bundles of credits to use toward image purchases, which can be a much more economical solution for businesses and professional creatives with limited budgets. Read more about how Photocase is an affordable alternative to premium stock images.

How Critical Is Photography to Marketing?

Your power to make a visual impact through marketing is pretty much at an all time high. Digital consumers are peruse social media and websites specifically looking for something to stand out and capture their attention. It’s true that you could accomplish this with a variety of visual media. Seemingly little details, like the color or font used in your marketing, have a significant visual impact. Still, your audience craves visual stimulation that’s more relatable. This is where stock photography comes in. Photography, especially stock images that are an alternative to Death to Stock Photo – like the ones you’ll find on Photocase, perform on multiple levels for your marketing strategy. How do unique stock images elevate your visual marketing performance? Here are just a few of the ways.

Accelerated Information Processing: The human brain processes visual information faster than the information it receives through text or auditory means. A compelling image, that captures attention, is a sure way to swiftly deliver your marketing message and help people quickly form a connection with your brand.
Attention-Grabbing: Take a minute and scroll through social media. How many of the images, save the ones of your friends, are cheesy stock photos you’ve seen countless times before? The repetitive use of these images is one of the downfalls to so many marketing campaigns. When we see a familiar image, we automatically think we’ve already read what’s attached to it. Unique stock photos grab attention and generate clicks.
Emotional Connections: Today’s consumer isn’t interested in flat, lifeless brands. With all the digital stimulation, they’re looking to connect on a more personal level, and doing your part to connect with them on an emotional level is one of the most effective ways to accomplish this. Stock images that rise above the ordinary can spark an emotional connection that overused stock photography could only dream of.
Non-Verbal Communication: Do you know that only a small percentage of the way we communicate with each other is verbal? The rest is done through body language, facial expression, touch, and interesting visual cues – like the ones you’ll find on sites that are alternatives to Death to Stock Photo.
Engagement and Sharing: The whole point of a marketing strategy is to get your brand message across to a wider audience and generate more interest in your business. In today’s digital environment, this is accomplished by generating engagement and encouraging social shares. Powerful images, that are unexpected, compelling, and speak to the person on an emotional level encourage these interactions.

Not Sure If a Stock Photo You Choose Has Been Overused to Death?

Man swings on scooter, legs whirl through the air

The very nature of stock photography means that the images are available for anyone and everyone to use. This is a major benefit for those who lack the budget, or even the desire, to work with a professional photographer for their image needs. The downside? The chances of each image being used repeatedly by hoards of other professional creatives are huge. The images and designs used on your website or in your content should say something about your business as an individual. How can you accomplish this with stock photos that have made their way around the internet so many times that they’re associated with multiple industries and numerous marketing messages? The simple answer is that you can’t. Sites like Photocase, which offer an alternative to Death to Stock Photo, feature images that you haven’t seen floating around the web. If you’re curious just how widely used an image is, you can do a reverse image search by uploading the image in Google, and then watch the results pour in. Reverse image searches can also help you find just the right stock photo for your needs. Learn more about our reverse image search to find out how. But we’re really not just talking about the overuse of a specific image here. We’re also referring the overuse of common themes and styles of photography that have been overdone to the point that they all start to blend together. Not sure what we’re talking about? How many images of bland handshakes accompanied by fake smiles have you seen? How about the smiling woman wearing a headset, or the countless images of word tiles have been used to spell out just about anything you can imagine? Images that are staged, too highly focused, or feature people in unnatural situations are all overused, and do nothing to highlight the authenticity and personality of the brand you want to highlight. Instead, you might start by initiating more specific searches for stock photography and viewing the photos you choose through the eyes of the consumer. Remove yourself from the situation and consider what you would think about a brand that used the image you’re looking at. Does it convey the message and emotional appeal you’re looking for? If not, scrap it and start fresh. As far as determining if a photo has made its way around a few too many times, rather than go through all the steps to determine if an image you choose has been overused to death, step away from the standard stock photo platforms in favor of sites that provide images that are removed from the ordinary and offer you the opportunity to breathe new, fresh life into your visual marketing and creative strategies.

Who Says Stock Photography Has to Be Serious and Boring?

Ok, let’s be completely honest here. We’re in the business of stock photography and support those like Photocase who do an exceptional job of providing their user base with authentic, timely, and artistic images. Still, the stock image industry as a whole has a reputation for being a bit boring. Does it really have to be this way? Absolutely not! Stock images don’t have to be stale, serious, or boring. In fact, they should be anything but. In one marketing study, 67% of consumers stated that the quality of an image connected to a brand, or their marketing campaign, was among the biggest influencers in their purchasing decisions. This realization is a big part of the reason why Death to Stock Photo became so well known in the industry, almost from the day they arrived on the scene. Professional creatives were craving something different, off the beaten path – and most importantly, an option to support truly talented photographers who knew how to capture the emotion and make connections through their work. At the time, they filled an important need but there were other sites who had been quietly doing for years, exactly what Death to Stock was becoming so well known for. Photocase is one of those sites that has always focused on quality over quantity in their curated collections andhas always appreciated the value of a true artistic eye behind the camera taking a stock image. Aside from a collection of stock images that are far from boring, Photocase offers both a basic license and an extended license, so once you find an image that stands out from the rest, you have more options as to how its used for your business. If you’ve been a little hesitant to invest in stock photography, it has likely been with good reason. You’ve probably seen some horrendously unflattering stock images – the ones that make you cringe a little in embarrassment for the person or business using them. You’ve also developed a very passive attitude toward bland photography that misses all the marks on standing out. Of course, you don’t want people to feel the same way about you, so you’ve avoided stock photography like the plague.

This exactly why we’re happy to feature stock photography sites like Photocase, who break free of all the stereotypes by supplying images that are far removed from the typical boring, serious photos that line the catalogues of other sites. If you’ve taken a look or two at Death to Stock Photo but wondered what else was out there, Photocase is a breath of fresh air that supplies inspiring, creative, and realistic images for all your stock photo needs.

Learn More About Photocase as an Alternative to Death to Stock Photo

Has your curiosity got the best of you yet? There’s nothing to lose by taking a trip to Photocase and checking out why we think they’re the best alternative to Death to Stock Photo around. Before you begin your next marketing or creative project, take some time to browse the curated collection on the Photocase platform, and you’ll understand exactly what we mean. Photocase has been in the business of providing unconventional stock photography since 2001. Thanks to their quality over quantity moto, and their easy to use the platform, they’re the stock photo site that we look forward to working with for years to come. If you’re someone who has relied heavily on free stock image sites due to budget restrictions, Photocase is not only one of the most affordable platforms that don’t make you buy into a monthly membership, they’re also offering an amazing promo. Check out this link to find out how you can get 5 free credits and 10% of your Photocase order. We promise you’re going to be as enamored with Photocase as we are, and we’re pretty sure they’re going to become your go-to resource for unique, authentic images that are a great alternative to Death to Stock Photo.

Ultimate Guide to Rules for Using Stock Photos

Posted by Jack on September 22, 2019 in copyright for stock photos, legal rights for stock photos, legal use of stock photos, Rules for Using Stock Photos, Stock Photo Buyers Guide, stock photo licensing, Stock Photo Rules

Buying stock photos for the first time often comes with a lot of questions. Maybe you’re not quite sure how to use stock photos legally and ethically, or you want to advise your team, students or colleagues how to use stock photos correctly. If you’re struggling to understand the legal rules for using stock photos for your project or are overwhelmed with information about the legal and ethical implications of using stock images – this guide has got you covered. Just want to know what royalty-free means? Then jump right here. Sourcing visual content, with the help of the internet, should be super-easy with just the click of a button. You can easily access and download millions of photos and videos on Google. But just like many things in life, rules have been put in place to control the procurement of content. Copyright infringement is a serious matter that can cost a fortune and can bring havoc to your business, or worse, your reputation. When it comes to using photos online, it’s necessary to use copyright-free images and be fully aware of any attribution requirements. So in this guide, Stock Photo Secrets have put together all the information you should know about copyright and stock photo licenses. We’ll also discuss the rules for using stock photos, how to protect yourself, how and when to credit, and some tips on using stock images — so read on!

The need for high-quality images

If you haven't noticed it yet, we are living in an increasingly visual world. Whether online or offline, high-quality photos and illustrations are in high demand. This is especially true in online and print marketing where high-quality photos are a necessary part of an effective marketing campaign. Businesses of today require visual content on their websites, email campaigns, blogs, and social media profiles. The ’42 Visual Content Marketing Statistics You Should Know in 2017′, an article published by HubSpot, has some interesting statistics you should know:

After 3 days, people will most likely only retain 10% of the information they hear. However, when information is paired with an image, people can retain up to 65%.
With text and illustrations, people do 323% better compared to following directions without illustrations.
An increase of 2.3x more engagement is observed on Facebook posts with images.
On Twitter, tweets with images are likely to receive 150% more retweets.

Why use stock photos?

If you are managing a business, a blog or you’re a graphic designer, design student or social media influencer, you can greatly benefit from using stock photos. Also, for website builders and mobile apps developers, the availability and wide selection of stock photos can significantly help enhance your project. There is an abundance of high-quality stock photos that you can use to create stunning content for your marketing campaigns, engaging landing pages, or even for your eCommerce site. Stock photography, in general, is an archive of ready-made photos which can be licensed commercially. Getting online images from a stock photo agency is one of the best ways to legally use photos for your project. In stock photography, there are usually two participants involved: the consumer and the photographer. You (the consumer) do the browsing and downloading of the images, while the photographer (image creator) submits and gets paid a percentage once their photos get licensed and downloaded. Stock photo agencies usually operate on a subscription or credit-based system.

Will using stock photos hurt my brand image?

Using stock photos won't hurt your brand's image providing that it works for you. When using stock photos, it is important to note that the image should match your content and be relevant to your business, or appeals to your target audience.

Also Keep in mind that whether you use free or paid royalty-free stock photos, it’s essential that you check its legality. Check usage clauses, image permissions, and modification criteria. You should also see if there's a need for credit attribution. (More on these below.

Legal implications

Whenever you use anything that you didn’t create, you should carefully check to see if you are violating any copyright law or other legal rights. When using or buying a stock photo, it’s crucial to thoroughly read and understand all of the licensing terms and agreements. Understanding image copyright, stock photo licensing terms, and its usage rules are necessary for you or your client to avoid costly legal battles. Although the copyright law and license agreements are somewhat complex, recognising the basic elements and terms will significantly help you make better choices. A consequence of carelessly using unauthorised images can result in you being taken to court for copyright infringement. Illegal use cases usually result in you paying huge amounts of money in damages. A perfect example of this is Gigi Hadid being sued by a photo agency for posting a photo of herself taken by a photographer during a photoshoot. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court before Hadid eventually won the case under the fair-use clause (see below). Another possible ramification is that the image owner or creator might send you a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) take-down request, invoice you, demand payment and/or attribution. If you fail to honour their request, a Cease and Desist order will follow which could result in a lawsuit. This shouldn’t be taken lightly. Especially now that, with the help of online tools, photographers or image creators can easily track down offenders. And regardless of your intention, unauthorised use of images — used online or offline — is considered image theft. Instances like these can be both embarrassing and financially damaging. It can also be detrimental to your brand's reputation. That's why it is best to know the licensing rules and choose either royalty-free images or seek permission first from the image creator.

Why you should refrain from using images from Google

It's not safe for you to just use images found on Google. This is because Google doesn’t hold the copyright and only indexes the images under the protection of Fair Use rules. Therefore, Google doesn’t have the authority to permit usage of the images. Only the photographer or image creator can legally grant it.

Understanding Copyright, its Limitations, and Usage Rules

Copyright A legal right that grants the creator of an original work the exclusive rights to control the use, sale, distribution and reproduction is known as copyright. This covers all kinds of creative work and allows the creator to protect their work, and also generate revenue from it.

So when a photo is copyrighted, you will need to get the necessary permission from the creator before you can legally use it. This is the reason why you should be careful when downloading and using images you find online, especially with free image sites like Unsplash, Pexels or Pixabay.
What if there's no copyright sign? One common misconception is that if the image has no copyright notice or sign means that it's in the public domain. You need to remember that even if there is no visible copyright sign, the image may still be under the protection of copyright laws. To be on the safe side, be certain that there is a clear indication that the photo is in the public domain, or that the photo has a Creative Commons license.
Creative Commons Creative Commons is a nonprofit organisation that provides free and easy-to-use copyright licences which gives the public permission to share and use creative works under the creator's condition. These conditions may require you to write source attribution or may put limitations as to what you can do or how you can use the image. You can visit the Creative Commons website to find out more about what they do.

Restrictions and Exceptions to Copyright Law

Copyright laws differ from each country, including its limitations and exceptions. And one primary limitation to copyright is Fair Use.

Fair Use Doctrine

Coming from the US copyright law, the term “Fair Use” means that brief excerpts of copyrighted materials may be quoted verbatim, under certain circumstances, for purposes such as in a parody, new technologies, commentary, criticism, and other transformative uses, without payment or implied permission from the copyright holder (creator). This is particularly relevant when using photos taken of you by a professional photographer, specifically when the intended use is for commercial purposes. It simply means that under Fair Use, you are legally allowed and protected to use someone else's work without the need for you to ask permission or pay the image creator. The problem with Fair Use is that it’s often deemed too general and somewhat vague. You may face a common dilemma in determining if something falls under Fair Use. Moreover, the Supreme Court purposely leaves it open to interpretation, assessing copyright infringement cases on a case-by-case basis. Judges base their decision on determining whether a case falls under Fair Use using five common factors:

The nature of the copyrighted work
The amount and substantiality of the portion used with the copyrighted work
The purpose and character of the use
The effects on the potential market or value of the copyrighted work
If the use was transformative

Key licensing terms and definitions

For you to fully understand the common types of licenses, you should know the key licensing terms for stock images. Below are the common terms and their definitions:

Seat license

Seat license refers to the number of people who have the right to access and use the photo at a given time. In a single-seat license, it allows only one individual to download and use the image. While in a multi-seat license, it allows a specified number of individuals, usually around 3 to 5 persons, to download and use the image.

End-user / End-product

An end-user refers to the entity or last person(s) who the photo is intended to reach. While end-product is where the image will ultimately appear.

Single & multiple application

In a single application, there's only one end-user and one end-product. On the other hand, in a multiple application, there are multiple end-users but only one end-product.

Multi-domain and Multiple clients

In multi-domain, there's only one client, but multiple end-products. Whereas in multiple clients, there are no specified client limits so as long as the respective intentions aren’t in conflict with the other licensing terms.

Editorial use and commercial use

Editorial use license allows the image to be used only to illustrate a point in an article and not for selling. On the contrary, in a commercial use license, the image is used to sell something.

Two Common Types of Licenses Stock Image Agencies Offer

Below are the two most common types of licenses offered by stock image agencies.

1. Royalty-free image license

A royalty-free (RF) license grants you a basic right to use the image over and over again with no additional cost upon purchase (one-time payment). You (or the end-user) may buy the photo size you need and use it as much as you want for permitted uses defined in the licensing agreement. Royalty-free image licenses usually provide one end-user 1-10 seat-licenses. This type of license is cheap but it is non-exclusive. Some stock images websites claim to offer royalty-free images but impose several restrictions in terms of how and what you can do with the image. Thus, it's very important to buy a true royalty-free image or check the license agreement first. Main Features of Royalty-Free Images Having the right to use a stock photo – whether licensed under RF or RM – doesn’t entail the transfer of copyright. The image creator still holds the ownership of the photo. You (the buyer) only have the right to use the photos. Consequently, RF licensed images have specific rights and restrictions that apply to them. Each stock photography agencies have their licensing terms. That's why it's important to read the agreement. Below are its most common features:

Non-transferable – only the buyer has the legal right to use it. You can’t share, gift, or resell it.
Non-exclusive – RF images can be used by as many people who bought the license.
Worldwide – there's no geographic limitation associated with RF photos (unless specified in the license agreement)
Perpetual – there's no time limitation associated with RF photos (unless specified in the license agreement)
Multiple-use – allows multiple uses of the image, be it print, digital, or other methods

Also, there are two different types of RF image license: 1) Editorial RF license – with this license, you can only use the image for editorial purposes. Commercial usage of it is prohibited. 2) Commercial RF license – with this license, you can use the image in any commercial purpose. However, depending on the agency, the reproduction run is usually limited in 500,000 copies. You can buy an Extended RF license to give extra rights for unlimited reproduction, use the image in products for resale, and no multimedia distribution restrictions.

Restrictions to Usage of Royalty-Free Images

The following are the basic restrictions of RF images. It’s important to note these restrictions, especially if you intend to incorporate the image into a website branding or logo. Each agency has the right to add or remove restrictions to the usage of RF images, so you need to make sure to read the terms.

The image (as a whole) can’t be used as part of a trademark or logo.
The image can’t be shared, gifted, or transferred to any third-party
The image should be part of an integral design, reselling or redistributing it is prohibited
The image can’t be used in any defamatory way which could give a negative connotation on the image’ contents (persons, properties)
The image can’t be used in morally questionable uses like pornographic or adult-related content
The persons and properties in the image can’t be used in such a way that it would appear they are directly endorsing a product or service

If you are a graphic designer, you can use RF images in designs that you will sell to clients, providing images are modified and embedded in your design. As mentioned above, you can’t resell RF images as they are.

2. Rights-Managed image license

Rights-Managed (RM) is a type of stock image license where the image price is calculated based on the following:

how often you use the image
the image display size, placement, and geographical areas
the medium and duration of use
how many viewers will potentially see the image

This type of license is exclusive, expensive, expires, and has the most restrictions. RM image licenses only allow one person to purchase the image and has the sole rights to use it. You should be careful to read the license agreement to avoid infringement uses or expired rights. Use case – for whom could this be relevant

Attributions: how and when to credit photo

Typically, attributions are often found on an Editorial use of an image. Regardless of the type of license (Royalty-Free or Rights-Managed), crediting a photo isn’t legally required unless stated otherwise in the license agreement. Including a photo credit is an ethical thing to do and is, therefore, a good practice.

Ethical concerns

Aside from its legal implications, using stock imagery also has some ethical concerns that you need to consider. Using someone else's photo is unethical as its a form of stealing, as is selling copyrighted photos and claiming them as your own.

This is particularly relevant with the abundance of free images available from amateur and pro photographers from sites like Unsplash and Burst. However, these aren’t the only ethical issue worth discussing.

Using stock photos to drive user engagement

Based on the stats that people are more drawn to online posts that have visual content, more and more organizations are using stock photos to drive engagement. The problem with this is that some stock images used are generic and have nothing to do with the story. This is especially true with blogs that make use of dramatic stock photos for click-bait purposes, designed to grab the attention of online users. Choosing the right image can be a time-consuming task, but is worth the effort when you engage with your ideal target audience. Another unethical practice used to drive traffic is creating large online galleries. These galleries usually contain photos that don’t have a narrative. It's usually uploaded for the sole purpose of driving engagement and generating more clicks.

Protecting yourself

We are going to discuss some must-follow rules for using stock images. These will help to protect yourself from any issues associated with stock images. Keep on reading for tips to help ensure that you are using an image legally and ethically.

Although some stock image websites offer RF images for free, it's still wiser and safer to buy RF and RM licensed images.
Make sure to buy or download images only from reputable stock photography agencies like our Stock Photo Secrets Shop, Photocase, Shutterstock, iStock, Adobe Stock and Depositphotos. Check out more Stock Photo Secrets trusted stock agencies list and enjoy special offers for our readers.
Always read and carefully adhere to the license guidelines for image use.
Create proper attributions, especially if you're using the image for editorial use. Depending on your license, attributions aren’t legally required but it’s good practice. If unsure how to make proper attributions, use Creative Commons TASL (Title, Author, Source, License) approach.
If you spot a usage violation, immediately correct it. If the copyright holder requests you to take down an image, do so right away.
You should download the correct image size according to your needs.
Only search and use images that suit your needs or your brand.
Refrain from using outdated and generic images by staying up-to-date with the latest photography trends.
Use authentic stock photos and photos who are not stock photography if you want to get some reaction on social media and on Instagram with your photos

Best practices

And now that we're through discussing everything you must know about the rules for using stock photos, here are some bonus tips in using them. For more, check out our archive on Stock Photography Licensing. These best practices will help you enhance your project and help you avoid using stock photos in the wrong way.

Use high-quality images, avoid using blurry or poorly-photographed images.
Use images that are relevant to your content, fit and speaks your story, or suits your brand.
Modify the image whenever necessary but never overcomplicate the process.
Use stock images that are relatable to your target audience.

Key Takeaways

Carelessly using someone else's work could get you into hot water, both legally and ethically. When using stock images, it is best to understand the ins and out of copyright law. The Fair Use doctrine is somewhat ambiguous, so it's important to be cautious. Download images only from reputable stock photography sites. Know you or your client's need before purchasing a Royalty-Free or Rights-Managed image license as they have different features and restrictions. And lastly, use stock images that are relevant to your content. Choosing the right stock photo is not an easy task, especially when sourcing visual content for client work. Taking extra care to choose from legally and ethically sourced stock agencies before you start your search will save you lots of unnecessary headaches in the long run. We want to hear from you so let’s chat in the comments.

The Complete List of Stock Photo Free Trials (2019)

Posted by Jack on September 17, 2019 in 99club, 99club free trial, Adobe Stock, Adobe Stock Free Trial, arabian, Bigstock, bigstock free trial, depositphotos coupon code, depositphotos free trial, Dreamstime, Free Trial, free trial offer, Free trial subscription, iStock free trial, Photocase, photocase free trial, Shutterstock, Shutterstock free trial, Stock Photo Buyers Guide

In today’s increasingly busy and distracting world, even the most comprehensive content gets scanned for the ‘good bits’. We’re so used to consuming huge amounts of data on a regular basis that finding the time to truly engage is often a luxury, especially when searching for stock photo free trials. That’s where the power of images comes in. A striking stock image can force you to pause and emotionally engage in a way that words can’t. Images have the ability to capture your imagination without having to use a single word. In fact, good imagery is deemed essential to getting your message across. A problem that many businesses face is not having enough high-quality stock photos to use across their various marketing channels. Especially when you consider how expensive it can be to purchase a large number of stock images which affects most small business, graphic designers, website builders, and entrepreneurs. Being able to take advantage of stock photo free trials before committing your budget is a win-win. Take Adobe's 30 days free trial for example, due to its popularity and extensive collection this is one of the top choices for businesses.

Adobe Stock: get a free 30-day Trial!

Get 10 Adobe Stock standard assets with your free trial. Cancel risk-free within the first month.

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Adobe Stock

High-quality images that don’t break the bank

Whether you want beautiful images for your blog or need stunning photos and videos for you social media campaigns, finding the right picture is a task in itself. The good news is that high-quality stock images don’t have to break the bank thanks to an abundance of online stock photo agencies. The downside is that you often have to waste a lot of time trying to find that perfect shot. Many graphic designers and business owners know that frustration only too well. While searching for images, the last thing you want to worry about is image copyrights or other restrictions. Avoid getting yourself in hot water by using trusted stock agencies who take care of all the hard work for you. Our goal is to help make your job easier, so we've compiled a list of the top stock photo agencies that offer free trials and are 100% royalty-free, so you don’t have to worry about a lawsuit!

Stock Photo Sites – Free Trials

Check out some of our favourite stock photo free trial sites:

Adobe Stock – The Free Trial Version for anyone

Adobe Stock offers a 30-day free trial, offering 10 free photos throughout the free trial. After the trial, Adobe Stock monthly subscription is set at an affordable price of $29.99 per month, with a standard license that allows unlimited online usage with some restrictions. For an added cost of $80 per image, all restrictions will be lifted allowing you to use the images however you wish. Adobe Stock offers credit packs at the price of one credit for $10, with HD images requiring anywhere between 5 to 50 credits. Adobe Stock is ideal for graphic designers that use Adobe Cloud, but can also be used independently for those who don’t Adobe Cloud. Perfectly integrated with Adobe Photoshop makes it a must for designers. This easy-to-use integration provides designers with access to millions of images without ever having to leave Adobe Photoshop. You can preview watermarked photos and optimise your design before making a final decision on which image works best. Don’t miss out on Adobe Stock’s free trial by using StockPhotoSecrets’ discount code. Find out more about our analyses of Adobe Stock.

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Photocase – Free Trial includes 5 Free Credits

Enjoy 5 FREE credits when you register for Photocase’s free trial using the Stock Photo Secrets voucher code. Every single high-resolution image published on their platform is handpicked by experienced photo editors. Their credit packages which start from 25 Credits up to 4 photos in standard size are very affordable in comparison to other stock photo agencies meaning you won’t have to splash the cash. With an easy-to-use search engine system, you can organize your photos by project names, theme and effortlessly search for your favourite images. Photocase is known for its modern, aesthetically pleasing images which are sure to catch the attention of your readers. Click here to take advantage of Photocase’s 5 free credits and 10% of your first purchase. Read the full report of Photocase review.

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Dreamstime – Explore the 1-Week Free Trial

Using Dreamstime is literally a dream for millions of small businesses, graphic studios, publication houses, and freelancers, offering over 107 million stock photos. You’ll have access to a large collection of professional standard photos with millions of hand-drawn and computerised illustrations. Dreamstime has a one-week free trial plan for new customers and you can enjoy the first 5 high-quality images for FREE with no strings attached.

Stock Photo Sites – Best On A Budget (not free but cheap)

99Club by Stock Photo Secrets – Easy Access for a Small Fee

Considered one of the most budget-friendly stock photo agencies, StockPhotoSecrets is the perfect solution for small and medium-sized businesses. With more than 4 million royalty-free images (and counting!) and plans to suit every budget, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular choice across the globe. Technically there is no free trial, but thanks to the super affordable pricing plans it usually works out significantly cheaper than most of the other options. We help you save money without having to compromise on quality. Download 200 XXL high-quality photos for just $99 from 99 Club, and if you need more than 200 images, vectors or illustrations, you only have to pay $0.99 per XXL download. Sign up to 99 Club and register to download images, vectors, and illustrations today. Click here for reviews on the 99Club.

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Bigstock – Each day 5 royalty-free images / 7 days

With Bigstock, you can download up to 5 royalty-free images or vectors of any size each day for 7 days. Registering for a Bigstock free trial provides access to more than 80 million high-resolution standard license stock images. It’s important to note that you need to enter a valid payment method before you can activate the 7-day trial period. After the 7-day free trial is over, you will only be charged if you wish to continue using their services. This will come at a cost of $79 per month for 5 images per day on a subscription basis. Additional images can be purchased using credit packs from $12, which expire after one full year. Extended licenses for images can be bought for around $50 per image, permitting unlimited commercial use. Try out Bigstock’s free trial and take advantage of their special discount through StockPhotoSecrets where you get an additional 6 credits completely free when you buy any credit package. Read more about this stock photography resource in our BigStock review.

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Stock Photo Sites – Free Images

Shutterstock – Free Images for Creative Users

Shutterstock is a treasure trove of high-resolution stock photos and vector files. One of the leading stock photography sites in the world, Shutterstock has been an innovator when it comes to stock photography pricing. Introducing subscription for royalty-free stock photos was a game-changer and has since been adopted by many other stock agencies. Boasting more than 280 million royalty-free images, it’s safe to say that they have something for everyone. Prepaid packs range from $49 for any 5 images to $229 for 25 images issued with a standard licence which gives you the right to make up to 500,000 copies of any images. While they don’t offer a free trial, you can still take advantage of free stock photos. Another advantage of using Shutterstock is the editorial version you can download to test out how the image will fit in with your design works. Perfect for graphic designers who can try before they buy. Save up to 15% off your Shutterstock subscription deals using StockPhotoSecrets’ coupon code. Find out the full report on Shutterstock.

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iStock – Flexible Plans to Suit Every Budget

iStock has been around for quite a while, almost two decades in fact. Acquired by Getty Images in 2006, iStock gives everyone that registers on their platform one free image, illustration and video footage every week for FREE. Download inspiring stock photos from a wealth of well-curated collections available on a monthly basis. iStock currently has over 30 million high-resolution stock photos, vectors, and illustrations and that includes more than 6 millions exclusive stock images. Gain access to world-class photography by purchasing credits priced from $8 per credit or opt-in for a monthly subscription with prices ranging from $85 per month for any 10 images each month or $339 per month for 750 images each month. Images are released on a default standard licence for personal and commercial use. You can also purchase images on an extended licence when required. Save a whopping 15% off any credit pack by using StockPhotoSecrets’ coupon code. Click here to see our iStock assessment.

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Depositphotos – 5 free Images for your Creative Needs

Considered one of the most established stock photo websites, Depositphotos has over 100 million high-quality stock photos, vectors and videos to choose from. With a choice between subscription or credit packs, there’s something for every budget. With a newly introduced flexible plan costing just $29 per month, you can download 30 high-resolution images and vector files every month, and any unused downloads automatically transfer over to the next month. Depositphotos also has a whole selection of files to choose from and they are offered to the public free of charge. Exclusive to StockPhoto Secrets’ readers, Depositphotos offers up to 5 free image downloads in any size when you register using StockPhotosecrets unique code. Simply register with Depositphotos to access more than 100 million high-resolution images and vectors. If that’s not enough to tempt you, using our exclusive offer you can save 15% off your first purchase at DepositPhotos. With more than 5 million satisfied customers, you won’t be disappointed. Curious about Depositphotos, check out our review.

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Getty Images – World-Class Editorial Images at Special Price

Getty Images is one of the most well-known stock photography agencies across the globe. With one of the biggest stock archives, Getty Images is famous for exclusive, world-class photography highly suited to commercial and editorial use. You can purchase high-quality photos using a licensing model tailored to your specific requirements called a Rights Managed license. Whilst this type of license is much higher than the more common Royalty-Free license, amongst other perks it does allow exclusive usage of the photo. Getty’s pricing is not for everyone and is considerably more expensive side in comparison to other competitors. Getty Images doesn’t offer a free trial however it is worth mentioning due to the extensive portfolio and high-calibre of options available. For creative professionals who work in the editorial world or graphic designers who are working on commercial projects like magazines, ebooks, mobile apps, etc. Getty Images is the perfect choice for your stock photo needs. Sign up to Getty today and save 30% on their Ultrapacks. Check out the Getty reviews.

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Stock Photo Trials to Suit Everyone

Whether you’re a graphic designer or perhaps you’re creating content for your own business, our list of stock photo free trials covers all your options. No matter what type of image you're looking for or what your specific budget is, we’ve included the best stock photo websites designed to suit everyone. If you want to start a photo trial today, click here to begin the popular stock photo adobe trial in seconds or one of the listed agencies above. Which free trials do you plan on testing out? Have you already tried some of them out? Did we miss any of your favourite free trial sites? We want to hear from you so let’s chat in the comments.

Absolute Best Sites to Find Perfect Stock Illustrations

Posted by Jack on September 12, 2019 in Adobe stock illustrations, cheap illustrations, depositphotos stock illustrations, exclusive stock illustrations, free stock illustration, illustration trends, royalty free stock illustration, stock illustration, Stock Illustrations, Stock Illustrations for Websites, Stock Photo Buyers Guide, stock vector illustrations, Stockphotosecrets stock illustrations

It’s cliché, but it’s true – a picture really is worth a thousand words. Adding images to your website, content, social media feeds, and other marketing materials is pretty much the best strategy for making yourself stand out. We encourage you to read our article that explains what stock photo agencies are and when to use them. There are only two problems with using stock visuals. The first is that everyone is doing the exact same design thing, which makes it hard to establish some individuality. The second is that stock photography doesn’t always meet your standards when it comes to making a visual impact – you’re after stunning colours, patterns, and textures. Sometimes, you need something a little different. Like stock illustrations. Stock illustrations can fill a variety of visual content design needs, and they just might be the solution you’re looking for. Here’s what you need to know about using stock illustration art, and where to source the highest quality artistic material. Read on to learn more about finding the perfect stock illustrations and then head over to discover the types of illustrations and high resolution, quality textures we’re talking about on sites like Stock Photo Secrets.

Introduction to Royalty-Free Stock Illustrations and Vectors

You’re likely already quite familiar with stock photography, which can be described as professional-looking photographs of fairly common scenes – such as nature, people, or events. The photographers who take these photographs place them on stock photo sites, where someone like you comes along and browses through a catalogue until the perfect image strikes their eye. Stock illustrations are similar in that you can still browse various sites and purchase the rights to use them in your own materials, but the medium itself is quite different. Stock illustrations are often more interpretive, and they’re a unique way to break through all the visual clutter that’s accumulating online. When everyone is using stock photography to add visual interest to their content, shifting gears and going with illustrations can help you stand out. When browsing stock illustrations, you might notice there are different types of curated artwork. When searching for custom illustrations to use, the word “vector or vectors” is likely to pop up. There are some differences between standard stock illustrations and vector illustrations (aka clip art), with each format containing elements that are beneficial for different types of usages. The word vector is used to describe a style of illustration that is used and downloaded often in graphic design applications, for example, logo creation. Vector graphics are different in that they’re generally smaller, and modifiable. A vector illustration can be stretched, enlarged, broken apart and modified in just about any way imaginable to fit your commercial use needs. In contrast to this are other types of stock illustrations that might be described as high-quality drawings. They’re high resolution but have limitations on how you can use them. For example, you might be able to enlarge a stock illustration to use as a book cover or small poster, however, they might not transfer well to sizes larger than this. They also often come in PNG or JPG format and not in EPS-Vector format after you download them. If you’re looking for less expensive stock illustrations to download that can be easily modified to suit your graphic design and visual needs, then you’ll want to check out the agencies mentioned in “Are There Any Good Places to Download Stock Illustrations for Websites?” If you’re in need of artsy, high end looking stock illustrations that are also visually captivating, head to “Sites Devoted Specifically to Stock Illustrations” to discover where to find the curated illustrations you’re looking for. When you use this unique design style of a visual part in your work, you’ll find that it offers some advantages over the standard stock photo. As mentioned, illustrations can add a unique visual appeal and help elevate your project above the masses of cheesy, cliché stock photography. Still, there are other benefits to consider. Stock illustrations can be a better choice because of they:

Add personality: When your project is visually different from everything else your audience is seeing online, it adds more depth to your personality and helps them feel more connected to your business. The right illustration can convey volumes about the personality of your brand and for your next project.
Versatility: You can spend hours pouring over images trying to find the one that hits the nail on the head for conveying a specific message. Illustrations are different in that they’re more interpretive. This makes it easier to find a great visual that effectively delivers your message.
Search Engine Optimization: You might not have digital marketing on your brain when you download visual graphics, but the images you chose can have an effect on how easily your online audience finds you. Illustrations are typically smaller files and load faster. This enhances your audience’s experience and gets the thumbs up from search engines.
Modifications: It’s frustrating when you find a visual that almost fits your needs, but not quite. Stock photography is difficult, if not impossible, to effectively edit. Illustrations are easier to modify in small ways that make them more aligned to your brand or message. Read our related article on using images to create illustrations and vectors.
Profitability: Your customers are tired of the same old attempts at getting their attention. When you choose unique stock illustrations, you’re capturing their attention with something fresh that they haven’t seen countless times before. This attracts more customers and can ultimately prove to be a more profitable strategy for your business.

Are There Any Good Agencies to Download them for Websites?

So, here’s the golden question. Are there any good stock art sites where you can source the high-quality illustrations you’re looking for? There are actually plenty of sources in 2019 and 2020 but much like with stock photography, you have to be choosy or you’re going to end up with something on the lower end of the quality scale. One of the first places worth looking is the stock photography sites you’ve already been counting on for engaging photos. For instance at iStock and more of the best websites to start searching.

iStock – Quality and Affordable Stock Illustrations

If you’re overwhelmed trying to decide where to start your search for amazing stock illustrations, there’s no better starting line than iStock. More stock image sites have been making this leap, just check out this article about iStockphoto’s new additions of video and illustrations to their Signature Collection. Learn more about iStockphoto’s Signature Collection and their pricing structure by reading our update on their collection here. There are other stock photo sites that feature illustrations as well – here are a few of the best. iStock is a well-respected name in the world of stock imagery, and all the reasons they hold this title carry over into their stock illustrations collection. iStock is committed to working with professional quality artists, offering a catalogue of only the best illustrations, and making it all affordable with a range of pricing options. They make it easy to find vectors and clipart images by adding a scroll down filter option to their search bar. Discover more about iStock, and their beautiful stock graphics, but reading the full iStock review here and go directly to their curated collection here!

Adobe Stock – Trusted Resource in Quality Stock Art

Adobe Stock is a name that’s synonymous with high-quality visuals and stock photos. You can trust that they don’t drop the ball when it comes to offering a catalogue of stock illustrations that are high quality, professional, unique, and attractive to your market’s eye. Adobe Stock offers an impressive collection of illustrations that are visually attractive without being “in your face” intrusive. Adobe Stock doesn’t have a vector or illustration filter but it is easy enough to find what you need by typing what you’re looking for – such as “vector illustrations” – into the search bar. Check out the full Adobe Stock review to learn more about this site and their high quality, professional photo illustrations. Example Illustrations – Digital and hand-drawn illustrations from their most expressive artists can be found here!

Stock Photo Secrets Shop – Beautiful, Royalty-Free Illustrations

Stock Photo Secrets Shop is our own trusted resource for quality stock photography. Stock Photo Secrets is a great site for finding quality vector images and illustrations, that fit within your budget. They have over 2,280,086 vector illustrations and other stock photos in their stock right now. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality because you can’t afford the fees associated with other major sites. Stock Photo Secrets is the resource that meets the needs of any size business. Plus, Stock Photo Secrets Shop makes it super easy to find the stock illustrations you’re looking for with a menu option at the top of their site and a filter option in the search bar by picking VECTORS there. What makes this site perfect for a business looking for top-notch graphic design and illustrations with modern colour palettes? Read the full Stock Photo Secrets Shop review to learn more.

Offset by Shutterstock

Men hiking along idyllic, tranquil sunset mountain and forest landscape

Malte Mueller / fStop / Offset

Shutterstock has a platform called Offset that features stock vector illustrations, along with incredibly unique stock photography. Sites like these are ideal for businesses that have a wide range of visual content needs. It’s also great for browsing and selecting images that help build your brand image, rather just sit dully on the screen. Take a few minutes and head over to Offset to do exploration and see their image graphics for yourself. If you take a look at your favourite stock photo site, there’s a good chance you’ll find they have a vector category hidden in there somewhere. Some of your favourite sites make it easy to separate and find vector images in their libraries. The best place to look is the search bar function, usually located at the top of the page. Many sites offer a drop-down menu, or filter option, that allows you to single out vector images in your search.

Stock Agencies Devoted Specifically to Stock Illustrations

In some cases, you might find the catalogue of illustrations on mixed media stock art sites to be a little limiting. You might have better luck finding the exact type of professional illustrations you’re looking for by browsing one of several sites that specializes in stock vector illustration. These libraries don't offer stock photos but just illustrations. When browsing these sites, keep in mind that it’s useful to use the vector search option if one’s available. Although not all stock illustration sites include a vector filter, many do and it can be usually be found near the search bar. Just click on the options menu and select “vector” to filter the images. Here are 5 of our favourite stock illustration sites.

IKON Images

Credit: Alice Mollon / Ikon Images

IKON Images offers an impressive selection of unique images that are ideal for helping you cultivate a modern, relevant brand. Even the standard “still life” illustration on this site has a depth of realism and quality of artistic design that makes it stand out in a crowd. The IKON platform is nicely designed to make it easy for you to browse their various themes and concepts – all of which are aligned with what the modern business is often looking for. If you’re looking for something fresh and unique that jumps off the screen, IKON Images is your go-to site for stock illustrations. The IKON collection of curated illustrations is beautiful but expect to dig a little if you’re looking specifically for vector illustrations. Also note that the illustrations from IKON are exclusively Rights Managed (RM), meaning that a license is sold for a specific use, and the fee for that license is adjusted accordingly. Featured stock illustration examples from Ikon Images all Copyright by Ikon Images:

The i Spot

The i Spot is an exclusive illustration site that serves as one of the most comprehensive stock illustration resources available today. They’ve been building their collection since 1996, with a commitment to supporting talented artists and providing their customer base with only top tier illustrations. The licensing for illustrations on The i Spot are Rights-Managed (RM), however, the staff at The i Spot is available to help with, and process, requests for extended licenses for special uses. Currently, you’ll find more than 37,000 illustrations from top artists around the world on this site. Their platform is also very user-friendly, making it a worthy first stop on your list. The iSpot doesn’t offer up a specific vector search on their site, but simply adding the word vector to the search bar when looking for images is enough to produce the results you’re looking for.

Laughing Stock

Laughing Stock is where you’re going to find all the visual inspiration you need for elevate your content to the top tier. This site offers original stock illustrations, along with stock animations, that all pack an incredible visual punch. Think bold lines and stand-out graphics. The quality of illustrations on Laughing Stock is inspiring, and if you happen to find an artist that you love, they make it easy to follow along with their portfolio. On Laughing Stock, you can even hire an illustration if you have special visual content needs. The Laughing Stock library is also Rights-Managed, meaning that you tell them when and how you plan on using the image and pay a licensing fee for that usage only.

Illustration Source

Illustration Source touts themselves as being one of the largest and most established platforms in the stock illustration industry. Take a look through their collections, and you’ll understand immediately that they’re not just tooting their own horn. They’re committed to working only with the top illustrators and offering their collections to a worldwide audience. Illustration Source also offers to put you in contact with their artists for special custom assignments. There are many ways to filter your search on Illustration Source, however, filtering by vector images isn’t one of them. If you can’t find what you need, Illustration Source will help create it for you. The images on the Illustration Source are also under a Rights Managed license. It’s also important to note that in Illustration Source’s terms and conditions, they disallow the use of images from their site to be used in connection with certain sensitive subject unless prior authorization is granted.

CSA Images

CSA Images is the largest, wholly-owned collection library of stock illustrations in the entire world. Their catalogue contains more than 100,000 images and offers practically endless potential for finding the stock illustrations to make your brand stand out. The illustrations that you’ll find on CSA Images are top tier, museum quality. If you’re interested in vector images on this site, just type it into the search bar to produce results. CSA Images also has an exclusive arrangement with Getty Images. This means if you’re already a fan of Getty Images, you’re going to also find a selection of CSA Images on the Getty site. CSA images offer both standard licensing and extended licensing on request.

Uses for Stock Illustrations

In the broadest sense, stock illustrations can be used at any time you have a need for visual projects. That said, there are times when quality stock illustrations are going to perform better than others. For instance, you see a lot of stock photography attached to blogs and marketing material where evoking realism and emotion is key. You might get an emotional response with stock illustrations, but the realism factor is missing. One thing to remember is there’s more fluidity to illustrations. They’re interpretive and can often be used in a range of applications. Their job is to communicate a theme and fire up the imagination, rather than helping someone feel more connected to your customers on an emotional level. The right stock illustration can also be insanely memorable and work toward building an image for your brand – so choose wisely. To give you a better idea of when to push the stock images aside in favour of illustrations, here are a few situations that call for high-quality stock artwork.

Photography is impractical. There are occasions when the visual imagery you’d like to use is impossible to acquire. If you’re struggling to find a theme that goes along with your project or marketing material, illustrations offer more creative freedom and fill in the gaps that photography can leave behind.
You have a story to tell. We’re not talking about an actual storybook type of story here (although that applies as well) but rather something more like a brand narrative. It can easier, and more effective, to find illustrations that play along with your storyline.
You have infographics on your mind. Infographics are insanely popular nuggets of visual content – and they seldom work with photographic images. Illustrations and other types of digital stock artwork fill this need beautifully.

These are a few of the reasons why you should take advantage of the great catalogues of quality stock illustrations out there, but you might still be wondering about the “when”. When is it appropriate to use this type of stock work in your materials, and when will it provide the greatest benefit from a business standpoint? The use of stock illustrations is appropriate in a range of uses, across practically all industries. For example, an owner of a small, local café might tap into stock illustrations to help form their brand image, by including engaging, themed curated illustrations on their promotional material, business cards, menu board, or even the cup their customers sip their delicious drinks from. Stock illustrations sites are also a great resource for marketers, especially those who work in digital marketing, where it can be challenging to cultivate an image and attract target audiences using standard stock photography that all seems to fit into the same mould. Those who work more exclusively in an artistic capacity can also benefit from the selections of stock illustration sites. Graphic designers, who are always looking for a refreshing visual perspective for their clients, can tap into the illustrations and vector images that fill the libraries of the sites mentioned above. Stock illustration collection provides you access to an incredible range of visual material created by many different talented artists.

Stock illustrations can work perfectly for a variety of projects, including:

Posters
Flyers
Magazines
Teaching materials
Books/brochures
Animated presentations
Short videos
Social media posts
Infographics

Should You Ever Avoid Using Stock Illustrations?

There is, of course, the question of whether it’s ever just a straight-up bad idea to use stock illustrations. Of course, the answer to this is yes – just like there are times when you’ll want to avoid other types of stock media in your materials. One area that it’s important to be especially careful with is using stock illustrations in anything that’s associated with your logo or brand identity. The license that you purchased with your use agreement likely didn’t cover using the image as any type of trademarked work. For example, purchasing a graphical illustration to use as the banner of your social media page is one thing. Scaling it down and using it as a trademarked logo is another. Opt for a unique design in anything that you may attach a trademark to at some point. Also, as with all things, quality is always uber-important. You don’t want your illustrations to look like they came courtesy of your 5-year-old nephew. Quality is key with stock illustrations, making it extra important to source visual content only from sites that are committed to providing top quality artwork. If you can’t find a quality illustration that fits your needs, it’s best to reconsider your approach rather than take chances with an inferior visual. Sometimes customers are also asking to get good icons which we can recommend Icontail for.

A Few Final Words About Stock Illustrations

When choosing stock illustrations, it’s important to remember that there’s an artist behind the work, and each time you pay for their art, you’re supporting their talent. It’s entirely possible that you won’t find exactly what you’re looking for on any stock illustration site. We invite you to read our advice on how to choose the best visuals for your marketing and content needs, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for then custom illustrations are always worthy of consideration. If you’d like to know more about the ins and out of stock images, Stock Photo Secrets is happy to help by offering the advice you need. We encourage you to check out the high-quality stock illustration sites listed here and to enjoy exploring the potential these fantastic artists can provide for your business.

Where You Can Find Great Images That Are Not Stock Photography

Posted by Jack on September 10, 2019 in Avoid Cliché Images, not stock photography, Not Stock Photos, Photocase, Stock Photo Buyers Guide, unique stock images, unique stock photos

It doesn’t take a marketing guru to understand that today’s consumer has become very visual. Try scrolling through social media, an online advertisement, or just browsing one of your favorite blogs. What you’ll discover is that imagery is how we communicate, and it almost always speaks louder than words. Read on to learn about not stock photography that will set your brand apart, and then head over to this article to discover more about why you’re going to love unique images for your content.

The big question is: where do businesses like yours source the images they need to stand out and get noticed online? There are plenty of stock photography sites, but to be honest, many of them feel a little cheesy and lacking inspiration – and that’s being kind.

Are there sources for businesses that do not want stock photos touching their content? Can you cultivate a visual image without paying for a professional photographer? Are you doomed to relying on less than adequate stock photos, or is there a real, viable solution? Here’s our take on it.

Man photographed man and woman, all sitting on big letters outside

You want to know immediately, where there to find not stock photos? Then have a look at Photocase!

Is There Such a Thing As Unique Not Stock Photography?

Here’s the thing about stock photos. Your choice of images, whether for an ad, social media, blog, or other marketing material, directly influence how authentic and credible you appear to your audience. When a digital consumer is looking at any type of content associated with your business, visual imagery used throughout your marketing speaks louder than words.

The challenge that many businesses like yours face is finding stock photography that is not stock photography. By this, we mean stock images that don’t look like something you pulled from the same stock photo site that everyone else is using. The thing to remember about stock photography is that anyone can have access to it, and that means it’s exponentially harder to find images that help you stand out as unique and creative. If you’re looking for to really step outside the box with a few oddball photos, read this great article on finding the weird stock photos.

Quality is another factor that adds to the issue. Depending on where you source your stock photography, there can be an incredible range of quality – from high quality, professional-looking images to those that look like they were snapped by a 5-year-old from their parent’s phone. Of course, savvy businesses are going to opt for the higher quality images, which leads to a ton of repetitiveness in the images chosen.

This leads many, including you, to begin wondering if there’s even such a thing as creative stock photography. It’s a valid question and one that many think they already have the answer to. It seems that all stock images share similar themes, or that the models all wear the same expressions, making it difficult to tell one image apart from the other – even if they’re actually quite different.

Fortunately, what was just described is a previous era of stock photography. Today, there are not only great resources for unique stock photography, but the focus of the stock image artist has changed. Many of them are no longer looking to fill the standard commercial niche. They understand the value of originality and realism in their work and strive to bring images to the plate that meet the expectations of a more discerning audience.

Today, it’s easier to find collections that are trendy, relevant, carry marketing value, and above all else – are unique. There are photographers out there filling the “not stock” niche by continually producing images that fall outside of the stock mould. Accessing them is all about knowing where to look for images that can be classified as “not stock photography”.

Knowing Where To Look for Quality Images That Are Not Stock Photography

Woman stretches thumb up from driving car on country road

Let us guess, you’ve done a little browsing of the Internet on your own and have come up with a handful of stock image sites that you’re reasonably pleased with. We’re not going to argue that there are a handful of photo sites out there that exceed expectations and know-how to deliver the goods when it comes to quality stock photography.

What we are willing to say about some of those sites is where they exceed expectations in terms of quality, depth of selection, and price, they lack in uniqueness. By this, we mean there are some common themes among many of these sites, and at the end of the day, all the images tend to start blending together. You want to stand out and set your brand apart, so something like this just isn’t going to do.

This has prompted a few sites to emerge that promote themselves as being the antithesis of stock photography. The idea is that anyone who subscribes has continual access to new, engaging images that are unlike anything else that can be found on stock photo sites.

This is a great concept.

You might be familiar with sites like Death to Stock that work along with the very premise we just mentioned. The only downfall to some of these sites is their focus on uniqueness limits their selection. For businesses that have growing photography needs, some of these sites can be a little limiting in what they offer.

Is there a perfect compromise between cheesy stock photography sites and elitist not stock photography suppliers? We think so and would like to suggest Photocase as the perfect fit. Photocase features an extensive library of curated images that are all nicely categorized into themes that make browsing easy.

What makes Photocase a top alternative to not stock photography sites is their focus on images that are fresh, authentic, and ooze real-life emotions. These photos are perfect for branding on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms. You can learn more about Photocase by reading our full review of their top-notch agency.

As mentioned, quantity is something that sets Photocase apart. That’s not to say they’ve sacrificed quality for quantity because they haven’t. But the depth of their selection provides their customers with the opportunity for a higher level of creative freedom. The size of their collection also means they can offer unique images at an affordable value. Read more about what sets Photocase apart from some of the other stock image platforms as top resource businesses. You can also take advantage of this offer for 5 free credits + 10% off from Photocase.

7 Reasons to Avoid Cliché Images in Favor of Not Stock Photography

Girl with hijabi taking selfie with Dutch fan

If you’ve spent any amount of time perusing stock image sites, you know there are definitely some images that stand out in the crowd and might even seem perfectly aligned with the message you want to deliver with your content. The question you’re asking yourself is probably “why not use stock photography on your website?”.

By now, you should have an idea of what separates standard stock photography from not stock photography but in case you need it spelt out a little more clearly, here are a few of the reasons why you should avoid standard stock photography like the plague.

Zero originality. So many stock images have a been there, done that feel to them. You don’t want the image of flat, lifeless, and overused associated with your brand.
An awkward fit. There are stock images that “almost” fit what you’re looking for but fall short of encompassing your true brand identity. It’s like wearing a bad fitting jacket to an interview.
Too vague. Standard stock images are designed for an appeal to a broad audience. Because of this, they’re often too vague to hold any real value.
Familiar faces. Have you noticed that so much stock photography features the same models over and over? Yeah, so has your audience, and they’ll smell your weak attempts at originality a mile away.
Mistaken brand identity. If a customer recognizes an image from multiple sites, the chance of them blending those businesses together in their mind increases. Plus, if an image conveys one message on your site and a completely different message on another, it can lead to brand confusion.
Insincerity. There’s no shortage of stock photography that features individuals of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The problem is these images often feel staged and forced, rather than natural. This can make your brand feel insincere.

Finally, the most important reason you should avoid standard stock photography is simply that you can. Why risk any of the above downfalls when you can find beautiful, relevant, and unique stock images on sites like Photocase. To get a better idea of what we’re talking about here, visit Photocase to browse a few of the images and see for yourself.

What To Look For In Unique Not Stock Photography

Paper boat on the high seas, clouds on the horizon

Now that we’ve covered why you should avoid the standard stock photo, it seems like a good time to dig a little deeper into what makes for an exceptional image that falls into the not stock photography category.

First, the golden rule of choosing unique not stock photography is to avoid including an image just for the sake of using it. It might be that an incredible image catches your eye, and you can’t break yourself away from the power it exudes. Well, this is great but if it isn’t aligned with your content, then you’re going to leave your audience scratching their heads, rather than being wowed by your artistic eye. And that's not exactly a marketer’s goal.

Start with an idea of what you’re looking for. What type of message do you want to convey, what type of image is going to contribute to developing that image, and help connect you with your audience? These are your important starting points.

Next, with those basics out of the way, here are few pointers for helping you identify unique not stock photography that will perform in every way you need it to. After you browse this list, you can also check out our guide on how to choose and download the best visual content for your marketing needs.

Never compromise on quality. Each image you choose should be clean and crisp, with all the vital elements in clear focus.
Focus on individuality. Does an image look like something you’ve seen before? If so, skip it. If you can’t remember, then still skip it because it means there’s nothing memorable or individually striking about the photograph.
Mirror your audience. If there are people in your stock photography, ensure they mirror the audience you want to reach, including main demographics, along with other details like style, hobbies, and attitude. This should be a key focus in your branding strategy.
Tell a story. Does the image tell the story of your text, even if the viewer never scrolls past the first paragraph? The idea is to use imagery as a teaser for the content you’re providing.
Focus on realism. Do the subjects in the image look natural? It’s easy to spot a posed, unrealistic image a mile away. Look for images that convey emotions and scenarios your audience can relate to.
Be consistent. If you’re using multiple images on your website, in marketing material, or in your social media content, it’s so important to keep consistency in mind. This means consistency in the type of image and concept, but also in quality and the use of color.
Remember that color matters. Black and white is fine for some occasions but where color is concerned, look for richly defined, contrasting colors that pop and catch the audience’s attention.
Before you get your heart set on an image, you should always take the time to do a little background work. A simple Google image search will tell you whether this image can be found on numerous stock photography sites – which means there’s a greater chance it’s already overused. You’ll also want to research the licensing and whether it’s appropriate for how you plan on using the image. Without this step, you could find yourself in some seriously unpleasant hot water.

A Word About Legalities and Ethics Regarding Not Stock Photography

It’s important to touch on the topic of legalities and ethics. You know those free stock photo sites you visit, the ones with no attribution, free for commercial use licenses? There are a few reasons you should think twice before using them. They’re overused and often lacking real quality. But, that aside, there’s another issue to consider – whether it’s both legal and ethical to use these images in your project.

True, they might have licensing associated with them that leads one to believe they’re in the free and clear from a legal standpoint. Unfortunately, and this seems to be more of an issue with free stock image sites, you can’t be entirely sure that the subject of the images have given their permission for their likeness to be used. It’s easy enough for a designer or photographer to snap a picture and upload onto one of these sites, but quite another to ensure they’ve covered all their bases as far as permissions are concerned.

Permission for subjects isn’t where the legal issues end with some stock images. Does the image contain a brand name product that can be clearly identified by it’s logo or other likeness? Does the image contain a well-known monument or sightseeing location? In both these cases, there can be trademark and other licensing issues that haven’t been addressed. Trust that a big brand name isn’t going to be keen on letting just anyone use their likeness, especially when they don’t know the context it’s being used in.

Claiming that an image had all the proper licensing will only get you so far. As the person who is purchasing and publishing the image, you carry a certain amount of responsibility for ensuring all the legal guidelines are adhered to. Your best bet for this is to work with a reputable supplier of images who isn’t just out to source as many stock photos as possible to pad their library. It takes time and effort to curate a high quality, properly licensed collection.

That said, even if you can legally use a stock image, the question about ethic remains. If it feels like you’re getting away with something, or skirting around a legal technicality, put the image down and run for the hills. In an age when word spreads around the Internet in a blink of an eye, the last thing you want is to have your brand associated with a scandal or ethical issue.

Choosing Not Stock Photos for Your Project

If there’s one truth you already know, it’s that your business and your reputation are way too important to tarnish with bad stock photography. Trust there are refreshing, relevant, and unique images out there that are not bad stock photography – and you don’t even need to discover some obscure source to work with them. Photocase has the selection of quality, unique images you need for all your business and marketing needs. Stop what you’re doing, and spend a few minutes browsing the Photocase collection. We promise it won’t take more than a minute or two before you understand exactly what we mean.

The post Where You Can Find Great Images That Are Not Stock Photography appeared first on Stock Photo Secrets.

Why Is It Important to Use Good Stock Photos

Photocase as an Alternative to Death to Stock Photo

How Critical Is Photography to Marketing?

Not Sure If a Stock Photo You Choose Has Been Overused to Death?

Who Says Stock Photography Has to Be Serious and Boring?

Learn More About Photocase as an Alternative to Death to Stock Photo

The need for high-quality images

Why use stock photos?

Will using stock photos hurt my brand image?

Legal implications

Why you should refrain from using images from Google

Understanding Copyright, its Limitations, and Usage Rules

Restrictions and Exceptions to Copyright Law

Fair Use Doctrine

Key licensing terms and definitions

Seat license

End-user / End-product

Single & multiple application

Multi-domain and Multiple clients

Editorial use and commercial use

Two Common Types of Licenses Stock Image Agencies Offer

1. Royalty-free image license

Restrictions to Usage of Royalty-Free Images

2. Rights-Managed image license

Attributions: how and when to credit photo

Ethical concerns

Using stock photos to drive user engagement

Protecting yourself

Best practices

Key Takeaways

High-quality images that don’t break the bank

Stock Photo Sites – Free Trials

Adobe Stock – The Free Trial Version for anyone

Photocase – Free Trial includes 5 Free Credits

Dreamstime – Explore the 1-Week Free Trial

Stock Photo Sites – Best On A Budget (not free but cheap)

99Club by Stock Photo Secrets – Easy Access for a Small Fee

Bigstock – Each day 5 royalty-free images / 7 days

Stock Photo Sites – Free Images

Shutterstock – Free Images for Creative Users

iStock – Flexible Plans to Suit Every Budget

Depositphotos – 5 free Images for your Creative Needs

Getty Images – World-Class Editorial Images at Special Price

Stock Photo Trials to Suit Everyone

Introduction to Royalty-Free Stock Illustrations and Vectors

Are There Any Good Agencies to Download them for Websites?

iStock – Quality and Affordable Stock Illustrations

Adobe Stock – Trusted Resource in Quality Stock Art

Stock Photo Secrets Shop – Beautiful, Royalty-Free Illustrations

Offset by Shutterstock

Stock Agencies Devoted Specifically to Stock Illustrations

IKON Images

The i Spot

Laughing Stock

Illustration Source

CSA Images

Uses for Stock Illustrations

Stock illustrations can work perfectly for a variety of projects, including:

Featured stock illustration categories

Should You Ever Avoid Using Stock Illustrations?

A Few Final Words About Stock Illustrations

Is There Such a Thing As Unique Not Stock Photography?

Knowing Where To Look for Quality Images That Are Not Stock Photography

7 Reasons to Avoid Cliché Images in Favor of Not Stock Photography

What To Look For In Unique Not Stock Photography

A Word About Legalities and Ethics Regarding Not Stock Photography

Choosing Not Stock Photos for Your Project