4 tips for choosing the right stock photography

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2. Natural Always Wins

We have all seen our share of cheesy and generic stock photos like the corporate handshake or the

woman getting inspired in the middle of a field. When choosing stock photos, it is always going to be in

your best interest to select images that don’t look fake, posed or unnatural. The more authentic, the

better.

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3. Pick for Your Audience

If you are going to be speaking to an audience of corporate folks, then choose stock photos that are

corporate. If you represent a hip and cool agency, then choose photos that are hip and cool. Now, be

mindful: I don’t want you to “sell out.” Be proud of the brand you represent and let your photos reflect

your own authentic voice. However, when in doubt, follow the advice above.

Good Business:





Good Hip:





4. Pursue Relevance

As I write this blog post, a lot of stock photography is outdated. You don’t want to be talking about your

mobile marketing strategy while showing a picture of a flip phone. Also, make sure to pay attention to

items like fashion and technology because they are two of the biggest indicators of a dated or up-to-

date stock photo.

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So, are you ready to start choosing some new stock photography? Here’s a list of some free stock photo

sites:

Free Sites

S (http://www.stockfreeimages.com/?gclid=CLX2iufezL4CFTQQ7AodcWMAyQ)tock Free Images

(http://www.stockfreeimages.com/?gclid=CLX2iufezL4CFTQQ7AodcWMAyQ)

Free Images (http://www.freeimages.com/browse.phtml?f=download&id=572433)

morgueFile (http://www.morguefile.com/)

Free Range Stock (http://freerangestock.com/)

Pixel Perfect Digital (http://pixelperfectdigital.com/)

Creative Commons Search (http://search.creativecommons.org/)

Inexpensive Options

Veer (http://www.veer.com/)

Fotolia (http://www.fotolia.com/)

VectorStock (http://www.vectorstock.com/)

High Quality Options

G (http://www.gettyimages.com/)etty Images (http://www.gettyimages.com/)





Pond5 (http://www.pond5.com/)

iStockphoto (http://www.istockphoto.com/)

Jupiter Images (http://legacy.jupiterimages.com/)

Thinkstock (http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/)

Shutterstock (http://www.shutterstock.com/)

D (http://www.dreamstime.com/)reamstime (http://www.dreamstime.com/)

Start exploring — and don’t forget to have fun with it!

Author Bio

Scott Schwertly is the author of How to Be a Presentation God and CEO of Ethos3

(http://www.ethos3.com/) , a Nashville, TN-based presentation boutique providing professional

presentation design and training (http://www.ethos3.com/blog/) for national and international clients

ranging from Fortune 500 companies to branded individuals like Guy Kawasaki. If Scott is not working

with his team building presentations, you will find him in the pool, on the bike, or on a long run. Scott

lives in Nashville, TN with his wife and three dogs. He has a B.A. and M.B.A. from Harding University.

Find Scott on Google+ (https://plus.google.com/101200890915316339531?rel=author).

Photo: Violetkapia/Shutterstock (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-108055778/stock-photo-touch-tablet-

concept-images-streaming-in-hand.html?src=fCRA-iMv-gFEwc2QhtIcag-1-10)

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3 Comments 1

• •

Julie Anne, Writer for Hire •

I've used Fotolio, iStock and Shutterstock before. It's nice to know, however, that their's some free options.

We really won't get in trouble if we use the free stock photos in our presentations? That's probably what I

need, although I do have a boatload of PRL photos sitting on my computers right now.

• •

Augustus •

http://www.stocksy.com definitely belongs in that high quality category there...

• •

John Craft •

Also check out www.99phototricks.com


4 tips for choosing the right stock photography

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