How Do I Even … Use Stock Images?
One question we’ve gotten since we released our first sets of stock images is exactly how to use the images, and why should you even use an image that you, personally, didn’t take. We want to talk to you today about why you should be using stock images, and give you a few examples of how to leverage them for your business.
What, exactly, is a stock photo?
First, let’s cover what a stock photo is. Stock photos are typically found on sites like Getty Images or Shutterstock, where you search for “small child walking” or another term/phrase. Often, you are given thousands of options to choose from, which then you can turn around and use to market for whatever purpose you’re intending. You, the customer, pay to license the image — that is, you pay for permission to use the image. It’s a nice little way to thank the photographer for taking the image and allowing you to use it — it saves you thousands of dollars in equipment, potential modeling fees, or even purchasing items to be photographed…and it also saves you a ton of time.
Larger stock image outfits aren’t for everyone, though. Truthfully, you could spend hours looking for images and never scratch the surface! Autumn Lane Paperie has a very specific type of client — the vast majority of our clients (probably around 97-98%!) are female small business owners — some professionals, some creatives, some looking to make their hobby look beautiful. We wanted to create images that work specifically for you. The ultimate goal is for the images to enhance what you, as a business, show other people. Stock sets are specifically developed and created with you in mind and the general aesthetic you’ve already shown you appreciate! Whether you’re an essential oil distributor, health coach, selling clothes at your boutique, love books or building your own little space on the web, we’ve got something that will fit for you. (And if we don’t, just wait — we’ve got what seems like a bajillion sets in the works!) The possibilities are endless and we will continue to think of you and grow along side you.
Why should you use a stock photo?
We can name a few great reasons why you should use a stock photo, or a set of stock photos…or even multiple sets! Stock images are great “support” for your brand — the same way you might hire an accountant to crunch your numbers, or you might hire a cashier because you’re so busy yourself…stock images are a helping hand. We mentioned above that it saves you time & money, and we definitely mean that. It’s ok to rely on stock images to further your brand. It enables you to promote cohesion within your brand, provided that you’ve chosen the correct pack of images to use in conjunction with your own materials.
What can you do with stock photos?
A lot, actually! Let me preface this with … this is how you can use our stock photos. Our licensing terms allows for this, but we cannot speak for licensing terms for other stock photographers or stock image websites. Please, please, please, check the licensing terms for whatever you are purchasing & downloading to ensure that you are abiding by licensing terms!
We’ve whipped up a few examples for how to use these lovely things! Feel free to click those images, too — it’ll take you directly to the image set we’re featuring!
Sharing on Facebook, Instagram, & more — we would recommend using a program like Photoshop or PicMonkey to overlay your own text onto the image, so that you have an interesting little message that captures attention! Share an inspirational quote with your followers, tell them about your sale, and so on.
Blog posts, websites or marketing materials — similar to the above option, use these beauties on the front page of your website to put your best virtual foot forward, or use them in your blog posts.
You could use them to make business cards with your gorgeous new logo. Don’t forget brochures, flyers or postcards, either!
The great thing about the stock photos is how cohesive, clean and versatile they can be. And easily they’re accessed. Digital downloads mean they immediately become available to use however you need them to be. We’d love for you to check out our growing collection of images! Feel free to reach out with any questions you have!
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