Inside Depositphotos’ Creative Universe: Top Projects You Can’t Miss
Over the years, Depositphotos has launched projects that do more than just promote content—they capture moments in time, cultural shifts, and the power of creativity in challenging circumstances. We’ve brought everything from hilarious campaigns to touching art collaborations, sharing stories that truly resonate with our community.
Today, we’re inviting you to travel back in time and revisit some of Depositphotos’ most memorable projects—the ones that stirred emotions, sparked inspiration, and left a lasting impression. Scroll on to see where creativity took us!
1. Weirdly Wonderful Searches 2023
Some of the best creative sparks come from the least obvious sources. For years, we collected the wildest search queries from the Depositphotos library—and then it hit us: we absolutely had to share them with everyone. So, what kind of weird stuff do people actually look for in stock libraries, you might ask? How about a cheeseburger in paradise, a bear-foot woman, or a squirrel playing piano? We’re not kidding! Check it out for yourself and get ready to laugh till you cry.
2. Instagram calendar for contributors (2020-2023)
Being a creator isn’t just about making cool stuff; it’s also about dealing with lots of challenges, both artistic and business-related. Where do you find good ideas? How can you anticipate audience demands? And what do you do when you’re stuck? To help with these timeless creative struggles, our team shared an Instagram calendar for contributors featuring key dates, major events, trending topics for the whole year, and practical insights for making the best-selling content.
3. The Revival Project (2022)
Since many members of the Depositphotos team are from Ukraine, we’ve been through some incredibly tough times in recent years. But throughout it all, we continue to stand with Ukraine and share the truth about the full-scale invasion.
In response to russia’s deliberate destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage, Depositphotos—in partnership with META HISTORY museum and the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine—launched the Revival project. We collaborated with local artists who shared personal stories about destroyed sites and created 30+ charity NFT artworks to support the restoration of Ukraine’s heritage. Explore the project to see how art can make a real impact!
4. Stock Photography Then and Now (2020)
Remember the early days of microstock photography? Back then, staged shots with cheesy lens flare, super bright colors, and overused ideas like “happy family” or “teamwork” were everywhere—from blog posts to billboards. But over the years, stock photography got a serious makeover. A fresh aesthetic eventually took over—one that favors candid visuals, real people, everyday moments, and minimal post-processing. In this project, we take you on a quick journey through time to show how stock photography evolved from stiff and staged to raw and genuine.
5. Authenticity 2.0 photography contest (2020)
Back in summer 2020, we hosted our first-ever photo contest—a global shoutout to independent artists everywhere. The idea was simple: total creative freedom, with one theme to guide it all—authenticity. We asked creators to spotlight the raw, unfiltered moments that define everyday life. And they delivered: 1,884 professionals joined in, sharing 5,200+ authentic visuals through #authenticity_is. Explore the most inspiring entries—our personal favorites and the winning shots.
6. #LockdownArt campaign (2020)
When the pandemic swept across the globe in 2020, the world shifted overnight. Suddenly, any face-to-face contact felt risky, and social isolation became the new normal. Despite being digitally connected, many felt more alone than ever.
Amid this uncertainty, Depositphotos launched the #LockdownArt campaign to support artists and inspire creativity, even in confinement. About 70 photographers worldwide answered the call with over 1,000 images capturing home living, intimate moments, and emotional highs and lows. Take a look at these powerful shots—a vivid reminder of what life felt like not so long ago.
7. Reimagining Record Covers (2017)
Ever wonder how your favorite record covers from 20, 30, or even 50 years ago would look today? We didn’t just wonder—we collaborated with 19 talented artists to reimagine them. From Abbey Road by The Beatles and Aladdin Sane by David Bowie to Kid A by Radiohead and Back to Black by Amy Winehouse—meet timeless music with a modern face: same soul, new style.
8. Music video: MEOW! (2017)
Calling all cat lovers with a sense of humor—this one’s for you! We bet this video will make you laugh. Set aside just four minutes of your time and enjoy a hilarious clip we created in collaboration with musical duo Cherie and Renno. For this project, we gave the artists access to hundreds of cat images, and the result was possibly the cat-iest video ever made. Hit play and let the feline craziness begin!
9. Alternative movie posters for Oscar-nominated films (2017)
Passionate about all things visual, the Depositphotos team keeps a close eye on iconic cultural moments, and the Oscars are no exception. In 2017, we launched a special project inspired by our favorite nominated films. We asked some of our most talented artists to create alternative posters for movies that stole the spotlight, from Arrival to La La Land. Take a look at the fresh spin on the stories that defined the year!
10. TV posters from stock photos (2016)
It only takes one image to spark a creative idea—and that’s exactly how this project was born. We dove into the Depositphotos library and reimagined stock photos as posters for iconic TV series like Stranger Things, Game of Thrones, Narcos, and others. The result was way cooler than we expected. Don’t believe it? See for yourself!
While you’re reading this, we’re already dreaming up new creative projects—packed with fresh ideas and visual inspiration. Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media to get the latest updates and a first look at what’s coming next!
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