Debunking 10 Myths About Stock Photography

Ah, stock photography—the unsung hero of the digital world since the 1920s. The lifeblood of many websites, marketing campaigns, and social media posts. Yet, it’s still obscured in a cloud of myths and misconceptions about its utility, accessibility, originality, and authenticity. Why?

Well, it might be due to a lack of savvy about the changes shaping the industry today. But we’ll set the record straight once and for all. We’re about to demystify 10 myths about stock photography and help you master hunting down great photos and weaving them seamlessly into your creative projects. Let’s go!

Myth 1: Stock photography vs Google Images

Stock photography myths 1

Ready for a legal tightrope?

Dipping into Google Images for your visuals? Be careful! Unless those images are labeled for reuse, you’re wading into dark legal waters. When you use images without proper licenses, you illegally take someone else’s work without crediting or compensating the artist. It’s like borrowing your neighbor’s car without asking—a lawsuit can happen.

On the other hand, stock photographers upload their images to platforms like ours and license their work with model and property release forms. So when you buy a stock photo, you don’t just get an image. You also get the legal right to use this image in your projects.

Myth 2: Accessibility

Stock photography myths 2

The world is your oyster if you know how to open it

Stock photo libraries are open to everyone, but your search methods make all the difference. Worried about your competitors using the same images? Don’t be. With over 300 million royalty-free files in our library, finding something unique is easier than you think. What’s even better, new images, videos, and music tracks are added every day.

Take your time to brainstorm and tweak your search by orientation, medium, and color schemes—you’ll find hidden gems that help you stand out. Add files to Favorites, filter by author, and find similar files if you like a particular style.

Myth 3: It’s a question of taste

Stock photography myths 3

Goodbye clichés, hello creativity

The old satire of stock photos being cheesy and generic is one of the greatest myths. While we all know the classic clichés—think business people shaking hands or a happy family fake grinning at the camera—stock photography has evolved ever since.

Today, you can find a wide variety of dynamic and trendy visuals. It all depends on how you search. Follow the latest trends, and you’ll discover that stock photos can be anything but ‘stocky’.

Myth 4: Prices and plans

Stock photography myths 4

Bang for your buck

Think stock photos are pricey? Think again. Conducting a professional photoshoot can cost you thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of dollars. But with stock images, you get high-quality visuals at a tiny fraction of the price.

Take Depositphotos’ flexible subscriptions, for instance, where images cost under $1 each. It’s an easy way to keep your branding and marketing communications fresh without emptying your wallet.

Myth 5: A matter of opinion

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Diversity at your fingertips

The idea that stock photos are limited or stale couldn’t be further from the truth. Stock platforms and agencies attract photographers worldwide, creating a truly global and ever-updating content pool.

If you’re not finding what you need, try being more creative with your keywords. Don’t give up, and dig deeper into the library. New files are literally added to platforms every minute, giving you an infinite choice of photography with any theme you want. Be it a zen garden, street fashion, home interior, sports car, or a specific and narrow request for your business. You might have to go past the first few pages, but finding a needed visual is worth it.

Myth 6: Putting in the effort

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The perfect image is out there

Can’t find the right image? It’s not because it doesn’t exist. It’s about knowing how and where to look. Thanks to the sharp eye of our content curators, especially for high-quality photography, we prepare weekly collections based on trending topics. These collections are your go-to place for creative and inspirational content, so you don’t have to spend hours sifting through endless options. Our platform is also useful when your image needs a quick edit, such as removing the background or upscaling.

Myth 7: Stock photography vs your own

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Cost-effective creativity

The belief that your own photos are always better overlooks these critical factors: taking great photos is not easy, and it’s costly. If you want studio-level visuals, you’ll need to hire people and organize custom photo shoots, which are pricey and time-consuming.

Stock photography has been a practical choice for years, as it offers professional files that are ready to be used in your projects immediately—and at a low cost. This is the main reason why we have millions of clients all over the world, some of whom have stayed with Depositphotos since its very beginning in 2009.

Myth 8: Level of professionals

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Meet the pros

There’s a misconception that stock photographers are amateurs. In reality, many are seasoned professionals. To detect talent on stock platforms, search for interviews, curated collections, and portfolios of top contributors. Real expertise and dedication to the craft are not that hard to see, as they immediately shine through the photos.

Myth 9: Free stock photography

Stock photography myths 9

Limits of freebies

Free stock photos are available, and some may find them enough for small-scale creative projects, with all the drawbacks that come along. However, smaller libraries and limited licenses can be a real hassle, especially if you plan on using the files for marketing campaigns targeted at thousands of people.

For a steady creative solution, invest in paid stock photos. It will give you access to a broader range of high-quality images, ensuring you find exactly what you need without legal worries.

Myth 10: Are we still talking about authenticity?

Stock photography myths 10

The real deal

Stock photography is constantly improving, especially in the realm of authenticity. Rest assured that photographers are increasingly capturing genuine moments and diverse subjects. They know they will only hit the mark when aligning with the modern demand for authenticity.

Of course, the decision between stock and custom photography should be based on your specific requirements, budget, and the nature of your project. And while you can certainly conduct your own shoots, remember that the expertise of professional stock photographers can save you time and effort while delivering stunning results.

Looking for an even quicker and more flexible way of getting unique visuals? Try our AI image generator and get commercially safe pictures with the help of our latest intelligent technology.

To sum up

The stock photography community is energetic, international, and ever-growing. Talented photographers cater to a wide array of themes and styles, so you can find images in several clicks.

With millions of vibrant photos at your fingertips, staying inspired and on-trend has never been easier. So, next time you need a creative ally, just come to Depositphotos.

Message us whenever you’re looking for a flexible solution for your business and need more information on what we’re offering.