Instagram has had a big impact on stock imagery. Which trends have we seen within our photo library on Envato Elements. It is easier than ever for me to reach out directly to a particular client. However, it is also easier for all 7,96 billion people on the globe to do the same thing.
Social media has driven up demand for photographic products for customers in every sector. But it has also driven down the value of the assets we produce and led to a commodification of our services. Social media has brought many people together. But has also driven home deeper divisions in the public square.
Someone visiting the website of a financial advisor in Ohio will likely know the picture of the New York skyline on their About page isn’t actually the office’s backdrop. Stock photography is a cache of photographs and images created by third-party professional photographers and designers intended for use by other companies. Because images matter so much, businesses often turn to stock photography to populate their websites and social platforms, even though these images are often impersonal and generic. Businesses are spending billions on visual content, yet many unknowingly sabotage their efforts by relying on generic stock photography.
Trends including, an increased desire for authenticity, first-person perspective accounts and increased interest in social change are highlighted and communicated in real-time through social platforms like Instagram and the stock photography industry reflects these trends. Stock photography can’t convey your business’s specific message because it wasn’t created for it. The juxtaposed logos, forced cropping and overdramatized facial expressions endemic in modern stock photography just don’t resonate with audiences. The New York City (NYC) real estate market, with its vibrant mix of cultures and a population of about 8,5 million, is significantly influenced by these platforms.
Though stock photography has significant downsides, there are instances when well-considered stock image usage can work for your business. When a popular New York lifestyle influencer shares a post about the charm of Astoria, for example, it can drive interest and demand in that neighborhood. By moving away from generic stock photography and embracing authentic, custom visuals, your business can build stronger connections with customers, improve engagement rates, and create a distinctive brand presence that sets you apart from competitors using the same tired stock images. Many custom photography options cost less than annual stock subscriptions while delivering significantly higher engagement rates and brand authenticity.
If you want something truly original, you can buy very high-quality stock photography for exclusive use on your site; no other company can use that image without your permission. For example, a New York City real estate agent can create an Instagram post featuring a newly listed Tribeca loft, tagging relevant hashtags.