The problem of stock photos … um… that’s not the Space Needle!
This is a great (or is it terrible) example of how careless use of stock photography can backfire. The ad was trying to create a sense of place by using a stock photo of a happy family for an apartment in Seattle, but the background of the photo clearly showed the One World Trade Center in New York City. This created a jarring disconnect between the image and the text, and it made the ad look unprofessional and misleading.
This is a reminder that it’s important to carefully choose stock photos that are relevant to your target audience and that accurately reflect the location. If you’re not sure which photos to use, it’s a good idea to hire a professional photographer to take photos specifically for your campaign.
Here are some tips for choosing stock photos that won’t backfire:
- Make sure the photos are relevant to your target audience.
- Choose photos that accurately reflect the location of your business.
- Avoid using cheesy or outdated stock photos.
- Pay attention to the details in the photos, such as the background and the clothing of the people in the photos.
- Get feedback from others before you use the photos in your campaign.
By following these tips, you can avoid making the same mistake as the apartment building in Seattle and create effective and professional marketing materials.
