It seems impossible to curate a collection of photos of your congregation, building and events that will fulfill this need. Enter ... stock photography.

According to a study published by Consumer Reports, on average, we're exposed to 247 images a day. Of these 247 images, we register about half. And this is just advertising, this doesn't count the images we see as we scroll through Facebook, photos attached to countless articles, blog posts and links to websites. 

This means the images you're using to promote events, to accompany blog posts, to engage online viewers of your website, have to be engaging. Your viewer has 246 other images to choose from. Why should they choose this one? 

With the heightened demand to include images with flyers, blog posts and even website pages, in order to hook your audience and get them reading your content, the number of photos necessary to get you through a "communications week" has grown. It seems impossible to curate a collection of photos of your congregation, building and events that will fulfill this need. Enter ... stock photography. 

Why you may need to use a stock photo:

  • You don't have the time or resources to hire a professional photographer.
  • You don't have the time or resources to obtain a professional photograph of a specific event, place or object.
  • You don't have the time or resources to collect the parental signatures necessary to print/publish photographs of the children in your congregation.

What to look for in a stock photo:

  • A Clear & Simple Subject – Always make sure there isn't too much going in the picture.
  • Purpose – Make sure the stock photo is more than just visually pleasing or engaging. It's first priority should always be to fulfill the purpose of your need.
  • One style - A lots of stock images mix crazy illustration with traditional photography. Stay professional by limiting yourself to the photographic style. If it has crazy flares, spirals, lights, or glitter, skip it.
  • Size – Stock photos are usually sold at different sizes ... make sure you purchase the right size for your project. If you purchase one too small, you will have to repurchase the photo in a larger size. 

Where to use a stock photo:

  • Blog post headers
  • Event promotion slides
  • e-news
  • Promotional postcards
  • Your website 

How to find a stock photo:

Paid Stock Photo Sources

Free Stock Photo Sources

 

Need more than just photos? Check out our free event graphic and sermon graphic downloads!