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Representative stock imagery: why your brand or business needs it.

by Lauren Burton

Using images which truly represent the people, place or community you are trying to target in your campaign is incredibly important. Namely, promoting inclusivity and diversity, challenging stereotypes, empowering marginalised communities, and building trust and engagement.


Promoting inclusivity and diversity:
Representative stock imagery can help to promote inclusivity and diversity by showcasing a range of individuals, groups, and perspectives. By using stock imagery that accurately reflects the population, organisations can signal their commitment to inclusivity and diversity, and can help to build trust and engagement with these communities.

Challenging stereotypes:
Representative stock imagery can also help to challenge stereotypes and promote a more nuanced and accurate depiction of diversity. By using stock imagery that portrays individuals and groups in an authentic way, organisations can help to combat preconceived notions and assumptions about different populations. This can help to promote more fair and accurate perceptions of diversity, and can also help to reduce discrimination and prejudice.

Young European female and young black male make food in their home kitchen together.
Image credit: Nancy Wang x Picky Bespoke. 

Empowering marginalised communities:
Authentic & inclusive imagery can help to empower marginalised communities and provide a platform for their voices and experiences. By collaborating with photographers from diverse backgrounds and working with them to document and showcase the unique perspectives and experiences of their communities, organisations can help to amplify their voices. This can help to promote greater visibility and recognition for these groups, and can also foster a sense of pride and belonging among members of these communities.

Young Indian female stands confidently leaning against a white shopfront window. She's on her phone.
Image credit: Boshi Wang x Picky Bespoke. 

Building trust and engagement:
Finally, representative stock imagery can help to build trust and engagement with constituents and stakeholders. By using stock imagery that accurately reflects the diversity of the population, organisations can create a sense of connection and relevance with their audiences. This can help to foster greater trust and engagement, and can also support the organisation's broader objectives.

Here at Picky, we’re working to create the most inclusive & diverse stock collection in the country. Images of real Aotearoa, real locations, real and diverse people doing real and diverse things. Representing New Zealand as it is now – gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, location and more. If you have any ideas on how we better achieve our mission, or just want to have a yarn, flick us a note at hello@picky.co.nz.