The past year after working with and speaking to many web designers I have noticed a common problem. Agencies and freelancers use a lot of stock photography, usually for clients. However, it is very difficult for them to find the right photo so they have to conduct photo shoots.

I have also been looking through stock photography sites to find images for some websites I was involved in and have had very little success. These two scenarios led me to want to build something better than the current option.

I would love to hear what good and bad experiences you have had with using stock sites to search for photos. All feedback will help create a business that will be a better alternative.

Communicate back to photographers exactly what designers are looking for.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Communicate back to photographers exactly what designers are looking for.

Thanks, thats awesome feedback. Even though it seems obvious it is not done. Are you a designer?

Nope, a developer & amateur photographer.

Use flicker for it and you can also integrate you photo stock gallery on your website easily.

Originally Posted by logoonlinepros

Use flicker for it and you can also integrate you photo stock gallery on your website easily.

Huh??? Do I take that you did not actually understand what the question was?


AND secondly; are you advocating stealing peoples pictures that they have uploaded to to Flickr to share with friends and aquqaintences?

The images being on Flickr does not make them free for you to steal, use or alter them for use on your own projects.

At the very least you should ASK the Flickr account holder for permission.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Huh??? Do I take that you did not actually understand what the question was?


AND secondly; are you advocating stealing peoples pictures that they have uploaded to to Flickr to share with friends and aquqaintences?

The images being on Flickr does not make them free for you to steal, use or alter them for use on your own projects.

At the very least you should ASK the Flickr account holder for permission.

People steal photos from Flickr all the time, its a huge problem. Whenever I want to use someones photo from Flickr, I always ask. I rarely get permission and therefore have to settle for stock.

I rarely get permission

maybe you are asking in the wrong way, or asking for permission for the wrong type photos.

The photographers that I know would be more than happy to allow non-commercial use of their images, with accreditation of course, unless you are asking for permission to use images of their friends or family, which opens up a different can of worms.

I use my own photos.......a digital camera and editor have worked so far.....

Sometimes can be a pain......but in the long run quicker and less aggravating...

Originally Posted by chrishirst

The photographers that I know would be more than happy to allow non-commercial use of their images

That's the issue right there... why would they do work for free? Most uses for the images are going to be commercial.

Many amateur photographers have a certain streak of vanity, and it "massages their ego" a little to know that someone has found their images interesting or useful.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Many amateur photographers have a certain streak of vanity, and it "massages their ego" a little to know that someone has found their images interesting or useful.

I find most believe they are the greatest photographers in the world and already have an ego because they know what the word "aperture" means.

There is really so much editing you can do until a threshold is reached. It is an issue with the photographer. Either they have it or they don't. If the pictures are consistently coming out awful, you should consider another photographer or have them really focus on editing it to the point of perfection.

Originally Posted by cantletugo

There is really so much editing you can do until a threshold is reached. It is an issue with the photographer. Either they have it or they don't. If the pictures are consistently coming out awful, you should consider another photographer or have them really focus on editing it to the point of perfection.

So, it is very important to you that the photographer gets the picture correct. How often do you get the exact image you need without having to edit it?

People use web designers because 'the right' template would be impossible to find. People use photographers because 'the right' stock photo would be impossible to find.