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Stock Photos are the worst

FREE Downloadable Professional Business Stock Photos

Jan 6, 2016/in Blogging, Consumer Behaviour, Customer Service, Human Resources, Marketing/by Jeph Maystruck

1. The “It smells like success in here!” “Nah, it’s just COFFEE!” stock photo

Professional Stock Photos-the two folks enjoying a coffee

People seem to like to look off into the distance in stock photos, why? See it looks so weird! Stop using photos like this on your website please.

2. The “Intense conversation while working the help desk, texting the boss and making a phone call!” stock photo or what we like to call “completely useless multi-tasking guy”.

Professional Stock Photos-the on the phone with someone while texting

It’s the best when people are photographed doing things that they would NEVER do in real life. Who the hell are these people and photographers thinking that photos like this would be good to use for your company! Stop it with the completely useless multi-tasking guy!

3. The “casually reading a thought-provoking book” stock photo guy.

Professional Stock Photos-what is this reading

Could you imagine, the boss says “it’s photo day, I want you to photograph me while reading a smart book, I think investors will like that!” I don’t think they will.

4. The Helpdesk guy is back! The “I have one more really annoying tidbit of information for you before you hang up the phone on me.” Again, with the useless technology in the right hand. Why?!

Professional Stock Photos-the wait a minute, i have one more really important something to tell you

The worst has to be those ones with that look that someone’s $&@# don’t stink. Definitely going to want to avoid these photos.

5. The “awkward use of a tool that shouldn’t be used” stock photo guy.

Professional Stock Photos-the randomly doing something that doesnt make any sense

And always with the coffee, why do they always have the coffee cup?!

6. The “lets have a jolly good day” guy.

Professional Stock Photos-the im ready for a new day, you
Always with the coffee. First, no one stands like this unless you’re in a musical troop. Second, if you look like that in our office I’ll throw an orange at you…(seriously, just ask Conrad). The poor people who have stand in for stock photos and keep a face for an amount of time, I feel for you people.

 

7. The “isn’t it amazing!? We can now see what you put on your website here on a smartphone!” mobile stock photo guy.

Professional Stock Photos-the we can make a mobile and a desktop website

Isn’t technology great? Everything is on mobile now. Especially your face! Google everything, Google on your phone all day. Imagine what our babies will be like in 5-10 years when they have phones. It’ll be a different world, a different world still plagued with brutal, just god awful stock photography.

8. The “hey big slugger, we’re all proud of you over here, keep atter big batter!” stock photo guy.

Professional Stock Photos-the tom I got it, I really got it

You get that feeling this guy is like that boss from Office Space? Me neither.

9. The “talking to the boss when you finally beat solitaire for the first time” stock photo.

Professional Stock Photos-the get on the horn, we found something the boss needs to know about

The ones with multiple people are just something special. And the look like the computer is about to turn into a dinosaur.

10. The “you got the helpdesk and we’re having a great day, what’s your favourite color!?” stock photo.

Professional Stock Photos-the im talking to the customer while engaging in coffee ya

Overly excited helpdesk guy, we salute you. With coffee in hand and headset engaged, this gamer is ready for anything! Tighten your suspenders, today’s going to be a fun ONE!!!

11. The “if I talked on the phone in front of a mirror I’d kick my own ass” stock photo guy with bad smile.

Professional Stock Photos-the hahahahahaha moment

The cheesy smiles, they are abundant. We don’t need these fake looking people haunting your website, please pick a photo with a normal smile? Or hey better yet maybe don’t use stock photography and take your own photographs? A picture can say a lot about your company and brand.

12. The “this book is too good to keep my eyes open” stock photo

Professional Stock Photos-the im ammused by a good book

Not a good look for anyone unless you have chronic pink eye! Open your eyes, let people look into your soul! Or at the very least ensure they know you aren’t sleeping.

13. The “Great Scott we got it!!  No we didn’t” stock photo. Or what we like to call “excited yet confused”.

Professional Stock Photos-the surprised and the confused

more-people-recycling-is-better-for-the-planet-creative options regina

Tags: About us, business, creating holy shit moments, culture, free downloadable wallpapers, fun, People first, personal branding, photography, pictures, purple cow, stock photos, stratlab, team, technology, walks with Jeph, WWED, young professionals
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https://strategylab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Stock-Photos-are-the-worst.jpg 2912 4368 Jeph Maystruck /wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SL-2023-Logo-White-1030x363.png Jeph Maystruck2016-01-06 11:58:362018-02-14 00:18:55FREE Downloadable Professional Business Stock Photos
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Mark Johnston
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A great group that does great work! High recommend!!
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Paula Estin
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The Stratlab team has been fantastic. In the last 2 years Stratlab has helped us to overhaul our website. I am not a tech person, but in working with Carter, Dustin, or Brandon, bit-by-bit we've been able to revolutionize our Events Guide from what it previously was. With pretty much every idea I've had, some I didn't even know if they were technically possible, these wizards have found a way to make them happen. They are also usually super quick to make requested changes or fix any weirdness that may arise. We've had one of the best-looking and most user-friendy tourism Events Guides in the country that even our residents are getting excited about using! You can tell these guys are passionate about their work and care about getting their customers exactly what they need & want. I'm sad that I'll no longer be working with this crew due to transitioning to another department at work, but I highly recommend the Strat Lab team for any web design project 👍👍
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M. Tolley
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I recently had the privilege of working with Brandon at StratLab, and the quality of his work is truly next‑level. After one quick call to share my vision for a bat demo video, he understood exactly what I needed, and delivered something far beyond what I imagined. His attention to detail, creative precision, and top‑tier expertise show what real professionalism looks like. Every frame, every transition, every moment was crafted with intention. He respected timelines, communicated clearly, and made the entire process effortless. I can only hope to work with Brandon again.
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I have been doing business with Strat Lab and since 2020. These guys have always been A1, put their best foot forward and delivered for all my personal or business needs. Thanks Team!
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Called StratLab for some questions regarding my website and had the pleasure of speaking with Jeph. More business's need people like Jeph. Hope I can work with you guys down the road.
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The StratLab team are top shelf humans! (and pretty decent marketers ;) that understand how to set your organization up for online (and in person) success, as well as help position you as a reputable and trusted source within your market. Always great dealing with Jeph & Brandon! "If you are awesome online, you better be awesome offline." ~Jeph Maystruck
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Strategy Lab is great to work with! I’ve had the opportunity to hire them to design our webpage, create sections, and upload over 3,000 photos and documents. I give them a 5- Star review-the work they did exceeded my expectations! I look forward to our continued collaboration-thank you Strat Lab!! Annette M. Frazier-Cowessess First Nation.
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