Diversity in Stock Photography
A partial view of a person of color searching for stock photography on their laptop. The headline reads, “Let’s talk about diversity in stock photography.”
Let’s talk about diversity in stock photography. When a project doesn’t have the budget for a custom photoshoot, designers often turn to stock. In addition to sourcing quality, natural photos that match the brand’s aesthetic, designers need to see every image selection as an opportunity to incorporate diversity and inclusion into their visuals while being extremely thoughtful about their choices.
You can find diverse options on go-to stock sites like Unsplash, Pexels, iStock, and Stocksy United, but have you tried TONL, Nappy, Diversity Photos, and pocstock? Those are great additional resources to check out.
Here are some of the general guidelines we follow at Pono when selecting stock photography, from our DE&I Starter Guide:
• Be as inclusive of different people, environments, and experiences in your projects as possible. More representation gives the opportunity for more people to engage and identify with your work.
• Make choices with integrity. Do not exaggerate or stereotype any particular individual, group, culture, belief, etc.
• Being inclusive and diverse should oftentimes be subtle; it’s not a call for attention, it just needs to “be.”
• Think beyond your own idea of what makes up the majority. Do as much as possible to consider and include representation and accommodations for all people.
Finding stock photos that live up to these standards isn’t easy. It takes commitment to find images that represent diverse cultures, bodies, and experiences, but it’s important not to settle for less. Searching for visuals that represent multiple forms of diversity is an act of inclusion in itself. The more we use these search terms, the more we demonstrate to these sites what we want to see.
We have a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide for creatives that covers this topic (and more) that we’re happy to share. Take a look at www.pono.design/dei
#DiversityEquityInclusion #Accessibility #Inclusion #Diversity #StockPhotography #DesignStudio #CreativeAgency
A person who is plus-size, has light skin, a nose piercing, and a short haircut is wearing a blazer and working on their laptop.
Three people with different skin tones (one has vitiligo) and hairstyles of different lengths and textures are working together and looking at a computer screen.
A person who presents as female, with light skin and Down syndrome, is wearing a blazer and smiling while sitting in a cafe with a latte.
Four people working at a table. One person who presents as female has long, curly hair and darker skin; another person who presents as female has light skin and no hair. All are professionally dressed and appear to be collaborating on a project.
An Indigenous person who presents as female, is plus size, and who has a traditional face tattoo on her chin is sitting on some steps in a theater-style office setting holding a notebook.
Text reads, “Searching for visuals that represent multiple forms of diversity is an act of inclusion in itself. The more we use these search terms, the more we demonstrate to these sites what we want to see.”
An image of the cover of Pono’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Guide with text that reads, “Check out our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Guide for the creative industry to learn more: www.pono.design/dei”