A staggering amount of horrible stock photography is available online. We've all seen the pics. Heck, most of us have been guilty of using them at one point or another. For this slide show, the MarketingProfs marketing team had no problem quickly identifying the top offenders in the category of horribly overused corporate stock photos.

1. Top 12 Overused Stock Photos

2. A staggering amount of horrible stock photography is
available online. We've all seen the pics. Heck, most of us
have been guilty of using them at one point or another.
For this slide show, the MarketingProfs marketing team had
no problem quickly identifying the top offenders in the
category of horribly overused corporate stock photos.
Now check out our slideshow featuring the top 12 cliché
stock photos, and be sure to leave a comment about them
and the ones we missed!

3. 1. The Multicultural Team of Close Talkers
The Multicultural Team of Close Talkers is the perfect photo
to showcase a diverse workforce that likes to
work very closely together. Bonus points if more than five
people are using one piece of technology.

4. 2. The Headset Hottie
Use this photo when you want your call center to seem
friendly, customer-service oriented, and surprisingly
attractive.

5. 3. The Techno Yogi
Is your product or service so incredible that it makes the user
experience a Zen state? Well, then, this is the photo for you!

6. 4. The Hurdler
Can you help people overcome their biggest hurdles or
obstacles? Why not show them with this stock photo of a
businessman jumping over an actual hurdle?

7. 5. The Frustrated-at-Technology Guy
Do you want to remind your customers about the pitfalls of
your competitor's products? Do so with an image of a
frustrated man, woman, or child (you can take your pick; you

8. have plenty of options in stock-photo land!).

9. 6. The Eureka Moment
Use this photo when you want to convey how truly life-
changing your product is.

10. 7. The AARP Couple
Is your target audience over 50? Be sure to feature a couple
of silver foxes on your site to make Boomers feel at home
there!

11. 8. The Whiteboard Thinker
I've never seen someone write on a clear glass whiteboard in
real life, but I've seen it hundreds of times on the Internet
(including on our own site... no one said we were innocent!).
Use this photo whenever you need to showcase strategic
thinking!

12. 9. The Token Female
Want to flaunt your feminine side while still showing that
you can think strategically? Fear not: You can find the exact
same stock photo (see The Whiteboard Thinker) featuring a
woman!

13. 10. The Handshake
Are you reputable? Show it with a handshake! Bonus points
if it's multicultural!

14. 11. The Success Jump
Do you jump for joy when you reach a goal? Nah, neither do
I. But in stock-photo land, it's the only way to demonstrate
success.

15. 12. The Superhero Businessman
Can you help your clients with your superhuman-like skill
set? Slap a logo on this stock photo and feature it all over
your website. (Another one we are guilty of using!)

16. Remember, not all stock photography is bad. We
use iStockphoto for nearly all of our photography needs. But
remember, if you use stock photos... do so selectively and
responsibly.
If you need to make better photo choices for your marketing
needs, check out How to Select Images That Make Your
Marketing More Effective. Let's all do our part to make the
Internet a bit more visually pleasing!

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