Stock photos are an important element to graphic design. They can often make or break the message you’re trying to send to your audience. And since this is still SexiDesign, there are different rules to follow when finding that element of “sexy” for your stock photos. With the help of Fotolia, here are 5 tips to help you find alluring stock photos of people.
Tip #1: Provocative, Not Pornographic
(image source via Fotolia) – Add the concept of sexy without the T&A
People often misunderstand the concept of adding sexual appeal to their design. The results usually become designs which are overly sexual for a product or service which has nothing to do with sex. How many times have you seen a babe in a bikini to sell a poker site? Stick to stock photos which are instead, “provocative.”
“Provocative: arousing sexual desire, interest, or controversy, especially deliberately.”
Many things can be provocative from articles to photography so be open to this concept. Choose photos that are sexy based on body language instead of body position. You should always know how far of a line you can cross before your audience dismisses a provocative photo for a semi-pornographic one.
Tip #2: Not All Stock Photography Is Equal
(image source via Fotolia) Make sure the photo matches the design concept. This emotes great relaxation for a Spa Ad.
Stock photography sites, especially free ones, can be a mixture of professional and amateur photography. Therefore, depending on what’s available for your project and budget, you are always at risk for work with low quality photography.
Another point to consider is how well the provocative concept you need is executed. Nothing can beat the perfect photograph for your design, but beware of concepts which are forced or not believable. The photographer may have wanted to take a shot of a happy secretary at her desk, but if her face reads sad or contrived, your audience won’t believe it.
Tip #3: It’s All In The Eyes
(image source via Fotolia) - Grab your audience with a single look!
Body language is always important, but our eyes are especially capable of evoking such great and diverse emotion. Sometimes all you need for an alluring photo is a great pair of eyes staring right back at your audience.
Based on our primal instincts, our eyes are one of the best ways to evoke sexuality naturally. As humans, when we are aroused our pupils dilate. Our pupils also dilate in low lighting, which is commonly referred to as “bedroom eyes.” In other words, very dark eyes or photography which makes them look dark and mysterious will always be naturally sensual.
Tip #4: Racial And Gender Ambiguity
(image source via Fotolia) - Black and white photos add to racial/gender ambiguity
How to choose which race or gender should be responsible for capturing the message of your design is often a tough choice for designers. If you’re truly having a difficult time with this concept then I suggest choosing stock photography with racial or gender ambiguity. What this means is that the subject in the photo will have appeal across the board no matter the race or gender of the subjects because the audience won’t be able to tell what they are. Racial ambiguity is useful in many markets while gender ambiguity is best for fashion and such.
The beauty of black and white photography is that it’s easier to get away with racial ambiguity when you eliminate color photography. You can see this kind of use in the Reebok Easytone Ads, where all the audience can focus on is the great pair of legs and perfect product placement.
Conclusion
Alluring stock photos are easy to find when you know what to look for. Pay attention to key elements like body language and overall concept to pair the right photo to your design needs. What are your tips for finding alluring stock photography?
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9:17 AM
In most cases, hair defines which photo I choose. Hair is sexy. There’s literally an infinite amount of things you could do with the hair.