Visual Inspiration 5: Royalty-free images that make you think

One of the most impressive features of royalty-free stock photography is its variety of motifs. In terms of production, this means that the instructions do not impose any restrictive requirements on the photographers, but rather give them plenty of creative leeway. And yet it can happen that you simply don’t have the right spark – the right idea with that certain something.

Inspiration cannot be forced. Only one thing helps: taking your time. Sometimes good ideas are like fine wine; they need time to mature (of course, ideally not as long as a fine wine…). And often looking at photos from previous shoots helps, and you should try to remember what you thought about the respective production. That’s why we would like to present five special images from our portfolio. You can tell that the people behind the camera thought ahead – and that’s why these images also make the viewer think.

What is actually the point here?

Over a year and a half ago, we received a series of images by Sven Hagolani that really shook our perspective, almost turning it upside down. Dynamic, acrobatic, and emotional, he presented a pair of dancers seemingly floating horizontally in midair. 

The two look as if they wanted to fall together. Figuratively, this is consistent with an emotional bond with another person. It is the change of perspective and the acrobatic representation of interpersonal relationship that we find inspiring in this image.

Beauty contrary to supposed standards

When this image of a young man reached us, we first had to do our own research – a very important point when dealing with social issues. The model suffers from vitiligo, a non-contagious skin disease for which loss of pigment cells results in discolored patches in the skin. In some countries, vitiligo patients are ostracized because their condition is wrongly associated with leprosy.

The photographer duo Veam’s image reminds us what really counts in life. When meeting others, we should see similarities rather than differences because deep down, we all want the same thing, which is to be accepted and to go through life happy. That’s exactly what this model radiates for us.

Quo Vadis Earth?

Tackling the climate crisis and preserving our natural resources for future generations is one of the greatest global challenges of our time. And finally, when the Covid pandemic is manageable, this urgent issue will catch up with us again. This image with the green turn arrow by Huber Starke is a simple but impressive reminder to not forget the environment. It reminds us to not again simply prioritize economic growth over nature conservation as soon as the steam engine of the global economy picks up speed again.

© Huberstarke/Westend61

The green arrow confronts us with the questions: How much is enough? And how high can the price of economic success be? At Westend61, we want to remain committed to sustainable business practices in the future, and we will continue to give a lot of thought to how we can optimize our processes to this end.

More individual than ever?

A strong trend toward individualization can be observed in industrial societies. We live in a highly technical and digitalized age that offers more freedom than our ancestors could ever have dreamed of. At the same time, however, our lives are becoming more complex and confusing. This brings uncertainty: “Who am I, who do I want to be?” That’s why many people look to role models for identification and orientation.

Social media and influencers play an important role here. However, they are often more about appearances and the need for recognition than about finding a true identity. This makes a return to true individuality and an authentic expression of one’s own personality without commercial ulterior motives all the more important. Sus Ponts reminds us of this with this photo of a young woman who paints her face with a brush.

Looking at it another way

It is true that our world as a whole is freer today than it has ever been. But the fight against oppression and discrimination is far from won. Despite all diversity, people are still disadvantaged and excluded because they deviate from the set norms. But what is normal? And does a majority automatically dictate what should be considered normal? Why is different not also normal? 

Why, for example, can’t a man love another man without being considered “abnormal” by some? We don’t have a definitive solution to this problem, but we do have an opinion: Taking a stand is already part of the solution. We clearly position ourselves as being for diversity and against the stigmatization of the supposedly abnormal. That is why we have included this image by Miguel Frias in this series. So let’s look at life more often through a rainbow – with its dazzling colors one of the strongest symbols of diversity.

Inspirational stock photos

The images presented here, plus more thought-provoking images, can also be found on our Inspiration Page. In seven galleries, our Creative Department presents the diversity of our image worlds and image concepts – the most exciting topics and trends in stock photography at a glance and as pure inspiration.