“Safety first!” – Stock photos on the subject of security
Safety is a basic existential human need with many aspects, as ancient as mankind: we all want to feel protected, relaxed and free from fears of any kind. This makes security an important topic for stock photography. This is all the more true in times when the sense of insecurity – both personal and global – seems to be on the rise and society seems to be in a constant state of alarm. This is when strong images from the field of “risk and security” appeal to our desire for stability and control – a powerful emotional trigger that is unlikely to fail to have an effect, regardless of the topic!
It’s often about the “perceived” (in)security
Compared to earlier times, the majority of people in the western world today live more securely than almost any previous generation – at least measured by the degree of existential threat posed by war, violence or lawless conditions. Despite isolated devastating conflicts, the number of wars worldwide is also declining.
But no matter how orderly and low-risk the framework conditions of our lives may be, a residual uncertainty remains. Absolute security is a utopia. We will never go through life completely free of fear. After all, security is difficult to measure in figures; it is rather a subjectively perceived – or even missed – state.
© Left: Westend61 / Anastasiya Amraeva , Center Left: Westend61 / Joseffson , Center Left: Westend61 / Joseffson, Right: Westend61 / Rainer Berg
Safety and trust: the perfect visual language for your brand
The increasing complexity of an ever faster changing world also brings a lack of clarity and sometimes a feeling of powerlessness and lack of control. The desire to “get a grip” on this complicated life is nothing other than a need for security. Just how little control we have at all times and everywhere became abundantly clear five years ago, when the coronavirus pandemic ruthlessly revealed the vulnerability and susceptibility to crisis of even ultra-modern societies.
Once the basic requirements of human existence are secured, other aspects of the topic come to the fore: the desire for health, social and legal security, for example, but also the need for economic security (usually in connection with a secure job), road safety, safety at work and much more.
High-quality stock photos for insurance
Recognizing dangers in good time, taking precautions, protecting against risks, resilience, crisis management, building trust: just some of the many aspects surrounding the mega-topic of “security” – plenty of material for powerful images. The multi-billion euro insurance industry with all its facets is a good example of the ever-booming business of risks and protection against them. The business model is called “Trust us!”. Insurance marketing images and high-quality stock photos for insurance companies play a decisive role in building this trust with customers – an important and often lucrative market for stock photographers!
© Left: Westend61 / Studio in the Wild , Center: Westend61 / Joseffson, Right: Westend61 / Joseffson
In view of global digital networking, data protection is also becoming increasingly important – for entire countries as well as for large and small companies, but also for each individual. Malware, data theft, the paralysis of entire networks, completely new possibilities for spying and surveillance as well as targeted misinformation are constantly creating new security requirements; their importance will continue to grow.
Best security stock photos for cyber security
The need to respond effectively to digital threats is generating new business areas with huge, steadily increasing turnover. Stock photos on various aspects of this topic are needed to promote the products and services on offer: Cyber security images are a horse that stock photographers should back, both in terms of motif and theme.
© Left: Westend61 / Daniel Ingold, Center: Westend61 / Kniel Synnatzschke, Right: Westend61 / Infinite Lux
Absolute security requires permanent and complete control. However, this would quickly lead to a lack of freedom and paralyze the creative potential of humanity. Conversely, an excess of freedom would invalidate tried-and-tested rules of coexistence and again give rise to risks and thus new fears. Freedom and security are two poles at opposite ends of a scale between self-responsibility and heteronomy. The regulator must be somewhere in between.
The balancing act between security and freedom
This area of tension between the collective need for security and individual freedom is also a broad, varied and emotionally appealing theme for security stock photos; for example, when it comes to the expansion of police powers in data storage to combat and prevent crime.
© Left: Westend61 / Addictive Stock / Javier De La Torre, Center: Westend61 / Tetra Images / Erik Isakson, Right: Westend61 / Philipp Nemenz
Security is therefore an important topic that can be viewed, designed and staged photographically from many perspectives – an ideal field for stock photographers and picture agencies such as Westend61.
If you are looking for breathtaking images for security campaigns: You’ll find them with us – but for sure!
