The Getty Images Lean In collection shows us that the world of stock photography is moving away from antiquated, female cliches. You know the type of stock photo I'm talking about: it's always a single woman, usually sitting alone, looking deliriously (and I mean deliriously) happy, while her fork hovers overtop of a salad, almost as though she's going to take an actual, real-live bite (spoiler alert: she doesn't). I mean, I like salad as much as the next girl, but there's no way anyone is getting that excited over a plate of leafy greens. The prevalence of these ridiculous types of images lead to them being compiled in a satirical blog titled 'Women Laughing Eating Salad.'
Today is a lucky day for carnivorous women everywhere; salad is out, and competence is in. The collection, which is a collaboration with Facebook COO and Lean In founder Sheryl Sandberg, features alternative portraits of women. You know. Doing real things. Other than pretend to eat salad.
Pam Grossman, Director of Visual Trends at Getty Images, told CNN that "We believe that showing more pictures of females with technical skills can help play a part in normalizing these images and promoting them in real life." Amen to that!
Empowering Stock Photography
Getty Images Lean In Depicts Women Not Laughing and Eating Salad
Trend Themes
1. Moving Away From Antiquated Stock Photo Cliches - Offering innovative photos that break away from female stereotypes.
2. Getty Image Lean in Collaboration - Joining forces with Sheryl Sandberg to create accurate and empowering images of females.
3. Promoting Women in Technical Professions - Normalizing images of women with technical skills.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - Providing more accurate and empowering images of females to meet the growing demand for relatable visuals.
2. Marketing and Advertising - Increasing the use of empowering images to reach and connect with a more diverse audience.
3. Workforce Management - Improving diversity and inclusion through the use of accurate and empowering images in recruitment.