Ready to represent the entire human race by using diverse stock photos in your visual marketing?
I’m glad to hear it.
It’s a tiny step in the right direction.
Word of warning #1: If you aren’t used to making the extra effort to include all types of people with a beautiful range of skin tones, body types, and gender identities, you may feel …
- Strange. Like anything brand new, it may feel weird and uncomfortable when you start. Do it anyway.
- Inauthentic. You might feel as though you’re pandering. You might feel like a fake. Do it anyway.
- Vulnerable. You might worry you’re “doing it wrong.” Do it anyway.
Any discomfort you feel when you make a small extra effort to use racially inclusive imagery in your marketing is nothing.
Do it because it’s the right thing to do.
Do it because you want to open the doors of your business to all human beings, not just people who fit a culturally acceptable mold.
Do it because it’s a small way to “vote with your wallet.”
That’s right: When you search for and download diverse stock photography — even free diverse stock photos — you send a signal to the stock photo site owners.
You tell them you want to see stock photo diversity. That you value diversity. And you’re actively using diverse stock photos.
Word of warning #2: When you represent all of humanity in your marketing images, guess what? You’ll attract a more diverse audience.
When your community is diverse it will be smarter and stronger. But don’t forget that …
You have a responsibility as the leader of a diverse community — you must serve and advocate for your whole customer base.
It’s not enough to throw open your doors and welcome everyone inside. That’s good for you — but is it good for your customers who don’t look like you?
You need to take the time to educate yourself about the challenges faced by people in your community.
You need to actively ensure that everyone feels safe and supported.
You need to do your internal work so that you can show up for people who:
- Don’t have your ethnic background
- Don’t share your culture
- Deal with racism in their everyday lives
This is something I’m working on personally — like many of us, I know I haven’t done enough. Join me in this effort: It will be an ongoing commitment for me.
Let’s start by helping people to see themselves in the images we create and share.
It’s a tiny step in the right direction.
