Stock is a good start if you’re making chicken soup, but as Chef Emeril would say, “kick it up a notch!”

Often stock photography is relied upon because it is budget-friendly and it can be uber-fast. It generally has what it takes to get the project done, but there is a risk of seeing your purchased photo used in somebody else’s campaign and nobody likes that, or even using a photo that unwittingly sends the wrong message.

A campaign supporting Measure WW, a $250 million bond measure to preserve open space for recreation and wildlife habitat in California, mistakenly used a picture of a frog that nobody wants in their parks.

The African clawed frog in the brochure is a non-native species that threatens indigenous frogs and small fish. It’s considered a pest in California creeks, streams and ponds and has been called the “Frog from Hell.” Not exactly the message Measure WW wanted to send.

Sometimes the photo and concept needed simply doesn’t exist, but that shouldn’t get in the way of making your project truly unique. Nine times out of 10 if you dream it we can make it happen and at a budget-friendly pace/price.

We just completed a photo shoot for a client and it was a great success! As Emeril would say, “BAM!”

Have you seen any different campaigns using the same photo? Any advertisement photography really stand out to you lately?