One of the few images that shows a multi-racial business team.
Every time I prepare for a speaking engagement, I search stock photo sites for quality images I can use in my visual presentations. Nothing can complement a point or message better than a good image. Bullet points suck.
What bothers me is that it takes forever to find really good photos of diverse business people – people of color, different ethnic backgrounds, and various age groups.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There are many images of diverse people, but not the kind I need.
Many images I see show stereotypical roles for people of color. For example, try searching, “Latina business executive,” or “Hispanic businesswoman,” and you’ll find many woman with headsets on, implying that they work as receptionists, call center reps, and in jobs where they use the telephone. That’s just not reality. Searching for Hispanic businessmen turns up a couple of models in various poses, plus men of other ethnic backgrounds.
Or, how about trying to find businessmen and women of East Indian origin. It’s like pulling teeth. There are a few of women wearing saris, but, I prefer women working in North America who happen to have east Indian origin.
African-American men and women are better represented with Asians less so. But, not middle-aged and older business people of any racial background. It seems that the entire business world is under 40 if we judge it by stock photos.
Of course, there are tons of attractive white men and women. But, whites in a multicultural society don’t represent everyone.
It’s so important to demonstrate diversity in the images we use in advertising, marketing, and business presentations. People we work with are not homogeneous and neither are our audiences. It’s time that stock photo sites catch up and ask photographers to submit images that represent all of us in a variety of jobs and roles.
What do YOU think? Have you experienced the same frustration? What images have you used in your marketing materials?