Item: iStock, from Getty Images
Rating: 10
Author: Scott Halewood

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

In my organisation I am a Digital Experience Coordinator who designs content types and digital assets for a number of webpages or assists on other design briefs for the wider department. Often we don't have enough of our own in-house photography to meet the need or represent certain areas of imagery and thus need to find outside images to reflect the content or message.

Pros and Cons

It offers a large catalogue of images
Wide variety of images for different subject matters
Quick access to images when struggling to find suitable in-house examples

Provide more niche photography areas
Offer more natural or realistic photography
Maybe offer a good discount on bundles of images

Most Important Features

High quality photography
Good stock videos
Stock music for social ads

Return on Investment

Provided good stock imagery for really niche content areas, sometimes organic photography can be hard to replicate what stock does well
Helped to quickly gain access to advertisement ready music tracks when the marketing team have been stuck for audio
Allowed designers to provide high fidelity examples of brand styling or campaign ideas

Alternatives Considered

Unsplash for Brands and Adobe Stock

iStock in my opinion is probably the leading stock image distribution service at the moment and has definitely become a trusted source for stock images, video, animations and audio. Unsplash has a better library of organic photography but can be a bit lacking as it replies on photographers having images of certain styles, though I like the concept and working closely to give exposure to artists. Adobe Stock is a newer service in comparison so it will take time to build the same level in my opinion but I am a avid Adobe user so will watch that space.

Key Insights

Do you think iStock, from Getty Images delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with iStock, from Getty Images's feature set?

Yes

Did iStock, from Getty Images live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of iStock, from Getty Images go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy iStock, from Getty Images again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Unsplash for Brands, Adobe Stock

Likelihood to Recommend

The best examples I have of my experience with iStock, from Getty Images comes from times I am creating prototypes or design concepts to show off a new content type or provide visual examples of how a page could look with the addition of good photography. My only downside is sometimes it can be a struggle to find organic looking stock images which is a key part of the brand identity we have.

Best in the marketing for stock images, video, animations and audio!

Overall Satisfaction with iStock, from Getty Images