Dear Amigos,
How often have you been tasked with selecting images for a certain project? Whether we’re talking about photography, illustrations, or other graphic resources, most creatives are familiar with endlessly scrolling through image banks trying to find an ideal match. As occasional stock image curators, we can say that despite the variety of online options, most libraries lack diversity and often perpetuate harmful stereotypes that, maybe without intention, keep being replicated in online spaces, creating a monochrome loop.
Luckily we’re nowhere near being the only ones concerned. Creatives themselves are rolling their sleeves to deal with this issue. That’s how Fotonica was born, a project by Italian agency Comunicattive that seeks to balance the stock image market with authentic and plural representations created by members of the LGBTQIA+ and feminist community.
Image credits: Jaguar
The Problem with Standardized Stock Photos
The lack of diversity regarding race, ethnicity, gender, age, and ability in stock photo libraries is a pressing issue. Many images depict predominantly white, able-bodied individuals in stereotypical roles. This lack of representation can have serious consequences:
Reinforcing Stereotypes: These monotonous images can reinforce harmful stereotypes and biases. For example, pictures of women often portray them in domestic or caregiving roles, while images of men frequently depict them in positions of power.
Excluding Marginalized Groups: People from marginalized groups may feel invisible or undervalued when they are not represented in stock photos. This can lead to feelings of isolation and alienation. If you look up “couple” on your most used library, you probably would have to scroll multiple pages before finding any representation of queer relationships.
Creating Biased AI: AI algorithms trained on biased datasets can perpetuate discrimination. As an example, AI systems are primarily exposed to images of white people, they may be less likely to recognize or accurately identify people of color. Diversity in AI is a tremendously important and concerning topic, we recommend this article by Jeremy Baum and John Villasenor called Rendering misrepresentation: Diversity failures in AI image generation.
Image credits: Jaguar
Fotonica’s proposal
Fotonica caters their library to newspapers, information sites, publishing houses, advertising agencies, and organizations that manage social campaigns. In their easily navigable and accessible website, they display their resources in a variety of collections like disability, body diversity, activism, LGBTQIA+, parenting and gender violence. Their motto “Imaggini senza stereotipi” (images without sterotypes) describes their compromise to bring the world a truly plural look. If you’re a creator and want to sell your resources through Fotonica, you can register as a contributor in their website.
Image credits: Jaguar
Comunicattive, an agency with diversity lens
Comunicattive has been active since 2003, mixing their knowledge in the communication field with feminist activism. Based in Bologna, Italy, they are a fresh alternative to many agencies in the marketing world that perpetuate harmful stereotypes, giving marginalized groups voice and representation through their creative projects instead. They favor and attract projects where women, migrants, disabled people, and LGBTQAI+ people are protagonists, amplifying their needs and struggles and hoping to change the world for the better.
Image credits: Burberry
Image credits: Jaguar
If you’re in the position of choosing images for any creative project, articles, books or advertisement pieces, we extend an invitation to pick with diversity in mind and avoid falling under the convenience of repeating stereotypes. Besides, you have a new library under your sleeve to do so. See you soon amigos!
Yours truly,
A Type of Camila.
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