You've seen them. Those awkward stock photos where everyone has a forced smile and points at a laptop screen.

Generic stock photography is killing eLearning content. We decided to do something about it.

The Problem:

For a major eLearning project, we needed diverse, authentic images showing professionals in realistic scenarios. Standard stock photography sites gave us:

• Overused images everyone recognizes

• Limited diversity options

• Awkward, staged scenarios

• Photos that appear in competitor's courses too

Our Solution: Cast Real Actors

We did what film and TV productions do - cast professional actors through Mandy.com.

The Process:

We created detailed casting calls specifying age ranges, diversity requirements, and scenario types. This gave us access to professionals who know how to take direction, look natural on camera, and work efficiently.

Each photography session captured multiple scenarios: office collaboration, presenting, individual work, and professional headshots. Professional actors made the process incredibly efficient - they understood lighting, direction, and maintaining natural expressions across multiple shots.

Post-production involved colour correction for consistency, professional retouching, and organizing images by scenario and diversity categories.

The Mutual Benefit:

Actors received professional headshots for their portfolios. We built a unique image library nobody else has.

This wasn't transactional - we built relationships with talented professionals who understood we were creating something authentic together.

The Results:

We created a comprehensive custom library that:

• Represents genuine workplace diversity

• Shows authentic, relatable scenarios

• Maintains consistent professional quality

• Remains unique to the project

What We Learned:

Custom photography costs more upfront than stock subscriptions. But the value is clear: unique images tailored to exact needs, consistent quality, and content that actually supports learning objectives.

One investment, unlimited applications across multiple courses, platforms, and formats.

The Bottom Line:

At BB Visual Ltd, we don't just source images - we create authentic visual content that resonates with learners.

Generic stock photos might be convenient, but they won't make your content stand out. Custom photography with professional actors solves a real eLearning problem that stock sites can't.

Ready to upgrade your eLearning visuals? Let's discuss your content photography needs.