1. Bakkerbaard

    Bakkerbaard Contributor Contributor

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    What's with Stock Photos?

    Discussion in 'Cover Design' started by Bakkerbaard, May 15, 2021.

    As I'm slowly crawling my way to the latter legs of book-doing, and subsequently, further down these forums, I've gone ahead and started looking into cover design.

    I'll manage, but there's one thing I don't get: Almost every designer uses stock images. How's that work?
    I'm not really looking forward to getting a fancy cover done and later finding "my" rock & roller MC on a different book cover looking like some twinkly vampire schmuck.

    On an unrelated note, because I'll go that stock route if I need to; how detrimental would it be to not go with the trends/standards?
    For example, I reached out to a more comic book focused artist to test the waters. (The waters are too deep, as of yet, but I wanted to get an idea of cost if I were to go with that.)
     
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  2. hyacinthe

    hyacinthe Banned

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    if you want an illustrated or painted cover that doesn't use stock images your base price is four figures.
     
  3. marshipan

    marshipan Contributor Contributor

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    Also, if you want non
    stock model photos that also involves four figures since you're paying for a photoshoot.
    ----

    I'd say there is a little wiggle room as far as genre standards but you still need to make sure you're selling your genre, sub genre, and tone. The most awesome, artistic cover in the world that is off market may very well sell less books than a mediocre to-market cover.

    Truth is, there are a lot of covers with the same models. Especially in romance. Readers don't care and if it's a big deal to you then get a cover where the photos have been altered enough that it's not obvious. There is this one woman's specific photo shoot on a stock site that I've seen everywhere on covers. I used it too but I smacked just her face on an 3d body and drew in additional hair. I made it my own. That's pretty much what you got to do unless you've got deep pockets.
     
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  4. Bakkerbaard

    Bakkerbaard Contributor Contributor

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    Wrapping in an old newspaper it is then.
    The sting is that my day job is graphics. Just the wrong kind.

    Well, it was until I read your and Hyacinthe's replies.
    I'm sure that by the time I get to the point an actual cover is needed, I'll have made peace with it. Right now, however, is not that time.

    I have a realistic budget set aside. But I don't think I'll ever have a four-figures-for-a-picture budget.
     
  5. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    Tbh with paid stock it is unlikely a competitor will happen to chose the same image... if you rely on free stock libraries its more likely since the choice is limited
     
  6. Xoic

    Xoic Prognosticator of Arcana Ridiculosum Contributor Blogerator

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    I'll sell you this one for only $500! A steal!
    [​IMG]
    Get in fast before everybody is using them.
     
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  7. marshipan

    marshipan Contributor Contributor

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    Maybe it's a romance thing then because I've seen the same male models from deposit photos on a lot of covers. I've seen the females I used on my covers in multiple other covers too (in the same sub genre even).
     
  8. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    That's surprising, not least because glamour and art nude is one of those fields in which loads of non pro photographers work as a hobby (I'm a photographer but i don't - I'm mostly wildlife)... not to mention the number of wannabe models on stuff like purple port.... there should be no shortage of different images of himbos.

    If you wanted different shots it should be as easy as logging onto one of the big photo forums and doing a deal with one of the many photographers
     
  9. marshipan

    marshipan Contributor Contributor

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    In romance/erotica I think it's generally considered an unnecessary expense/effort to worry about that--especially with how frequently some publish. There's a book I saw #1 on Amazon last year in which I could identify every stock photo used. It comes down to if the author wants something like that because the market doesn't care.
     
  10. hyacinthe

    hyacinthe Banned

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    heck, some stock models are micro-celebrities within indie romance publishing. having a particular model who has been on a hundred covers could be seen as a marketing technique
     
  11. Homer Potvin

    Homer Potvin A tombstone hand and a graveyard mind Staff Supporter Contributor

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    That's how Fabio got started, didn't he?

    upload_2021-5-16_22-41-34.png
     
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  12. hyacinthe

    hyacinthe Banned

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    exactly! having Fabio on your cover was a big stinkin' deal. people would literally buy the book because he was on the cover. best profile in the business.
     
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  13. Bakkerbaard

    Bakkerbaard Contributor Contributor

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    Deal! My next three novels will be a series taking place in a restroom. I gotta get in on this!

    Yeah... Some of us - I'm not naming my name - may have used that excuse to get a foot in the door with a girl.
    Definitely the worst photo's some of us shot, because some of us couldn't stop their hands from shaking. None of us expected the excuse to work and planned ahead.

    I care, but I'll concede when I get over myself.
    I had this great fantasy about having a cool custom cover that would make people go "oooh, need to read!", but lately I have a fantasy of trying to break even on the book.
     
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  14. marshipan

    marshipan Contributor Contributor

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    There are a lot of really cool, customized covers with stock photos. Fantasy is a great one for conceding to stock because there are a lot of altered elements. I hope you find something where price meets nice.
    Plus, you can always update the cover later.
     
  15. Otterley

    Otterley New Member

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    Typography. You can never go wrong with stylish typography. And simple cover design and layout too. Worked for all those old Penguins, right?
     
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  16. Bakkerbaard

    Bakkerbaard Contributor Contributor

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    Heh. I was looking for a specific cover to argue against simple design, but I couldn't find it because I'm remembering it wrong. However, I might have stumbled upon another cover (Blackmoore Sisters) that has an interesting style, though I'd have to try and find the artist's portfolio first.

    So, my indirect thanks to you.
     

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