Envisioning Stories

Stock Image and Video Collections

As mentioned in the Working with Stock Visuals tutorial, WeVideo’s stock materials selection can be limited in terms of representations of diverse communities and people. Here is a small list of stock image and video collections that offer a greater variety in terms of visual representation. Be aware that some stock sites may have specific terms for use of their visual materials.

• https://unsplash.com/
• Collection that features trans and non-binary people: https://genderphotos.vice.com/
• Images of disability: https://www.disabilityimages.com/ 
• Disability inclusive stock photography (free to use under Creative Commons): https://disabilityin.org/resource/disability-stock-photography/ 
• List of links to racially-diverse stock images (some free to use, some can be purchased): https://www.huffpost.com/entry/where-to-find-racially-diverse-stock-photography_b_59ef94afe4b00a4ce5a22218
• Fat-positive stock imagery:
  https://canweallgo.com/plus-size-stock-photos/
  https://bodyliberationphotos.com/body-liberation-stock-body-fat-positive-diverse-photos/
• Healthy Community Living showcasing “real people with and without visible disabilities participating in their communities and to feature different aspects of living in their community.” All photos can be used with credit: https://www.flickr.com/groups/healthycommunityliving/

Creative Approaches

Storytellers may also want to construct their visual narratives through other creative means. Stop motion animation, digital animation, painting, drawing, and digital art are all possible within the digital storytelling format.

Backlight blog provides a detailed overview of how to construct stop motion animation, including information on apps that can aid in the creative process.

Consent and Copyright

When working with visual media, it is important to think about issues around consent.

• Who is in these images?
• Can the storyteller obtain the consent of others in their photographs or videos, particularly if these are archival visuals?

When gathering images or videos from other sources it is also important to consider concerns around copyright. Most stock image sites will include terms of use for their images but it may be more difficult to know who has the rights to a photograph that comes from an internet search, for example.

For more about copyright and why it matters:

• Fair Use Guidelines for Digital Storytelling
• Online guide – Find Audio, Images and Videos for Remixing