Faux family …
Why do some churches use canned photos of models on their website?
I’m not saying that’s wrong. It’s not something I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. It’s something I’ve noticed lately that a lot of churches seem to be doing. So I’m thinking “out loud” in this post …
The reason why there are models in photos for general use is to paint a specific image. When an organization of any kind uses them, the idea they’re communicating is … “We’re made up of these pretty people.”
What’s wrong with some quality photos of the real people who make up the real church? Not visually appealing enough?
So if you capture someone’s attention with models who have nothing to do with your local congregation (and may have opposite views and commitments for all you know) why would you want to mislead someone with faux visuals? Five minutes visiting a church service might leave the visitor thinking, “These folks aren’t anything like the pictures on the website …”
I think there’s a difference between using available photography for general images and ideas, but people photos as a representation of the people in a local church? For me, it strikes me as … odd?
Really, this is thinking out loud. I’m not making a big issue of this. But why are churches doing this?
Are we that mentally enslaved to Madison Avenue?
Scotty
February 15, 2012 at 12:28 pm
I can only speak for myself having built a number of websites, both church websites and not, it may not be even be intentional. There are often higher priorities in the building and/or maintaining of a church website. I have, at times, used a canned image as a place holder until I can either take pictures myself, or by some other means acquire photos of the current membership. I wouldn't read to much into it. I get what you're saying though, a picture is worth a thousand words, and it is a bit discouraging when a church uses stock photos that you may have even seen before in advertisements or on billboards. I've been looking at stock photos for so long it never fails to amaze me how often I see the same photos.
February 15, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Really? People do that! Weird!
February 15, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Good point. Really, really good point. đŸ™‚
February 16, 2012 at 7:02 am
David, good points, thanks for sharing them. Certainly, "canned" stuff would be expected for trying to share ideas, concepts, etc. And I think you're right that for some it's probably a stop gap until they can get some taken. I just thought it interesting, especially since I'm seeing more of it lately.
Sinead, yes, it's happening a lot lately. Perhaps with some of the smaller churches they're thinking that's all they have available at the moment. Still, it's odd to have people on there who simply have nothing to do with the local congregation.
Thanks, Kelly, I was just thinking out loud, and it's not a big deal. But a lot of "image" is made from a website, so it caught my attention.