Using Other Peoples Photos - Is it Okay? Or Not Good?

JoeCool,

You really have two questions here.

The first one is whether or not using the photo adjacent to text in a 'leading' way is allowed by the usage terms of your license agreement. To answer this question, go to istockphoto, read both their general terms, and the terms for that specific photo (and the particular license you purchased).

The license terms may or may not address this issue, I don't know. But you have a way to find out.

The second question - assuming the license terms do not prohibit that kind of usage - is whether or not it's ethical to use it in the way you've described. Because most people, I think, will assume that the picture you use is indeed a photo of the named person, the practice is deceptive, and that's what's making you uncomfortable.

Let your conscience be your guide. If you're uncomfortable with it, there's your answer. You already know what feels right to you.

As an alternative to a photo, maybe a cartoon caricature - a kind of site 'mascot' - would work better for you, as one idea.

- Kat

JoeCool,

The WF is a microcosm of the world at large. You will find people here who would say to you that if it helps your conversion, do it.

It sounds like you already have the gut feeling that it's deceptive, so why would you want to find a way to 'justify it in (your) own mind'?

You're torn between what you suspect is deceptive and the temptation of greater conversions. This choice gives you the chance to define yourself.

If choosing to be honest and truthful for its own sake isn't enough for you, pay attention to what Nathan said in the previous post. Why risk your reputation? What effect do you think that will have on your conversions?

Best,
- Kat

There are entire sites and forums dedicated to "outing" fake profiles and the people behind them, do it at your peril.

Does the burger served at McDonald's
match the burger advertised?

Is the pasteurized milk you buy
actually, chemically still milk?

Do movie stars ever play characters
that aren't really them?

Do the flashy graphics and big
dollar copy actually make a crap
product not a crap product?

Is the Rich Jerk really a cartoon
character?

Does Tony the Tiger REALLY
eat Frosted Flakes?

Or the two guys on the subway
train, the successful one reading
the Wall Street journal and the
unsuccessful one not.

Or the super hot chick in Second
Life?

I could go on and on.

As a marketer I think you put
yourself in a bad place anytime
you don't feel 100% GREAT
about whatever you're doing.

But let's really boil this all
down - almost ALL selling that
occurs is based upon deception.

Otherwise, is selling even
necessary?

How much of what any of us
sell is based in REAL need?

99% of it is based in emotional
self-deception.

Yes, reader, I'm talking about
you and if you want to challenge
that theory I guarantee I can
prove it. Just post what you
promote and I will explain, clearly,
why the only reason anyone buys
it is based 100% in some form of
deception.

I think there's a difference between
creating characters to sell products
and creating outright lies to sell
products, yes. But what you're
asking isn't inherently unethical -
it could be but it doesn't need to
be.

X

PS - All that aside, I really like
Kat's answer but feel compelled
to provide an alternate to
the tainted puritanical view that
has dominated the thread to
this point.

Plus, without a counterpoint this
potentially interesting conversation
will die.

This is really new to me because I use my full name and photo online and have never thought about people actually using a bogus name or a bogus picture just for the sake of not letting anyone see their faces or know who they are.

That is just bad business.

Tal

Eh. I *might* do it with a silly twist. Maybe find a picture of someone who is ridiculously good-looking (you know, rippling biceps or something) and dressed in a spandex super hero outfit. Then put up a disclaimer saying this is how I look in my mind... or how I'm doing you a favor because you'd scream in horror if you saw my real picture.

Which would probably defeat the point of using a fake picture to begin with.

As long as you're using it in an ethical manner like a pen name and not to say hey look at all this weight I lost then I think its fine... If you're using them to deceive people then its wrong, but if you're just doing it so that the readers can put a face to what they're reading then its fine in my opinion...

One thing I have noticed is people using pictures of celebrities. I see this type of avatar in forums being used by both marketers and non-marketers.

There was a similar discussion here a week or so ago where we tried to settle the question based upon trust. Many members said they trusted people online more when they could see a picture.

I guess my take is this: if it is okay to operate under a forum name, then it must be okay to have an avatar that is clearly of a celebrity or cartoon character.

Large corporations often used photos of people who aren't associated with the company except by being hired as spokespeople. Some of the older members here may remember the Bartles and James commericals from several decades ago. Each commercial prominently featured the company founders Bartles and James who at the end of each commercial would extol viewers with "Thanks for your support." The commercials were popular and drove sales through the roof, and you guessed it, those weren't Bartles and James. There really was no Bartles or James, they were both just actors paid and contracted to represent the company.

Im only a newbie but since looking at IM i'm pretty much convinced the majority of people trying to sell could be accused of false advertising in the real world. I've looked at a few guides etc and they all seem to say about how you should try to convince people to buy a product by saying how well this particular product has worked for your weight loss or muscle gain or acne condition or whatever problem you have it is that you have supposedly had solved. I have actually thought, do these products actually work or are the only people who give them the glowing reviews the people doing pretty much anything to get a sale. Im not judging anyone, i was just naive and i have had my eyes opened. I suppose being completely honest and please slap me down if i'm wrong but it seems to me that being an affiliate it doesnt matter too much how much you lie to make a sale as long as you get one

I use other images but I tried to source the photos if not possible I try to say it in the articles where I have gotten those photos

What?!

I just learned that it isn't really
Aunt Jemima blogging about her
syrup and pancake mix!

Apparently she *never* existed.

This after I just read that Robert
Kiyosaki (just to name one) has
a ghost writer write his blog and
Twitter posts. Unbelievable!

Back to Aunt Jemima -

1889 - Chris Rutt and Charles Underwood of the Pearl Milling Company developed Aunt Jemima, the first ready mix.

1890 - R.T. Davis purchased the struggling Aunt Jemima Manufacturing Company. He then brought the Aunt Jemima character to life when he hired Nancy Green as his spokeswoman.

1914 - The image of Aunt Jemima was so popular that the company was renamed the Aunt Jemima Mills Company.

Get the WHOLE truth here -

Aunt Jemima—Our History

It depends on how you use the photos. But lets be realistic here. You should always ask the owner before using it if it is for commercial use. The last thing you want is to face a law suit because you will unless you get special permission.