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Picture frame families, PSA's and advertisements - who are the people behind these generic stock photos and did they know what they were signing up for? Much like Titus Andromedon on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, some of these models had no idea what their photos would be used for until the stumbled across themselves being used for some very odd photo purposes.

Someone on Reddit was curious about this genre of photography and asked: "People in stock photos, what's the weirdest way you've seen your photos being used?" Well, as you can imagine there were some pretty weird answers, from adorable childhood photos being used as a poster for adoption to sweet couple photos being used for AIDS awareness these people were definitely not expecting their modeling career to go this way. Scroll down to see all the hilarious answers and don't forget to upvote your favs! (Facebook cover image: pixabay)

#1

30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways This takes place many, many years ago when foreigners were a rare sight in Japan. I'm a big, friendly looking white guy, and I was asked to do some photos of "a couple on a date." So I go around to some scenic locals with a beautiful Japanese woman, the photographer, and his assistants. Fun day. Took tons of romantic photos. And that was the end of it... Until a month or two later when my "date" and I showed up on posters all over the subway as part of an AIDS awareness campaign (because you can catch that from foreigners, y'know!) Needless to say my friends and coworkers thought it was hilarious, and amazingly it didn't have any noticeable impact on my dating life. Looking back my only regret is that I didn't steal one of the posters.

SuRoAwAe , Priscilla Du Preez /Unsplash Report

Kai
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Joey is that you? hahaha

Tal Jamchi
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, that escalated quickly.

Lacy Kay
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A couple on a date....with a married man.

Uwe Theiss
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where does it say he is married? Also based on the part about his dating life, I don't think back then he was married.

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Alex K
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thats what happened to joey

HOUSE
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What does he mean by 'friendly looking'. Is that a nice way of saying not good looking and so not a threat?

NaChO tHe UnIcOrN
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not really... friendly-looking can just mean approachable, and if they chose him for a stock photo then he couldn't be bad-looking.

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    #2

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways I ended up finding myself on one of those “Now Hiring” posts on Facebook... for a company I was trying to get hired at

    willardflame , RobinHiggins Report

    Suzy Ling
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Another of your pictures was used recently, in a Chive sex story ... https://thechive.com/2019/04/03/sex-stories-you-dont-want-to-hear-yet-do-want-to-hear-17-photos/

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The irony. P.S. you don’t want to work at FB

    Josurf
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well... you got the job.... partially...

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should hire you as a Rep.You know, like Flo with Progressive.

    Anita Holleufer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you didn’t get the job, you can sue them for using your picture! You would never have to work again.

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    #3

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways When I was a kid my mom took me for a photoshoot, then a month later I was on a pamphlet that said “Millions of children don’t have homes, adopt one today”

    chiefMNM , Pezibear Report

    Luna Lovegood
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What does this say about how your mom feels about you...

    Nala Rose
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    Zori the degu
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And then the kid on this picture comes here and writes: "So, my photo was used by someone to tell their story about their picture being used..." :D

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The bear looks kind of skeptical.

    Anita Holleufer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This child does not look homeless! What homeless kid is clean, has toys, and hair that’s braided?

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a parent, I wouldn’t appreciate that. #fulldisclosure

    Robin Ellison
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I were the mom, I would be furious

    Zoe's Mom
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I heard of a story of a ski resort took random pictures of people on the slope. One of the folks was a lawyer and told them that the didn't have permission to use their photo. He could have been a d*ck but all he wanted was a free year pass for him and his family. I think that was a good trade off.

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    #4

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways I knew a girl who was reaaaally full of herself, but really shouldn't have been. One of her stock photos got used on an article about people who are self-centered. It. Was. Perfect.

    aabbccbb , pixabay Report

    Id row
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ironic that the photos they're using are not the actual photos. So the woman in this pic could submit this pic and say, "I was used as a photo example of someone who was really full of herself".

    Jess De La Souza
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True!! your statement reminds me of looking at a painting or picture within a picture illusion you get the point right? frameillus...f91c4f.jpg frameillusion-5cbc0c9f91c4f.jpg

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This model is certainly stunning. If I looked like that, I guess I would be full of myself.

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, you mean, “Plastic Girl”?

    #5

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways I have some friends that found one of their wedding pictures from Facebook somehow printed on a pillow in a market in a middle-eastern country. Like... they just randomly happened upon their wedding photo in a random street market. They are from the U.S.

    ScoobyDeezy , JK_90 Report

    IvetaT
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is why you shouldnt post anything personal to FB

    Nia Loves Art
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What else is Facebook good for, and is being on a pillow in a Middle Eastern country supposed to be a bad thing?

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    Bob Beltcher
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you find out you're the center of the Truman Show.

    Wil Vanderheijden
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And that's why you watermark your pictures before posting them on social media.

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good advice. But I don't think anyone wants my ugly mug.

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    Anita Holleufer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s kinda cool! I wonder if they made them pay for the pillow?!?

    Marnee DeRider
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't believe that unless I see the pillow next to the photo

    Lulik
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm wondering if those people can accuse anyone of taking their picture without permission? I know its sounds obviously, but on the other hand, it can be impossible to find out how it happened and get some proof that court will accept

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just looking at this ad, it looks contrived. No way these two are married. He looks gay.

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    #6

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways I modelled a bit in college and walked into a store in my local mall one day. They had this huge Valentine’s Day section with gift selections for different “types” of girls with pictures of models. There was the “sexy “girl, “adventurous” girl, “funny” girl and then my picture with just the word “other girl”...

    buffyorbust , langll Report

    The Girl on Fire
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *emo teenage girl voice* "I'm not like the other girls"

    Bob Beltcher
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Other girls are really more fun.

    Flame Phoenix
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wanna beike other girls, from Mulan is stuck in my head now!

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    #7

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways We found out this past Christmas that my uncle’s stock photo of him at a spa had been turned into a hummus meme. Just him, soaking in a bathtub full of hummus.

    AlexEH Report

    HOUSE
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait so is this person asking their uncle for a picture of them in the bath?...

    frederic eeckman
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They ask for a picture, and they got a meme with the uncle.

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    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hummus is good for the epidermis.

    Godspeed
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought it was Tzatziki.

    Travis Lammerts
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why? Just why is all I want to know.

    Id row
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you take a bath in hummus, you deserve to be a meme.

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    #8

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways For context, my ex and I were an interracial couple (Asian/White) and both born in the US. We were used in some passport-style and portrait photo studios in Vietnam. We did some other photos, one which included us opening a car trunk near a beach-side town, pretending to be on vacation. One day a friend sent us screenshots from an Asian Female/Western Male dating website with our photos on the page. Below each photo were "our" testimonials, written in Vietnamese with something along the lines of: "What a life! We're a real Cinderella story come true! She used to be a simple country girl and now she's about to get a green card to live a happy and fulfilling life in the US! Thanks (DATING SITE)!"

    solid_space , wikimedia Report

    HOUSE
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why don't these countries just hire people

    Uwe Theiss
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cause money. The use of existing photos is cheaper then pay for models, photographer and set.

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    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I was your GF, I wouldn’t be too happy.

    Bill
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Who the heck still uses the term "inter racial couple?" In 2019

    Nia Loves Art
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People talking about inter racial couples generally. I’m not sure what the more modern term would be and I’m only 19!

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    #9

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways While peeing at a bar I found myself looking at myself. I was used in a campaign about alcohol abuse. The particular pictures they used were drunk me about to punch my girlfriend, and drunk me pushing my friend while I was trying to get into my car to drive. That night I ended up being rather popular with the bar patrons and had to reenact the photos with various strangers.

    NameMyExDoesntKnow , Alexas_Fotos Report

    Magpie
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is horrible! " ... popular with bar patrons...reenact "....HORRIBLE

    Uwe Theiss
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that sarcasm? Cause it sounds like a fun evening! :D

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    Linda Something
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was hoping that the pictures of each post were the photos described in the stories, but I guess not after reading the discription on this one?!

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Not the actual photo." And they put it where you can barely read it.

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, did you get free drinks?

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They better have, since he was entertaining everyone. Lol.

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    Wendy J Shores
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    hahaha what an awesome story. Someone has to pose for the real life a******s out there. Glad everyone in the bar understood you were just acting!

    Anita Holleufer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Horrible is right! Who are you beating up when the pictures were taken originally?

    Daric Apai (Darquestar1)
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait... were they actual pictures of you drunk and being an a*****e or posed for pictures? Not clear.

    Godspeed
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Hey....aren't you that guy featured at the urinals?"

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    #10

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways When I was a senior in high school, I was chosen to do a stock photo shoot for a big health company. They didn’t tell me what they were going to use my pictures for, I was just excited to get free clothes and a tiny bit of cash. The way I found out how they used my photo was when I went to the gynecologist about a year later and saw my picture on the wall - I was the face of teenage pregnancy counseling. Edit: I was definitely NOT pregnant, I actually think I was still a virgin when the photo shoot happened

    ducksterr , mediaphotos Report

    Bob Beltcher
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's why you should never agree to something without knowing the end result.

    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not how stock photos work. You get money by signing over the rights to your photo. The owner can then end up doing with it as they like.

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, it was used for a good cause anyway.

    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Free clothes, cash, and no baby. It's like you won the lottery.

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    (1) Here was your clue: when they didn’t tell you what they were going to use your pictures for and (2) You “actually think” you were “still a virgin when the photo shoot happened? You don’t know???

    Nia Loves Art
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She probably lost her virginity around that time and doesn’t remember the exact order of events.

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    Ryo Bakura
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That woman is missing her dragons.

    jade
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    yea, when the shot happened.........

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    #11

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways My husband and I did stock photos when I was pregnant with our first. I ended up seeing myself later on the side of a bus as well as in a pamphlet for young moms (flattering!) at my doctor's office. The more interesting part, though, is that my husband took part in another "family" shoot, various poses cooking in the kitchen etc. Years later I was looking up a colleague on Facebook and her cover photo was her and my husband chopping vegetables in a stock photo.

    sblade77 , Aaron Thomas Report

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Obviously, the colleague didn't realise that you married the guy. Awkward!

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How bizarre. Lesson here? Don’t do stock photos.

    #12

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways My whole family modeled back in the 80s. Somehow my dad ended up in a brochure for some born again church that said he was a sinner and adulterer until he found jesus.

    greaper007 , StockSnap Report

    Bob Beltcher
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hope he found a paycheck from them too.

    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, so the church wasn't above lying? Color me surprised!

    Blu_Ni
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What do you mean "until"? Isn't it that everybody a sinner so long as they linger within this Earth?

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No one is without sin. But hopefully the adultery part wasn't true.

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    Bingyu Hu
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it looks like hes about 2 sneeze

    Belinda Crum
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You would think that these people, not giving consent to use their photos for some crazy a*s ad, would be able to sue or something.

    Jenifer Cappello
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you model for stock photo, its basically a free use for any commercial and non-commercial reason, and you sign a release consent during the whole thing. So they probably already had.

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    earringnut
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thou shalt not bare false witness.

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    #13

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways In college a photography student took some pictures of me playing classical guitar; I ended up in a viagra ad. I was 19.

    E-iz , andreas160578 Report

    glowworm2
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, Viagra is known for tightening some strings.

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Want to be the man you were at 19?"

    Uwe Theiss
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After the AIDS-add-Guy said that the add didn't affect his dating live, I am curious to know if this had any effect :D

    A B C
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well that escalated quickly. And you know what else escalates quickly...? ;)

    #14

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways I'm in the header of my university's grad school application. Whenever someone posts a screenshot of their acceptance email, Facebook facial recognition asks if I want to tag myself

    utsa7 , Pexels Report

    Lotte
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i mean its great publicity!?

    Kateri
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do you tag yourself? o.o

    Ryo Bakura
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Totally got accepted to do my law degree! Who's Steve Vanderbilt, and why is he tagged in my screenshot?"

    #15

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways My family did a stock photo shoot when our kids where young (like 1 and 3). A picture they took on our porch ended up in the opening credits for The Americans

    mellotronplayer Report

    A B C
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was asking myself "why blurr it when it's shown in the intro of a series?" and googled it. To everyone else having the same questions: there are portrait fotos taped over their faces in the video.

    LuckyL
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ohh, this one is actually the right picture. had to also google it. most of the other pictures in this post don't seem to be the real images

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    The Girl on Fire
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20sAhKwWeJQ You can see it at 0:20, if you were curious

    Jess De La Souza
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI5lCYHqJbo it was blurred for the show too...now I am wondering if the images are of people from stock photos or other places too??

    Adria Thelen
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow. found all the frames for the opening. http://mandaliet.com/americans/

    Nia Loves Art
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why didn’t they use old pictures for The Americans?

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    #16

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways Not me but my best friend: He did a photo shoot in some construction-worker garb and a hard hat. We live in North Carolina USA. I’m on a business trip in Chicago, and I stop by a Walmart for some supplies. I’m in the men’s work clothes isle and there’s my buddy prominently on the wrapping of 50ish packages of work shirts. It was a weird “wait, where am I?” moment. I knew he did some modeling, but not specifics. I sent him a pic, he had no idea it had been used. The guy is in every Walmart in the country and had no idea.

    Boris_art , jarmoluk Report

    Wil Vanderheijden
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's what happens. The photographer got more out of this deal than the friend did.

    JP
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think that tile would stick better if there was some mastic down... Just sayin'. ;)

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks. I was confused about what he was holding.

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    #17

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways I let a photographer friend take a stock photo of me. I looked sad in it and it ended up on some website about victims of abuse.

    kerpud , Ridofranz Report

    Kaisu
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's for an important cause though!

    Bettina Krumböck
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Certainly, but do you want to live with anybody looking at you "Is Kaisu the raped one?" That must be your choice. Imagine somebody was really abused and fell into a depression coz not ready to be outed? Plus: A real victim would be made really vulnerable, plus some ppl get distanced when they find out, you have problems... Not so easy to get such a stamp. Guess, why so many don´t even go to police, coz they are scared of uncontrolled exposition...

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Think of it this way: You are actually helping victims of abuse to get help.

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would demand that website take my photo down or I’d take them to court. But, that wouldn’t happen bc I would never let anyone take a stock photo of me.

    ThatOneOwl
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I gotta admit though, she DOES look kinda sad.

    #18

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways I did a stock photo shoot about 10 years ago and my photos show up in the weirdest places: 3 ex-boyfriends have texted me out of the blue after my stock photo showed up in their work training modules Someone in my senior capstone class used my photo in their class presentation and didn’t realize it was me until everyone kept awkwardly looking at the screen and looking back at me. Every so often, my face pops up in a “sassy black lady” meme, paired with text like “DEVIL DON’T TRY ME TODAY!” or “TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED! TYPE AMEN IF YOU AGREE!” The weirdest in my opinion: My mom decided to join some crappy MLM makeup company because she was flipping through their catalog and saw that they had used one of my old stock photos as one of their makeup models. I was very obviously not wearing their makeup in the photos and my stock photo didn’t match any of the other models’ photos. Basically, whoever designed the catalog was like “oh snap, we need some diversity in here”, but they were too lazy to actually hire another model so they just grabbed a stock photo of a black chick and called it a day. The strange thing is that my mom joined the company because my photo was in the catalog, but she had to have known that I wasn’t wearing the company’s makeup....because she personally did my makeup for that stock photo shoot 5+ years earlier.

    calcetina , Giulio Fornasar Report

    sunnyrei82
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    how many of you actually went on google looking for the memes she mentioned?

    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Daniel
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mothers love their kids. The fact that the situation does not make sense is irrelevant.

    Peko
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #19

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways My ex used to work with a local photographer who is apparently pretty well known. He took a photo of me and my family and now it’s a permanent piece at the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe. So strange. I wonder how many people’s houses I’m in.

    marshmallowskies , jill111 Report

    Cat Mac
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That sounds like a great honor. I hope you get to see it one day.

    L.j. Bus
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, it is a gorgeous photo

    danielw
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually, we kinda do know. Water mark in bottom right 'not the actual photo'

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    #20

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways Not me, but a buddy of mine dated someone whose photo was used in picture frames. She hadn't mentioned this to my buddy, however. The two of them were in Macys one day and he turned to say something to her and realized behind her was a full wall of frames, all with her photo in it. She hadn't looked that way and apparently his expression was of sheer terror.

    greebytime , Lazare Report

    Uwe Theiss
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In his place my only thought would be "It's a trap! Get out!". Poor guy.

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are now entering The Twilight Zone.

    Anita Holleufer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “ she hadn’t looked that way? “ What is that supposed to mean?

    Parmeisan
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She hadn't glanced in the direction of the frames yet.

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    #21

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways So I like to work as an extra in commercials and stock photo graphy. I knew a shoot I was doing was for an expensive large tech company but they didn't tell me what it was for. A few weeks later my friends who work at said tech company told me they saw my photo in those mandatory sexual harassment training courses online. So yeah probably that.

    whydidijointhis , William Bayreuther Report

    THEPS
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would you let people take your photo without finding out what they are going to do with it ?

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Moral of the story: when someone asks to take your photo, inquire why, and what will they use photo for. Also, get it in writing.

    #22

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways My friend was in a stock photo where he held up a baby picture, and it got used for an anti-circumcision ad campaign. Was pretty shocked when I saw his face on the side of a bus

    skippinglives3 , Free-Photos Report

    Jane Alexander
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "The unkindest cut of all" It's been called and rightly so! That little bit of skin, if left on a baby will grow into about six square inches of highly erogenous tissue. (The average man is about 3 or more inches in circumference and the skin is two-sided) Men have sued their parents over this tragic and senseless loss. The uncircumcised, more sensitive man is an exquisite partner too.

    Margaret Terrell Williams
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With the exception of my ex-fiance. Absolutely nothing exquisite about him in the bedroom.

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    Wendy J Shores
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most people don't know you can be partially circumcised. My sons are and so was my ex and apparently its the best of both worlds. A friend of mine's ex wasn't circumcised and he ended up getting an infection in his 40s and had to have it done at that age. Ouch!

    HOUSE
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Held up a baby or held up a baby picture?

    Jeremy
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    How did u see his face?

    LuckyL
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is not the real picture here - so probably he looked to the camera and held up a picture

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    Bob Beltcher
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Anti-circumcision? Why does it matter?

    Uwe Theiss
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cause mostly it is done to kids or babys. It is an unnecessary assault to mutilate a child. If an adult want to cut of a part of his penis, let him do it. He can even cut off everything. But parents should not be allowed to make this choice for their children. Cause you can't fix it after it is done.

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    #23

    The university took a bunch of professional photos of me and some friends for their billboards and campaigns. I was pretty surprised to open a handbook and find out I was the face of their fine arts program. Especially pottery. I was a neuroscience major.

    manlikerealities Report

    Ryo Bakura
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    "Excuse me, but I've noticed that my photo was used in your handbook." "Okay, so is there a problem?" "Well it makes me look like I'm into pottery." "And?" "And... I'm a neuroscience major." "Good for you. I don't see your point." "It makes it seem like..." "You have other interests? You can know about more than one thing?" "I mean it's just... I'm super smart, and stuff like that is beneath me." "Yeah? Well get off your high horse, Mr. Genius, and realize that you agreed to have your photo taken, and the photographer gets to do what they want with their property."

    #24

    Not me, but my younger brother had his picture taken when he was about nine or ten for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. My brother was a really cute red headed kid with freckles and they asked my mom if they could use his photo for their promotional materials. A few months later, we get a brochure in the mail with my brother's face on it talking about the Big Brother's program. It was really funny because they had changed his name to " Timmy" and in little kid handwriting written things like, " I reely need a big brotha" and " have you found me a big brotha yet?" And then ended it with " Love, Timmy". My siblings and I laughed a lot over it and called my brother " Timmy" for weeks.

    Rella17 Report

    #25

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways I was asked to go to a big opening event party for a park in China. As a "foreigner" this kind of thing is pretty common, they want some white faces. Free food & drink, all the other guests had to pay. But in the end they start guilt tripping me... "Put on this traditional Chinese costume" they say, some kind of kung fu looking robe thing... "let us take some pictures" they say... Fine, I let them do it. A few weeks go by and random people start pointing me out in public. My students are giggling in class. Finally when I'm out and about someone approaches me... "are you the guy.. from..." and shows me a picture on the phone, my likeness in chinese traditional wear has been printed on building sized billboards around the city. I look goofy as f**k. All around the city where I live and work.

    drilldor , Jorge Zapata Report

    Eunice Probert
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah, I think the confusion has come about because the photo in the post is not the photo that was being written about.

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    Monday
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What was being advertised though? The event place itself?

    HOUSE
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok but this isn't the picture because the man is definately not white

    LuckyL
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    none of these pictures are the related pictures

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    Wyndmere
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where is the “white guy” in that photo?

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How many drinks did he have?

    Ryo Bakura
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That "Kung Fu looking robe thing" is called a Gi.

    Bettina Krumböck
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ... i have to re-check that pic i found online, guessing i saw my Doppelgängerin on a demo.. where i certainly never was.. now i start getting it, why some police officer didn´t believe me saying "I was not there" (I was whitness against some neonazis, so they check fb account n stuff to know if I am trustworthy).. oooh...

    Aroha
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Many many years ago in China, I was invited to a company party. I said I will see if I can go, but found out later that I couldn't. Big mistake. They had already printed in the paper that a foreigner will "sing and perform" at this party, come watch! I don't sing or perform. Ever.

    Anggi Pangastuti
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My friend's husband tried on a Halloween costume in a club and later we found his picture with the costume in taobao shop

    Bob Beltcher
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trojan horse move. They wine and dined you and then made you fell guilty and had you dress as an a*s just so they could take pictures of you that make you look like a clown. Asians can be rasist too.

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    #26

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways My parents once went into a print shop near-ish to where they lived and saw a picture frame for sale with an oddly familiar looking stock photo in it for display. You know how frames usually come with some flimsy B&W stock photo of a couple or a family or something. Except it wasn't a stock photo, it was them on their wedding day!! Apparently their photographer had some kind of connection to the shop and had his photos on display there. My parents were definitely surprised to see their wedding pics on public display, but they thought it was cute :)

    TapiocaTeacup , alyabozieva Report

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He really should have asked them first, out of courtesy.

    Hannah Ingram
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    there are forms for that, which basically say if the photographer has the right to use those photos, otherwise, they can get sued.

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    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wouldn’t be too happy especially since there was no permission given. But, if your parents were happy....hey!

    Josh Smith
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Buy them! Bam Your wedding photos are already framed!

    #27

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways My father is a photographer and so my sister and I were models for stock photography. I was on shopping bags in Mexico, my sister was in a bank brochure. My favorite though is when my sister's high school science class was reading from a textbook an she sees a picture of me, putting mascara on in a mirror. She yelled out to the class, "Hey that's my sister!" Apparently it gave everyone a good laugh. On a less funny note, I was a kinda chubby kid so my dad did a whole shoot of me in a grey tracksuit looking sad on a scale, and pinching my belly fat in the mirror....etc....ended up on being used in a child obesity campaign. He didn't tell me what it was used in until years later.

    haileykitt , Adrienn Report

    THEPS
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree ! That was a crappy thing to do.

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    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tell your dad you're entitled to HALF of the $$ he made then see if he thinks it's funny!

    John Seidel
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He had to pay for your food somehow;) (joking, don't have a cow)

    #28

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways I won a body transformation contest on a bodybuilding site when I was 17. 10 years later, I and others I knew started seeing my photos in ads for random supplements I had never heard of.

    corianton , Pavel-Jurca Report

    HOUSE
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    The face looks like a butch lesbian

    #29

    30 Times People From Stock Photos Found Their Pics Being Used In Weird Ways A friend of ours was in a commercial for herpes medication a couple of years after we graduated college, and we recognized him randomly while watching a show with my mother in law. We were like, “hey it’s [our friend] from school!” We went to a school with strong religious ties and my mother in law is very religious. Right after we said this my mother in law was appalled and said, “wait, he has herpes????!!!”

    Kbrownnd97 , Dmitry Bayer Report

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not how stock photos work, Lady.

    Uwe Theiss
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Prejudice confirmed. Religious people are not that bright.

    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Prejudice confirmed. Theiss people lazily give in to stereotypes.

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    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    See? This is why one doesn’t have stock photos taken of them without knowledge of what they’ll be specifically used for. And, GET THAT IN WRITING.

    MammaG
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    YOU MORON, learn the definition of STOCK PHOTO!

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    Nia Loves Art
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s different from a stock photo. If he was in a commercial he knew exactly how it would be used.

    #30

    I had a very small modeling career in middle and high school. My first real photo shoot was for stock photos. The deal was around $100 and I signed the rights to the photos over to the photographer, but was able to add the photos to my portfolio. When I got the photos I hated them (I was super nervous and looked uncomfortable in most of them). Needless to say, I was never called back to that photographer. At the end of high school I had to decide if I was going to pursue modeling or go to college for teaching. I choose to be a teacher. Fast forward to 8 years later, one of my coworkers mentioned that the picture on the loading screen of the grading program looked like me. I never needed to use the program being the special education co-teacher. Well, we pulled up the gradebook and there it was, one of the awful stock photos I took. The photo was their logo and loading screen for several years. That company/program is used by school districts in over 70 countries. All of my surrounding counties also use it. I still find it funny that being a teacher is probably the only way I would have found out about it. Funny side story, my husband works at the same school and for three years of entering grades he did not notice that picture was me. When we finally showed him he said "Oh I did think you looked alot alike."

    cherrybloom28 Report

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You made the right choice. We need good teachers, especially for special needs children.

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You definitely made the right choice. Looks fade but teaching is forever.

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