• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
November 25, 2013

Feminism, According to Stock Photography

By Emily Shornick

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet

Here at the Cut, we often need illustrations for stories about women, and sometimes we turn to stock photography to meet those needs. But what does a stock service suggest when one searches for empowered female? (Hint: dumbbells and paintbrushes.) Does a stock service understand the feminine sass implied by girl power, or does it respond with scantily clad women clutching power tools? What sorts of photos does it recommend for woman with positive body image? Do stock photo companies think women can have it all?

We know that stock photography is designed to trade in cliches; we’re well acquainted with Women Laughing Alone With Salad. But after searching for working woman and turning up umpteen images of multi-ethnic women examining X-rays, we realized that the world of stock-photo tropes is richer and weirder than we had imagined. If this is how feminism looks to the world, maybe what a woman really needs is a stock agency of one’s own.

Click through to our slideshow to learn how to be a feminist according to stock photos.

View
1 / 30 Photos
Women wearing boxing gloves with business attire. Search terms: empowered female, girl power ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; ... Women wearing boxing gloves with business attire. Search terms: empowered female, girl power ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Corbis; Corbis; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com Photo: Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Corbis; Corbis; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com
Women wearing boxing gloves with sexy outfits — or nothing at all. Search term: feminist ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; Shut... Women wearing boxing gloves with sexy outfits — or nothing at all. Search term: feminist ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com Photo: Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com
Women wearing boxing gloves with workout attire. Search terms: girl power, feminist ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; ... Women wearing boxing gloves with workout attire. Search terms: girl power, feminist ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Corbis; Shutterstock.com Photo: Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Corbis; Shutterstock.com
Lone businesswoman on a cliff. Search term: career woman ----- Photo: Shutterstock.com Photo: Shutterstock.com
More businesswomen standing on cliffs. Search term: careeer woman ----- Photos: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Corbis Photo: ... More businesswomen standing on cliffs. Search term: careeer woman ----- Photos: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Corbis Photo: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Corbis
Women climbing impossible things. Search term: career woman ----- Photos: Corbis; Shutterstock.com Photo: Corbis; Shutterstock.com
Women climbing ladders. Search terms: career woman, businesswoman ----- Photos: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; Corbis Photo: iStoc... Women climbing ladders. Search terms: career woman, businesswoman ----- Photos: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; Corbis Photo: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; Corbis
Looking down on women climbing ladders. Search term: career woman ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; Corbis; iStockphoto Photo: Shutterstock.com; ... Looking down on women climbing ladders. Search term: career woman ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; Corbis; iStockphoto Photo: Shutterstock.com; Corbis; iStockphoto
Climb, baby, climb! Search term: career woman ----- Photo: Shutterstock.com Photo: Shutterstock.com
Women holding dumbbells and smiling. Search term: girl power ----- Photos: iStockphoto; iStockphoto; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto... Women holding dumbbells and smiling. Search term: girl power ----- Photos: iStockphoto; iStockphoto; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; iStockphoto Photo: iStockphoto; iStockphoto; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; iStockphoto
  Woman holding dumbbells and climbing. Search term: career woman ----- Photo: Shutterstock.com Photo: Shutterstock.com
Women collapsing on technology. Search term: career woman ----- Photos: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Corbis Photo: iStockph... Women collapsing on technology. Search term: career woman ----- Photos: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Corbis Photo: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Corbis
Business-casual woman holding a folder. Search term: career woman Photo: Adrian Weinbrecht/Corbis
More women holding folders. Search terms: career woman, business woman ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; Corbis; Corbis; Corbis Photo: Shuttersto... More women holding folders. Search terms: career woman, business woman ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; Corbis; Corbis; Corbis Photo: Shutterstock.com; Corbis; Corbis; Corbis
Still more women holding folders. Search terms: career woman, business woman ----- Photos: Corbis; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Corbis; Corbi... Still more women holding folders. Search terms: career woman, business woman ----- Photos: Corbis; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Corbis; Corbis Photo: Corbis; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Corbis; Corbis
Women with bananas. Search terms: career woman, feminist, woman with positive body image ----- Photos: iStockphoto; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.c... Women with bananas. Search terms: career woman, feminist, woman with positive body image ----- Photos: iStockphoto; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto Photo: iStockphoto; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto
Women holding tools. Search terms: girl power, feminist ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; iStock... Women holding tools. Search terms: girl power, feminist ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; iStockphoto Photo: Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; iStockphoto
Sexy women holding power tools... Search term: girl power ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com Photo: Shutterstock.com
...and this one woman using a power sander to perfect her pedicure, naturally. Search term: girl power ----- Photo: Shutterstock.com Photo: Shu... ...and this one woman using a power sander to perfect her pedicure, naturally. Search term: girl power ----- Photo: Shutterstock.com Photo: Shutterstock.com
Multitasking octopus women. Search terms: career woman, businesswoman ----- Photos: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shuttersto... Multitasking octopus women. Search terms: career woman, businesswoman ----- Photos: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com Photo: iStockphoto; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock.com
So. Many. Arms. Search terms: career woman, businesswoman Photo: iStockphoto; iStockphoto; iStockphoto; Corbis
Independent women painting walls. Search term: independent woman Photo: Corbis
Women measuring their waists. Search term: woman with positive body image ----- Photos: Corbis; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto Photo: Corbis; Sh... Women measuring their waists. Search term: woman with positive body image ----- Photos: Corbis; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto Photo: Corbis; Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto
Small woman. Giant pants. Search term: woman with positive body image Photo: iStockphoto
Women looking at X-rays. Search term: career woman Photo: Corbis
They will find the answers soon, only if they keep looking at X-rays. Search terms: career woman Photo: Corbis
So many broken people, so little time. Search term: career woman Photo: Corbis
Women's heels conquering menswear. Search term: feminist Photo: iStockphoto
Womens' heels conquering men. Search term: feminist ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; iStockphoto Photo: Shutterstock.com; iStockpho... Womens' heels conquering men. Search term: feminist ----- Photos: Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; iStockphoto Photo: Shutterstock.com; iStockphoto; iStockphoto
Women's heels conquering tiny men. Search term: businesswoman Photo: Corbis
1 / 30

Tags:

  • stock photography feminism
  • feminism
  • stock photography
  • working women
  • empowerment
  • girl power
  • gender studies
  • slideshow
  • More

More Galleries

campaign trail Apr. 12, 2021
7 Women on Where They’re Finding Hope These Days  A new fashion campaign that focuses on the positive. 
fashion Mar. 15, 2021
Dramatic Wedding Gowns Inspired by Flowers  Danielle Frankel bridges the gap between bridal and fashion. 
campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.