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    Imagery

Imagery Overview and Elements

The use of imagery on our website constitutes a primary, visual method of communication. It’s used in banners, in promotional content, in eCommerce-related content, and in many other ways. We use photographic images rather infrequently and—when used for something other than banners—they’re intended to visually elevate the copy. ScanSource is intentional about its personal involvement with suppliers and its straightforward, customer-centric business model. We want any imagery we use to reflect that intent. 


Below are the core elements represented in our photography:

  • Subject
  • color
  • composition
  • story
Every image featured on our site should have a clear subject, or an intentional lack of one. 

  • Subjects in ScanSource imagery should be diverse, appear approachable, and display a friendly demeanor.
  • If the subject is a person or group of people, make sure the faces are in focus - with the assumption that their reactions and emotions play a part in their being chosen as the subject.
  • If the subject is an item or person interacting with an item, make sure the identifier of said item is in focus, well lit, and intentionally framed.
  • If there is no discernible subject (I.e., it's a pattern image or landscape view), then make sure there is something contained in the frame to direct the eye to it in a meaningful way. 
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subject-image-02
Most of our imagery is in color, whether full brightness, or dimmed by a gray overlay. There are a few cases where a black and white image is used and necessary, but in most cases, color images are used.

  • When finding an image to use, try to make sure that they are well lit and are neither overwhelmingly bright, nor dark.
  • Before choosing an image, take a look at images already in use and images in our library and try to tonally align the color with already approved colors. 
  • In our imagery, there is a high prioritization of neutrals (including grays, browns, and whites), as well as an inclination towards cooler tones, and a desaturation of warmer tones.
Most of ScanSource’s approved imagery is found on Shutterstock. There are several photographers whose work follows a similar theme. These rules will help identify what specifics to look for in stock imagery.

  • Imagery chosen must follow the “rule of thirds”, where the area in focus must appear a reasonable length away from the edge of the frame and not quite directly centered.
  • To follow the visual direction of established approved photography, try and choose imagery with a shallow depth of field, so that the subject is always crisp and sharp, and the background is always blurred.
  • Most images we use have some sort of glare coming from the background in some way. If an appropriate image with glare cannot be found, default to an image with strong contrast between foreground and background.
subject-image-02
subject-image-02
As stated earlier, we prefer to use imagery that displays a sense of diversity and approachability. Imagery that displays authentic connections, as well as some sort of action being completed or in process should take priority.

  • Choose photographs that have a sense of motion to them. If subjects are seated, then have them interacting with something or someone, or have them preparing to begin an action.
  • Emotion is everything. If an appropriate image cannot be found with the subject smiling or laughing, use one where authentic feelings and connections can be observed.
  • If the image shows what a subject is wearing, try to make sure they are dressed appropriately for what they are intended to be doing, or make sure they are dressed in modern, but conservative attire.  


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