Stock Image on a flyer

[NicoleScraps]

I need to make up a flyer to promote a Christmas special that I am trying to do. Problem is that I do not have an image of my own to put on the flyer.
Would it be totally unethical to put a royalty free stock image on the flyer that is similar to the way my Christmas photos would turn out?
I wouldn't outright lie and say that I took the photo, if asked. But I am just kind of stuck on this issue and not sure what to do. This coming weekend, I am setting up a small table in the mall (black friday shopping weekend) and I want to just pass out flyers to anyone who will take one. So I have no time to go out, buy a tree, decorate it, take photos of either my family or some friend to use on the flyer. Not with hosting Thanksgiving this Thursday and all of the work that I need to do for that.
I would rather just spend a little money on a stock image and be done with it. Next year's flyer will not be a problem.
Any thoughts?

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by NicoleScraps

I need to make up a flyer to promote a Christmas special that I am trying to do. Problem is that I do not have an image of my own to put on the flyer.
Would it be totally unethical to put a royalty free stock image on the flyer that is similar to the way my Christmas photos would turn out?
I wouldn't outright lie and say that I took the photo, if asked. But I am just kind of stuck on this issue and not sure what to do. This coming weekend, I am setting up a small table in the mall (black friday shopping weekend) and I want to just pass out flyers to anyone who will take one. So I have no time to go out, buy a tree, decorate it, take photos of either my family or some friend to use on the flyer. Not with hosting Thanksgiving this Thursday and all of the work that I need to do for that.
I would rather just spend a little money on a stock image and be done with it. Next year's flyer will not be a problem.
Any thoughts?

it would be safer to set one up yourself and take it or find a Christmas display and take a picture of the trees, gifts and whatever that's there.

[nokiN]

Many stock photo RF use licenses wouldn't allow that kind of commercial usage (advertising), without an additional fee.

[BK553]

Just grab some ornaments and Christmas lights, throw them on a reflective surface (piano, table), open that aperture all the way up, and shoot away. You'll have a nice, bokeh-riffic photo all your own.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by BK553

Just grab some ornaments and Christmas lights, throw them on a reflective surface (piano, table), open that aperture all the way up, and shoot away. You'll have a nice, bokeh-riffic photo all your own.

That sounds like a good idea. I'll see what I can come up with. I am on a tight time frame cause these have to be printed and ready to go by Friday. I just got the all-clear to set up this weekend like 12 hours ago, so I have almost no planning time.
Other than a little flyer (post card size) that I want to hand out, I am just going to have some 8x10's printed of my best work, put them in frames and maybe have some sort of drawing for something free, just to get my hands on some names, phone numbers and email addresses so that I can do follow-ups.

Originally Posted by NicoleScraps

That sounds like a good idea. I'll see what I can come up with. I am on a tight time frame cause these have to be printed and ready to go by Friday. I just got the all-clear to set up this weekend like 12 hours ago, so I have almost no planning time.
Other than a little flyer (post card size) that I want to hand out, I am just going to have some 8x10's printed of my best work, put them in frames and maybe have some sort of drawing for something free, just to get my hands on some names, phone numbers and email addresses so that I can do follow-ups.

Welcome to the reality of professional photography.

Get it done now, under budget and it better be amazing. Did I mention I wanted now??!?

C'est la vie, mon cherie!

~Eric

[BK553]

Yep. I had another idea for you that may be easier, just swing by your local mall. A lot of stores are getting their stuff up now, I'm sure you could 'sneak" in an grab some shots before anyone bothers you. that's how I'd do it. Ninja Style.

[AnneWynne]

Unless you are doing the special images in front of a holiday scene, go with your best shots that are more seasonal (ie, avoid beach scenes unless you are in Hawaii). You can make up flyers with a Christmas/holiday theme (something like this:
Anne Edens Photography's Photos - Wall Photos | Facebook)

I use 4 by 6 prints all the time to advertise my work...larger than a business card, not as foldable as a paper flyer, clearly states what I am offering. The link above is a "Keeper Card" I designed...the front is the holiday greeting, a standard size image is printed on the back, ready to frame, hence the name keeper card.

Easy to do in PS using digital scrapbooking papers...I can send you the .psd for this file if you want it, just let me know. It is sized for a 5 by 7.

[Biomech]

I'd probably go with Brians idea - I was thinking as I read your post that it might be an idea to approach some local business who has put up a christmas window display. That way it (should) look very nice and saves time. Ask first, if they don't go for it, offer to include their shop name on the flyers small print.

[KimberlyH]

If you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner and will have friends and family there that will be bringing children why not do a couple of photos outside with two of the kids peeking through a pine wreath with a red bow on it. you can usually pick up a wreath like that pretty cheap at Wal-Mart (run in...run out.)