If you're looking for an industry that has excellent, ethical representation of people of various races and ethnicities, the world of stock photos is probably not the answer you're looking for.
It's pretty hard to miss that the people most often featured in stock images - professional photographs of common circumstances that are often used in advertising or the media - are overwhelmingly white.
Due to the vast under-representation of people of colour in stock image galleries, those browsing for an image to accompany their story, book or advert, are far more likely to choose an image featuring white people. This therefore further drives the under-representation of people of colour in the ads and imagery we all see around us in our day-to-day life.
However, a new service recently began in the US to combat this.
BRWN Stock Imaging launched only last week, but have already gone viral due to the enormous amount of thankful responses they've received from people who had been ardently wishing for more black and brown people in the ads and articles we see every day.
Founder Porsha Antalan and brand strategist Mahogany Brown spoke to AJ+, saying that stock images of black people experiencing everyday situations like eating dinner, going to work, travelling, or showing affection were difficult to find - so they decided to fix it.
"It's not just about us," said Antalan. "There's other sites out there just like us. But I was surprised that a lot of people just don't know [about them].
"We have to create our own opportunities. We can do this, you know? Don't wait around for other people. Go ahead and make your move."
We have to create our own opportunities. We can do this, you know? Don't wait around for other people. Go ahead and make your move.
Despite the company only launching on June 26, the company has received overwhelming support on Twitter.
Supporters are already requesting particular photos that they have needed in the past, and have been unable to find - one major example being black same-sex couples.
