I produce a lot of content for this website so I am constantly on the lookout for the some good stock photography. But one of the hardest things to find is a photo of a private investigator that doesn’t look absolutely ridiculous or cliché.
Here are some gems that I wanted to share with you.
At the conclusion of this post, you should be able to spot a private investigator from a mile away. Either by their long lens camera sticking out of a vehicle; their fedora, pipe and loaded (sometimes smoking) handgun; or by the classified documents stuffed in their jacket pocket.
Private Investigator Photo #1
If you are on a surveillance, trying to take secret photos of someone, and you go through all the trouble of tinting your windows so that nobody can see you in your vehicle, it’s probably best to keep the windows closed.
Just saying…
Private Investigator Photo #2
Hanging out of the window of a vehicle with a telephoto lens is typically not the best idea if you are trying to stay under the radar. A grey suit is probably not the smartest choice of attire either. Of course, you never know when you may have to go to a business meeting, but comfort usually trumps style when you are stuck in a car for a 12-hour day.
Private Investigator Photo #3
Fedora? Check.
Magnifying Glass? Check.
Briar pipe? Check.
Inquisitive look? Check.
No need to check his identification; he’s definitely a private investigator.
Private Investigator Photo #4
Here is one of the rare stock photos of a female private investigator. She has been careful to coordinate the colors of her leather jacket with her handgun. And the smoky background is a nice touch. She looks like she is ready to intimidate some witnesses or rough someone up. At the very least, she is not taking any crap from anyone. Because that’s just what private investigators do.
Private Investigator Photo #5
How would you ever know that this guy was a private investigator?
Did the black fedora give it away?
Or the smoking pipe?
Or is it that befuddled look on his face?
Private Investigator Photo #6
When you need to transport important documents, it’s always best to mark a bright yellow folder with the words “CLASSIFIED” and ”TOP SECRET” just in case they get into the wrong hands. And always carry them inside your suit jacket where absolutely nobody will notice.
Private Investigator Photo #7
When speaking to anyone by telephone, it’s typically a good idea to have a camera with a large telephoto lens at your fingertips in case you need to take some quick snapshots.
Having a handgun within arms length is always a good idea as well. It’s a well know fact that private investigators are distracted when they are on the phone and it’s an excellent time to engage in a sneak attack.
Private Investigator Photo #8
I am at a loss of words here. From the 1980s walkie talkie, to the bow tie and jacket, to the perplexed look on his face. I think this guy might need a makeover (and some new equipment).
Private Investigator Photo #9
The good ‘ol “looking through the blinds” photo. I can’t for the life of me figure out why he is sitting on the ground. Or why his phone and briefcase are on the floor next to him.
I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but there is a good chance that his leg is going to fall asleep sitting in that position. Those pins and needles are a pain.
Private Investigator Photo #10
What would a collection of private investigator photos can never be without the classic deerstalker hat made famous by Sherlock Holmes. And you can never leave home without your trusty magnifying glass.
Hilarious set of photos!
I can compare this to using social media. The general public just want to see and hear all the exciting stuff, like the car chases, shootouts, breaking and entering to steal files…..
Then there’s the reality, such as exchanging letters and emails for months trying to convince someone they cannot hide behind the data protection act and must legally provide the documents we require!
Wait.. so you don’t have a fedora and magnifying glass? I thought that was a requirement?
In all seriousness, this has to do lot with the misunderstanding of the Private Investigations profession. The images are taken by photographers that try to over accentuate private investigators by giving them fedoras, guns, pipes, trench coats, secret gadgets – you get the idea.
Side street cartoonist do this all the time. They focus on one feature and really make it pop. Do you have a mole on the side of your nose? Let’s turn your head into Molly McMoleface.
This private investigator over accentuation makes people believe that we have some sort of super power or secret access to tools that no one else can get. If you use these types of images, you are going to attract people who believe in those powers.
I’ve seriously considered starting a section on our website called “Real life PI’s” and having pictures of regular people to show clients that investigators don’t look like those on TV.
I think that good investigators, are the ones who fit the part. Great investigators are the ones who can’t be told apart.
Personally, I hate using the cliche PI images you listed. Some of our clients request that we add them on their websites, others want us to avoid them like the plague.
I love to work with images that represent a sentiment, idea, or vision, without throwing it at a viewer’s face.
The picture you have on your homepage with the umbrella? that has nothing to do with Investigations, but a person can deduct that you protect them. You are leading charge, or that you are prepared for the unexpected. It sells an idea.
As an example: What makes us different? We are Resilient. (Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.)
Instead of using a picture of a man climbing over a fence, they should use a picture of a small plant breaking through concrete. It get’s the same point across – nothing is going to get on my way.
…. why would a private investigator ever have to chase after a subject? … that’s a different topic of discussion…
Awesome article, I’ll definitely be sending people your way to show them what I mean by cliche images!
Can’t agree with you any more Ruben. My favorite is this: “If you use these types of images, you are going to attract people who believe in those powers.” That is 100% accurate. But what bothers me, is that even if you don’t use those images or even remotely portray that kind of investigator, you STILL get those kind of crazy inquiries. Every. Single. Day.
Which brings me back to the whole perception of a private investigator…which still sucks.
(Find out more here: https://diligentiagroup.com/latest-news/what-is-the-perception-of-a-private-investigator-it-kind-of-sucks/)
I really don’t think the people that submit the inquiries are reading anything on the page. They find your page, see that you are a private investigator, click on contact us, then submit their request. We get them from time to time, and we don’t even advertise investigation services.
We use tool that records visitor movements on a website and have actually caught a few people land on our site, and click through to the first contact form and fill out the information and immediately leave the page. It is a 100% copy&paste.
I think they’re looking for anyone who can respond to them. Maybe they are seeking attention?
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In regards to the perception that we have, I think it has a lot to do with the industry as a whole. I remember reading your article when you posted a couple of years ago, and it’s very accurate.
For every one honest/ethical investigator, you will find three or four willing to step on that gray area with no concern to clients. The TV Show, Cheaters, also helped to put us in bad light.
Pushing shows aside, I think there are a lot of unskilled or inexperienced investigators that tarnish our reputation by not thinking about their actions. I help manage a few PI groups, and you’d be surprised at the number of arguments that come up.
Last year, I wrote an article labeled “private investigators are killing their personal brand one question and answer at a time”. And no one really cared about it. It is still happening.
https://investigatormarketing.com/private-investigators-are-killing-their-personal-brand-one-question-at-a-time/
I add to your “copy and paste” form observations, I get about 10 – 20 of these a week. I personally respond to every single one by email or phone, and I get a response back probably less than 10% of the time. It’s a phenomena that I just can’t explain.
I think that people like the idea of hiring an investigator, but when it actually comes to the reality that you have to pay for services or that you really can’t just find out how much has in their bank account, they back away.
That’s a perception from the general public; it’s much different coming from lawyers or businesses. Which is why some investigators refuse to work with the general public.
I have coined your phraseology of being a garbage collector. The following day or week they would seem to forget and ask me where did I work again ? Sanitation engineer I reply. “Oh yea that’s right”
Thank you for that Brian!
Works every time Will.
Having recently overhauled my firm’s website, I can attest to the difficulty of finding private investigation stock photos that don’t look ridiculous. I told my web guy, no magnifying glasses, no deerstalker hats, and no binoculars. PERIOD!
Where’s the more realistic stock photo of a frustrated investigator with bloodshot eyes staring at a computer screen reading through pages and pages of trial transcripts?
Or the one with a tired looking, overweight investigator with a three-day beard sitting in the front seat of his surveillance vehicle eating a hamburger with a ketchup stain on his rumpled shirt and an mysterious, unlabeled half-full bottle of what appears to be apple juice lying in his front seat?
(Pro tip: don’t drink unlabeled bottles of “apple juice.”)
Thanks for the laughs, Brian.
Jason Attas
Cornerstone Intelligence, LLC
Waco, TX
That’s one hell of a tip Jason! Duly noted.
Brian,
I really enjoy your comments, photos, etc. Keep it up. I am a Private Investigator in Gainesville, Ga and always read your site.
When you come from 40 years of criminal defense as an attorney–law enforcement does not love you much! Ha!
Rich Brannon
Thanks for the comment Rich!
Thanks for the laughs, Brian! So many of these stock photos appear to be made in Russia, Georgia and other countries where the P.I. industry is pretty new. Don’t forget the numerous spies with an early onset of presbyopia, such as this young investigator in need of reading glasses AND a magnifying glass to look at her computer screen
http://depositphotos.com/21899637/stock-photo-spy-at-work.html
She has a short temper – and she’s packing!
http://depositphotos.com/model/21899637.html?qview=21872089
Those are some good ones Emmanuelle!
Hey Brian, hope all is well. Thanks for the laugh. I’ll keep on the lookout for more. What I find more entertaining is the perception and reaction I get from the public when tell them what I do. That’s your next topic (maybe). In preparation for that story, I have adopted Maxwell Smart’s response, “I’m a greeting card salesman.”
I go with garbageman. No explanation needed.
“You know my methods, Watson.” – Sherlock Holmes.
Brian, in photo #9 the circumstances are obvious, yet leave us with two scenarios. One, the private eye just moved into new digs and is waiting for delivery of his office furniture which will arrive sometime between 8 and 4. He has nowhere else to sit.
Or two, the undercapitalized private eye could not afford to buy furniture so he rented. Now he is watching the bailiffs take away his beautiful oak desk.
I must lean toward scenario one due to the conspicuous absence of files strewn about.
Of course, I could be wrong.
Doug
I think you are right on the money Doug. He’s probably waiting for his furniture, but thinks someone is spying on him. ;)