9 Worst Examples of Holiday Stock Photography

Lindsey Blanchard • December 23, 2013

Images are a vital piece in any marketing message. Whether in an ad or a blog post, adding a visual aspect to your message greatly increases the likelihood that you’ll be noticed and successfully get your point across. About 90% of information processed by the brain is visual in nature, and by far the top performing social media posts are those that include photos. Yet, as any marketer knows, there is a dark underbelly in the world of stock photography.


Sure, some photos that you stumble across in a service like Shutterstock or iStock will be relevant and impactful. However, many more will be corny, and in some cases, just plain disturbing. Given the time of year, the BlinkJar staff has been writing more than our fair share of holiday-centered blogs and social media posts. Of course, that translates into lots of searches for holiday stock artwork, and in those searches, we have found more than a few really bad images.


We have compiled the worst of the worst of holiday stock photography into this single post for your viewing pleasure. Just take a look at some of the fantastically weird photos available for use in your next holiday ad, and try to imagine how the photographer and models ever decided that this was a good idea! We each have our own idea of which takes the cake as official worst holiday stock photo, but we want to get your opinion as well. Comment below to let us know which of these gets your vote, along with your best caption!


1. Nothing says Christmas quite like Santa and public urnination, amiright?

2. Santa's "Ho, Ho, Ho," Mrs. Claus' maniacal laugh - it all just screams Christmas doesn't it?

3. Is it just me, or does this look like Sam the Eagle hoarding some Andrew Jacksons?

4. I you have have a "candy cane" for more than 4 hours, consult your doctor.

5. Homeless Santa Claus doesn't like your gin.

6.) After all of those years on Tool Time, you'd think Al Borland would know how to hang up Christmas lights.

7. We're begging you, please don't do this with any of your loved ones' gifts. 

(As a side note, there are way too many stock photos available involving nudity and Christmas gifts. This was by far the most tame.)

8. Santa goes Command-ho-ho-ho!

9. Miley Cyrus really let herself go...

The fragmentation of search. Why Being Found Is No Longer Just About Google

The Fragmentation of Search: Why Being Found Is No Longer Just About Google

By Rikki Broussard • July 23, 2026
Your customers are still searching. They are just no longer searching in one place. They may start with Google, ask ChatGPT to compare their options, watch a YouTube video, look for examples on Instagram, read reviews, or open a map to find a nearby business. This does not mean your company needs to chase every new platform. It also does not mean SEO is dead. The best response to fragmented search is to strengthen the foundation you already have. Build a clear, credible website, answer the questions your customers ask, share real expertise, and ensure your business appears consistently on the platforms that matter to your audience. AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, is part of that approach. It helps search engines and AI tools find and understand your answers, but it works best when it is built on strong SEO . Why Are Customers Searching in So Many Different Places? Customers are searching in more places because they now have more ways to find the type of information they want. Every Monday during our BlinkJar staff meeting, each person brings an industry update to discuss. One recent conversation about artificial intelligence and its impact on search reminded me of what happened to television. Jared, my husband and BlinkJar’s founder , spent years working in television. At one time, a few broadcast networks held most of the audience. Then cable created more choices. Streaming services, YouTube, social video, and on-demand programming divided attention even further. Television did not disappear. People gained more ways to watch. Search is moving in the same direction. A prospective customer may search Google for a service, ask an AI assistant to explain the differences between providers, watch a video to see how something works, and read reviews before visiting a company’s website. The challenge is not that Google has stopped working. It is that businesses can no longer assume every customer will begin there. Does My Business Still Need SEO? Yes, your business absolutely needs SEO as it remains the foundation of being discovered online. Google continues to drive valuable, high-intent traffic for businesses. A strong website also gives AI tools, maps, social platforms, and prospective customers a reliable place to learn who you are and what you offer. Your website needs clear service pages, useful location information, simple navigation, relevant internal links, and a sound technical structure. Search engines must be able to crawl, index, and understand your pages. Traditional SEO is not being replaced. It is supporting a larger discovery ecosystem. Think of your website as your company’s home base. Social media, maps, reviews, search engines, and AI tools may help customers find you, but your website is where you control the complete story. 
Kingsley Working

What I Learned as a Marketing Intern at BlinkJar Media

By Kingsley Lavender • July 20, 2026
Kingsley Lavender shares what he learned as a marketing intern at BlinkJar Media, including SEO, website updates, content marketing, and real-world agency experience.

Why Personal Connections Matter More Than Ever in an AI-Driven Marketing World?

By Caroline Thaxton • July 10, 2026
Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses approach content marketing , social media marketing , and digital communications. AI can generate ideas, streamline workflows, and help marketers create content faster than ever before. At Blinkjar, we embrace AI as a powerful tool, but we also know the most impactful marketing still begins with something technology can't replicate: a genuine human connection. As a Creative Content Specialist at Blinkjar , some of my most valuable work happens away from my desk. Meeting with clients, visiting their businesses, and building real relationships gives me a deeper understanding of who they are and what makes their brands unique. Those face-to-face interactions help me create authentic content that reflects each client's personality , values, and story. Can AI Really Tell Your Brand's Story? Every business has a story worth telling . While AI can help organize information, brainstorm ideas, and improve efficiency, it can't experience a company's culture, observe customer interactions, or hear the passion behind why a business was started. That’s why every interaction matters. Whether we’re on a call, exchanging emails, meeting in person, capturing photos and videos, or simply talking through new ideas, each touchpoint helps us better understand the businesses we support. These conversations allow us to see how a brand operates, hear the stories behind the work, and uncover the details that make it unique. Those real insights often become the foundation for stronger content because they reveal perspectives that AI simply can’t generate. How Do Client Conversations Lead to Better Content Marketing? The more time I spend with the businesses we support, the better I can represent their brand. Photoshoots are one way those connections happen, but many of my strongest content ideas come from everyday conversations, planning calls, emails, meetings, and moments when a client shares something we would not have known otherwise. Those small details often become the difference between content that feels generic and content that feels true to the brand. Whether we're discussing a new project, talking through their day-to-day operations, or simply catching up, those conversations give me the context I need to write content that's accurate, authentic, and true to their voice. Instead of relying on assumptions, I can pull directly from their experiences, expertise, and personality . That's what transforms content from informative to meaningful.