BigStock reached out to us about featuring their portfolio in our entries, and we had so much fun exploring, we wanted to share some of our favorite images. There are some seriously talented photographers at work in stock imagery.
There’s also a lot of gold to be mined when it comes to stock photos. Every month, we’ll share with you some great, beautiful, or downright silly things we’ve come across on BigStock. Beware of plot bunnies!
This month’s theme: New reading positions.
With the hopes that you’ll have an amazing reading year, here are some new reading positions for you to try out.
Listen, I love reading in my undies. But if you’re pressed for time, feel free to take underwear reading for spin in the kitchen. Wait for your kettle to whistle! Try to manage a few paragraphs in between bites of cereal. Or you know…flip pages while you’re chopping up an orange. Just be careful with your bare gams next to any open flames or sizzling bacon.
Photo credit: LightField Studios | BigStock
Who knew that a string of twee faerie lights could be a substitute for a reading lamp! They may not be the best alternative, but on the bright (heh) side, at least it would make for a good Instagram photo. And yes, a blanket cocoon is necessary for this position or else your elbows are going to ache.
Photo credit: Masson | BigStock
If your house is too crowded to really stretch out, we have a solution for you. Get yourself a reading boat. Water is optional. Seriously, just drag that old canoe out of the garage and plop that sucker in the yard. Whenever you’re in the boat, it’s reading time and everyone else should know you’re not to be disturbed.
Photo credit: AS Photo Project | BigStock
This one is for experienced reading position explorers only and it should not be attempted by beginners! We recommend a hardcover for this position, as it’ll help give you a better foundation. As a bonus, if you’re doing this on the beach or in a sunny area, your feet can act as an adjustable shader.
Photo credit: Thunderstock | BigStock
Strap on your best kitten heels and find the most uncomfortable chair in your house! As a warning, if you have cats or curious toddlers, don’t wear anything that will dangle. With this planking position, give your mind and body the ultimate workout as you read about grumpy dukes and strengthen your core.
Photo credit: LightField Studios | BigStock
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with my reading boat.
Anyone else thinking, “My back, ow, my back.” I can read while standing, but anything else requires pillows and a sofa or chair back.
Oh, for my 20s when either of those last two were not only doable, but likely. Yes, I was that girl in college.
First, I will note that I can read in almost any position but faerie lights are insufficient in all of them.
Now, a serious question for the Bitchery. Has anyone found a source of stock photos that includes interracial, multiracial, aka variously ethnic couples?
I have not even tried to use actual people on my covers because … of 18 novellas, three are F/F, only one of those W/W; three are M/M, none of those W/W; and the other 12 are M/F but none of them are W/W. Three related novels are all M/F but only one couple is W/W.
It has seemed expedient to simply avoid trying to represent my protagonists because I know how much I hate a cover that features people who look nothing like the character descriptions.
TYVM 🙂
I normally read at the breakfast table; the kids are either still asleep or already at work so it’s a nice quiet time to start my day with a warm cuppa and a couple of chapters. But I have been known to read in the kitchen while cooking, if it’s something that needs a lot of stirring or time in the microwave or oven. Not in my underwear though. And I am not adventurous enough to try reading while I do Tai Chi — too much waving the book around. However picnic tables at parks and campgrounds work well. I’ll lie on my back on the bench and use the table to help support one elbow.
@chacha1: Some of the bigger stock photo sites have some. But I know there’s a stock photo company that specializes in models of color. The name escapes me though. I’ll report back when I find it.
Found ’em!
Nappy
TONL
CreateHer
I’ll just stick to reading in bed.
I’ve been known to read while lying flat on my back on the tile floor, when the Psycho Devil Cat has demanded attention while lying in her preferred position against the sliding glass door. (It is best to humor the Evil One.) That’s about as close as I can get to the last two photos, which make my half-century-old bones ache just looking at them!
Yoga dude made me bust out laughing. Adjustable shader feet…
Reading boat – yes please!
thank you Amanda!