stock photosUntil now, a search on a stock photo website typically brought up photos of men and women with strained smiles in severe business suits posing next to antiquated technology like old computers and discontinued cell phones.

Marketing folks on a budget had little to no choices when looking for useful stock photo images for their messaging.

Thankfully Getty Images and Sheryl Sandberg recently partnered to create The Lean In Collection, a collection of over 2,500 images designed to make stock photos of women more empowering.

One look at the Lean In Collection and you can see fresh, interesting images of real people (men and women) in the varied roles people have today in business and in life.

The project is a result of a study commissioned by Pam Grossman, Director of Visual Trends at Getty Images. The study tracked the changes in the representation of girls and women in the media. It evolved into a presentation that she later delivered to Sandberg and the Lean In team at Facebook.

From the website: “We are proud to present the Lean In Collection, a library of images devoted to the powerful depiction of women, girls and the people who support them. Jointly curated by Getty Images and LeanIn.Org – the women’s empowerment nonprofit founded by Sheryl Sandberg – the collection features over 2,500 images of female leadership in contemporary work and life.

A portion of proceeds from the Lean In Collection will go toward the creation of Getty Images grants for images showcasing female empowerment and to supporting the mission of LeanIn.Org.”