![[Updated] The Fascinating World of Stock Pictures & Meme Lore](https://thmb.techidaily.com/c71f8b11a9475a90b96c899fdeade9228f855c7ed46c02973b8fefdc10e6507c.jpg)
[Updated] The Fascinating World of Stock Pictures & Meme Lore
![](/images/site-logo.png)
The Fascinating World of Stock Pictures & Meme Lore
A stock photo meme is an image or video you use to communicate a specific idea. For example, you can use a screaming goat to emphasize your shock at an event. Typically, memes feature a stock image or video with a caption relating to the message. In addition, they are most effective on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. However, some stock image memes breakthrough into mainstream media and feature on billboards or television commercials.
So, what are the most popular stock photo memes, and how did they reach this status? Keep reading to find out more.
Part1: Hide the Pain Harold
Since 2011, Hide the Pain Harold continues to rank as one of the world’s most popular stock photo memes. Here are some numbers to show you how popular the meme is.
- It also features on stock image sites such as Imgur, where user “someshitbag” has a gallery post titled Hide-the-pain-Harold. In addition, the page received over 880 thousand views during the first three weeks. Furthermore, it won Imgur’s meme of the decade title in 2020 by receiving 10,954 votes (about 20%) of the 54,768 votes cast by Imgurians.
- The meme appears on social media platforms such as Facebook, 4Chan, and Reddit. For example, a Facebook page titled Maurice has had over 10,000 likes since its creation in January 2014.
- A text-to-speech YouTube video on the meme has over 492,000 views since going live in September 2015.
- The stock photo meme guy conducted a TEDx talk in his native Ukraine in September 2018. During the talk, Mr. Andras Arato, a 73-year-old retired electrical engineer, speaks on his fame as a meme-personality and his profession. Currently, the video has nearly 7.87 million views on TEDx’s official YouTube channel.
- Finally, you can view all Hide the Pain Harold memes from its dedicated website.
According to Andras, Hide the Pain Harold results from his vacation in Turkey. A professional photographer contacted him to do stock image modeling. During the shoot, the photographer kept telling him to smile, resulting in some photos of Andras appearing to force a smile. This expression led to netizens using his image to express situations where the forced smile is masking your true feelings.
Currently, Hide the Pain Harold has over 300,000 followers across all platforms. In addition, Hide the pain Harold has an official Facebook and Know Your Meme page that features the most popular versions of the stock image meme.
Part2: Distracted Boyfriend
Another popular stock image meme is Distracted Boyfriend. It features the stock photo meme guy looking at another woman’s backside while walking with his girlfriend. In addition, the models’ facial expressions add to the photo’s impact. For example, the girlfriend shows her disapproval by staring at the man with her mouth open.
The original photo is the work of Antonio Guillem, who uploaded it on iStock in November 2015. Initially, the photo was labeled as a lisloyal man with his girlfriend looking at another girl and required purchasing the proper license to use it.
According to Meme Documentation, the first version of the Distracted boyfriend theme dates back to January 2017. Prog Snob, a Turkish progressive rock group on Facebook, posted the meme on their page to reference Phil Collin’s distraction from progressive rock by pop music. However, it was the August 2017 Twitter version referencing the youth’s feelings towards capitalism and socialism that went viral.
Since then, the meme continues to enjoy mass popularity, including:
- It won the Best Meme of 2017 at the 10th Annual Shorty Awards. Similarly, it featured in other top memes of 2017 lists by NDTV, PC Magazine, and Reddit. In addition, The Washington Post lists it in their 2017 Meme Hall of Fame under the title, ‘the ultimate stock photo meme with endless permutations.
- The August 2017 Twitter version has over 100,000 likes and 35,000 retweets.
- The meme is popular in mainstream advertising, with companies like The New York Times using it to promote their story on the Fiat Chrysler 50/50 merger proposal to Renault and Nissan’s involvement.
- Unfins, a Swiss Webtoon contributor, created a comic series using the meme. Since posting the comic on Instagram, Unfins has had over 226,00 followers, and the post has over 1 million likes.
The latest version of Distracted boyfriend is a compilation of photos featuring the three models, with the last one showing the women hanging out.
In addition, Antonio Guillem also has a stock image meme where the roles are reversed. The meme was later posted on Reddit underneath the original and received over 25,600 points in 24 hours.
Part3: I Bet He’s Thinking About Other Women
The meme features a couple in bed with the stock photo meme guy in contemplation and the woman facing him with a concerned look. At first glance, the image shows a couple experiencing relationship problems, with the original caption showing the woman worrying that the man is thinking about other women.
However, subsequent memes feature satirical themes. Here are some of the most popular versions and their popularity.
A July 2017 Instagram post by Cathrottle gained over 13,400 likes in a month. In this version, the man wonders why there are so many Fast and the Furious movies.
- Redditor GallowBoob received 34,700 points and 350 comments within 24 hours of posting it.
The post references the Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear, with the man contemplating why Buzz is in denial of being a toy.
- The meme also appears in a 2017 tweet by @NFLRT, an NFL fan account, where the man questions when Colin Kaepernick will be signed.
According to sources, the stock photo meme was first featured on Twitter in December 2016.
Twitter user @chocos posts the image with Spanish captions, with the woman sure the man is thinking of another. However, the man wonders why there are sounds in Star Wars when the sound does not travel in space. Since then, the tweet has received over 1,700 retweets and 2,200 likes.
Part4: Bonjour Bear
Unlike the previous stock image memes, Bonjour Bear was not an instant hit among netizens. The stock image was posted online in 2016 by Uryadnikov Sergey and featured a polar bear peeking through its winter den. However, it began causing a buzz in early 2019, following a Reddit post that included hilarious captions.
Since then, internet users have continued to use the Bonjour Bear meme to reference their reactions to different scenarios. Typically, you will find the stock photo meme representing some surprise attacks. Below are some of the most popular versions of the meme:
- In this version, Bonjour Bear reacts to the discovery of a wound after using hand sanitizer. The post became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic when using hand sanitizer was at its peak.
In addition, the post received over 91,700 points, with 95% of upvotes, within a day on Reddit.
- Others use the meme as a reaction to when your relatives visit. The captions indicate your parent informing you that your uncle and aunt are visiting and they have brought presents.
- A Reddit post by Poonswoggle from April 2020 received 36,500 points within three months. In this version, the user references his struggle with sleeping because of repressed memories.
The photo is available on most stock photo websites, such as Adobe and Tumblr. Furthermore, you will find other hilarious versions of Bonjour Bear under the subreddits r/dankmemes and r/memes on Reddit.
Part5: FAQs
1. Can you use stock photos for memes?
Yes, you can use stock photos for memes. However, you need to obtain them from royalty-free stock photo providers such as Shutterstock and Pexels. In addition, ensure you understand the license requirements before using the photo.
This is because not all stock photo providers offer their images with a creative commons license. For example, the Unsplash license allows you to use their stock images for personal or commercial use after making adjustments to the original.
2. Does copyright law protect memes?
Yes, all memes are under copyright law, which means you have the authority to govern their use. Although identifying the meme owner can be challenging, posting or sharing a meme through your social media accounts without consent violates copyright law. Therefore, only use stock image memes from verified stock content providers like Shutterstock, where the license provisions are clear.
3. Can you use watermarked stock photos to create memes?
No. Before using watermarked images to create memes, you must get verifiable permission from the rights holder. This is because it violates copyright law and can result in heavy fines or even prison time in extreme circumstances.
Therefore, always perform stock image reverse searches to verify the image permissions. Alternatively, you can refer to stock photo libraries such as Adobe Stock and Unsplash for your meme creation.
Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)
Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later
Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later
Also read:
- [New] Ultimate 5 Aquatic Filter Add-Ons for GoPro
- [New] The Evolution of HD Tech - A Look at HP Envy 27
- [New] Streamlining Your Way Through YouTube's Comment Forum
- 2024 Approved The Ideal Beginning Enhancer for Your Devices
- 2024 Approved Top Digital Picks Free Alarm Ringtones Download
- In 2024, Transform Viewership Elevate Your Live Stream Game with Just a Few Supporters
- [Updated] Skip Unwanted Podcast Advice on the Spotify App
- In 2024, Taking Your Photos to New Heights Mastering iOS 11'S Features
- [Updated] The Future of Android Time-Lapses Innovations in Video Capture
- [Updated] The Blueprint for Lifelong Memories Storing Vintage Photos Digitally
- In 2024, The Beginner's Guide to Earning on Reddit Top 13 Simple Money-Making Ideas
- In 2024, The Complete Cheat Sheet Mastering Google's Voice Transcription Tool
- 2024 Approved Textual Transformations The Photographer's Guide to Image Edits
- 2024 Approved The Transformative Power of Augmented Vision
- [New] Unveiling the Wonders Mastering Firefox X-Pie Mode
- 2024 Approved Top Clicker Article Titles Maker
- [Updated] Unveiled Top 6 Tools to Purify Signature Images Online
- The Gradual Sound Escalation Audition’s Guide to Fades for 2024
- The Future of Quick Text Conversion From SRT for 2024
- 2024 Approved Trending Decor Ideas for Livestreaming
- [New] Scripting a Captivating Cinematic Sketchpad
- [Updated] TOP 10 Secure Business Data Sphere
- Unveiling the Ultimate #8 Ranked Apps Mobile Video Tile Masters (Free/Paid) for 2024
- [Updated] Transform Video Editing with KineMaster Know-How & Premier Online Counterparts
- [New] The Ultimate Guide to Free, Stunning Photographs
- [New] Transform Your Hauls Into Visual Stories
- [New] Swift Video Transformation with Top 8 Apps
- Transfer Techniques Securely Moving Data to Desktop for 2024
- In 2024, Top 8 Innovative Glasses for Entering Metaverse Worlds
- 2024 Approved Unmatched Streaming Excellence Top 1Enas Comparative Analysis
- [New] Turn a Flood of Fails Into Success with Precision in TikTok Editing
- [Updated] Pinnacle Enterprise Data Vaulting
- In 2024, The Ethical Path to Engaging Interviews
- In 2024, The Essentials of Combining Apple Music & Videos
- [Updated] Unveiling the Lone User Review of Future Printer World
- 2024 Approved The Digital Divide Demystifying Virtuality's Kin (MR, AR, & VR)
- 2024 Approved Unleash Creativity Ranked FREE Drawing Apps for Mac
- In 2024, Unveiling the Potential of Today's Drones for Tomorrow
- The Complete Beginner's Guide to Creating Impressive Macro Videos for 2024
- [New] The Best MP4 Players Handpicked
- In 2024, Superior Music Sync for Windows
- 2024 Approved The Art of Capturing Intimate Film Moments
- The Art of Memetic Mastery for 2024
- [New] Swirl Device Set
- 2024 Approved Unveiling the Best Practices in Cds Ripping & Burning with Win, Media
- [New] Top-Tier PSD Drop Shadows
- [New] Lifetime of Photos in the Cloud Free Space Haven & Charged Sanctuaries Await
- The Prime Selection Top-Ranked GoPro Case Models for 2024
- [New] Timeless Stop-Motion Gems in the Top 15
- Hard Resetting an Sony Xperia 10 V Device Made Easy | Dr.fone
- In 2024, How to Change your Vivo Y36 Location on Twitter | Dr.fone
- [New] In 2024, From TikTok Kitchens 15 Irresistible Culinary Challenges
- [New] Vimeo's Lifesaver for Free Video Editors for 2024
- Leading Narrative Construction Sphere for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Backup Blueprint From Your Phone to Your Snap Story
- [Updated] Effortless Video Management 25+ Free Apps Turning Instagram Content Into MP4 Files for 2024
- In 2024, Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Xbox One Image Snaps
- Fundamentals of Online Tale Creation Methods for 2024
- In 2024, Experience the Future of Action Videos SJ7's Star 4K Review
- [New] 2024 Approved Noise Control for Filmmakers - Basic, Pro Methods & Pricing
- 2024 Approved Ideas to Find The Best Instrumental Background Music for Videos
- [Updated] 2024 Approved The Pros & Cons of Using Vidma as a Screen Grabber
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Channeling Tweets to Facebook Viewers Efficiently
- IPhone Lens Mastery Essential Photography Hacks for 2024
- [Updated] Full-Length Guide to Transforming GIF Images Into Fun Stickers on Popular Messengers
- 8 Best Apps for Screen Mirroring Motorola Edge 40 PC | Dr.fone
- Mastering Zoom Email Integration Tips for Efficient Meetings
- [Updated] In 2024, Pro-Level Snap Tech Free From Any Delaying Hiccups
- [New] Prime Voice Capture Apps for Mac Users Feature Spotlight for 2024
- [New] Prime Low-Cost Recording Software Tops
- Complete Tutorial to Use GPS Joystick to Fake GPS Location On Vivo Y55s 5G (2023) | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Astrological Flair in Digital Self-Portrayals on WhatsApp
- New Ultimate Library of Low-Volume Tunes for Calm Settings for 2024
- In 2024, Disabling iPhone 15 Plus Parental Restrictions With/Without Password
- In 2024, Deciphering and Dodging TikTok's Hidden Rules
- Updated The Complete Audacity Playbook for Creating Top-Tier Podcasts
- In 2024, Top WhatsApp Status Generator Tools and Apps
- Top Chrome Add-Ons Boosted Vimeo Video Downloads for 2024
- Quick Guide to Starting an Instagram Live Show for 2024
- [New] Stepwise Protocols for Capturing Superior Vimeo Content
- Mastering the Integration of B-Roll Footage for 2024
- 2024 Approved Proven Strategies for Elevating Your Aspects in ASMR Production
- In 2024, Quick Answer Why Did Filmora AI Portrait Attract People?
- Which Pokémon can Evolve with a Moon Stone For Motorola Defy 2? | Dr.fone
- [New] How to Create and Change an IGTV Cover Photo (Thumbnail)?
- Sneak Peek to Secrecy How to Create Hidden Stories
- In 2024, Unpacking the Power of Engaging Titles for YouTube Shorts
- In 2024, How to Bypass Activation Lock from Apple iPhone 12 Pro or iPad?
- LensLimits How to Manage IG Picture Dimensions
- In 2024, How to Unlock Samsung Galaxy A25 5G Phone without PIN
- Which is the Best Fake GPS Joystick App On Honor Magic 5 Pro? | Dr.fone
- [Updated] Strategic Insights Into Making Emotional Connection with Customer Success Videos
- In 2024, Harnessing the Power Camera Techniques in iOS 11
- New Top Hand Drawing Whiteboard Animation Tools for Creators
- [New] In 2024, Tweeting Fun IOS/Android Tips for Downloading GIFs
- New Essential Audiophile Gear Top 9 Tools to Boost Your Podcast and Broadcast Clarity for 2024
- In 2024, Delete Gmail Account With/Without Password On Xiaomi Redmi A2
- Title: [Updated] The Fascinating World of Stock Pictures & Meme Lore
- Author: Christopher
- Created at : 2024-06-03 17:28:19
- Updated at : 2024-06-04 17:28:19
- Link: https://some-approaches.techidaily.com/updated-the-fascinating-world-of-stock-pictures-and-meme-lore/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.