Global Licensed Image Library Cinematic, innovation/technology environmental photography for a global banking brand

We are expanding a global banking brand’s existing image library with fresh, cinematic photography that captures authentic, observational moments within industrial, technological, and innovation-led environments around the world.

Imagery should feel modern, aspirational, and premium, resonating with a business and affluent audience. 

All photographs must be real, documentary-led captures that feel lived in and situational rather than staged or stock-like. Photographers will be licensing existing images from their archives that closely align with the criteria below.

Creative Direction

Industrial, Innovation & Technology Context
Imagery should be set within environments such as: 

• Warehouses

• Manufacturing sites

• Trade spaces (high end rather than market stalls)

• Innovation hubs

• Technology facilities

• Digital workspaces

• Future-facing setups such as robotics and advanced machinery

These must be genuine locations and real scenarios (no AI, CGI, or generated imagery). 

The atmosphere should feel forward-looking, progressive, and cinematic, reflecting modern industry and innovation on a global scale. Locations in major global cities and international settings are strongly preferred.

Authentic & Human
While the environments are central, any people featured should be integrated naturally within them.

• Subjects must not be close-up, staged, or posed

• Moments should feel observational, situational, and lived in

• Avoid stock-style compositions

• Human presence should add scale, purpose, and narrative to the space

• Focus on 1–2 people rather than crowds

• Genuine interaction with the environment is key

Cinematic Look & Feel
Photography should draw from a cinematic, film-inspired visual language.

• Strong sense of depth and atmosphere

• Selective focus, bokeh, and dimensional lighting

• Soft, film-like grading (avoid overly vibrant or high-contrast looks)

• Darker, emotive colour palettes with controlled highlights

• Cinematic details such as practical lights, reflections, flares, or industrial glow are a plus
  
  

Composition & Framing

Premium Simplicity
Each image should have a clear centre of focus with thoughtful, intentional composition. The main detail or focal point must sit centrally in the frame and translate well to a super-landscape crop.

Landscape & Brand Placement

• All imagery will be used in large-scale landscape formats

• Images must allow negative space on the left and right for brand messaging

• Please shoot in landscape to avoid heavy cropping and protect resolution

Composition should remain strong when cropped to super-landscape

Immersive Perspectives (Nice to Have)

• Observational viewpoints: through doorways, windows, reflections, or architectural frames

• A sense of being present in the environment without intrusion

Visual Language

Angles & Geometry
Incorporate subtle or strong geometric elements (22° / 45° angles where appropriate), using architecture, machinery, spatial layout, subject placement, or light and shadow to reference the brand’s visual identity.

Authenticity Standards

• Real photography only – no AI, CGI, composites, or mixed media

• Minimal retouching

Documentary-led, candid, and in-the-moment

Media Usage

• All Print (including OOH/DOOH), Digital, Social, Online

• Global usage, 5 years

Territory

• Global – submissions encouraged from all regions, with preference for major global cities and international industrial or technology centres

Budget : £400 GBP per image

Technical Specifications (Please Confirm)

• Imagery must be the highest quality possible, ideally approx. 300 PPI

• Images must retain strong resolution when scaled up to 4–5 metres wide

• File dimensions must support large-format usage without loss of quality

• Super-landscape cropping must be possible with the focal point remaining central

• Please shoot landscape to avoid excessive cropping, which risks compromising resolution