Thinkstock keyword guide

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Choosing the right search terms is the key to finding the right images.

Thinkstock offers millions of images. So how do you find just the right image for your project?

Use this keyword guide, which shows just a sampling of our keywords and phrases, to discover different ways to search. You might have some idea of what you want, but can’t quite describe it. Or, you might know exactly what you want – right down to the angle of the shot.

You can refine your search by number of people (or no people), ethnicity, age range, gender and concept. To do so, just go to the Narrow your results section on the left-hand column of your search page.

No matter what you’re looking for, getting familiar with our keywords and phrases will help you find the perfect images on Thinkstock.com.

Keyword guide Tools to help you find that perfect image

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Keyword guide Tools to help you find that perfect image

Keyword: ‘bizarre’

Keyword: ‘nightlife’

Keyword: ‘tranquil’

Keyword: ‘balance’

Keyword: ‘confusion’

Keyword: ‘security’

Concepts

Find keywords related to emotions, moods and ideas

Innovation Bizarre Failure Friendship Violence RestingEmotional StressConfusion SecurityBalanceDirectionAuthorityLeisure ActivityIndividualityFreedomSupportHumorJourneyLeadershipMiserlyMysteryNightlifeRepetition Risk SafetySolitudeSuccess

CooperationHealthAbstractLuxuryMischief Tranquility Vitality On the moveTogethernessZenEnvironmentalConservationLuck

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Keyword guide Tools to help you find that perfect image

Keyword: ‘life events’

Keyword: ‘banking’

Keyword: ‘childhood’

Keyword: ‘vacations’

Keyword: ‘traditional culture’

Keyword: ‘energy’

Topics

Find keywords related to events, issues and interests.

Business TravelCapital CitiesChildbirthEco tourismLife eventsGlobal businessLifestylesRetirementTravel destinationsVacationsTraditional cultureBankingRecessionEducationFinanceSmall BusinessYouth cultureChildhoodEmployment issuesEnergy

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Keyword guide Tools to help you find that perfect image

Keyword: ‘mature adult’ Keyword: ‘asian ethnicity’ Keyword: ‘parent’

Keyword: ‘grandson’ Keyword: ‘two people’ Keyword: ‘early teens’

People

Find keywords by these sub-categories: characteristics, generations, relationships or combinations.

CharacteristicsAsian EthnicityCaucasianLatin American and Hispanic EthnicityMixed race personBrown hairOverweightGreen EyesMuscular BuildRedheadToothy smileObscured FaceReal PeopleNewlywedElementary StudentUniversity StudentNobodyThree peopleMedium group of peopleMulti-ethnic groupMachoCurly HairNerdGoth

GenerationToddlerChildEarly TeensYoung MenYoung Women

Mid AdultMature AdultSenior AdultSenior Couple

In combinationYoung CoupleTwo Generation FamilyYoung FamilyOne Mid Adult Man OnlyOnly WomenOnly Mid Adult WomenOne Mid Adult Woman OnlyOne Mature Man OnlyOnly Senior Men

RelationshipParentMotherFatherDaughterSonSiblingBrotherSisterGrandparentGrandsonFamily with One ChildOne ParentHeterosexual CoupleHomosexual Couple

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Keyword guide Tools to help you find that perfect image

Keyword: ‘late teens’ Keyword: ‘6-7 years’ Keyword: ‘mid adult’

Keyword: ‘toddler’ Keyword: ‘mixed ages’ Keyword: ‘80-plus years’

Age

Find keywords related to age ranges, milestones and stages of life.

BabyChildRetirementMixed AgesNewborn6-12 MonthsToddlerPreschool Age2-3 YearsElementary Age6-7 YearsPre-adolescent Child10-11 Years12-13 Years14-15 yearsLate teens16-17 yearsYoung adult18-19 years20-29 yearsMid adult30-39 yearsMature adult40-49 years50-59 yearsSenior adult 60-69 years80-plus years

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Keyword guide Tools to help you find that perfect image

Keyword: ‘lens flare’ Keyword: ‘aerial view’ Keyword: ‘full frame’

Keyword: ‘indoors’ Keyword: ‘rural scene Keyword: ‘x-ray image’

Image styles

Find keywords by these sub-categories related to styles, techniques and industry-standard terms.

Aerial viewBackgroundBlack and whiteCityClose-upCross-processedFull frameFull lengthHorizontalIndoorsIsolated colorLens flareLow angle viewOutdoorsRear viewRural SceneScenicsSingle objectSpiralStudio shotVanishing pointVerticalWide angle X-ray image

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Keyword guide Tools to help you find that perfect image

Keyword: ‘affectionate’ Keyword: ‘confidence’ Keyword: ‘ecstatic’

Keyword: ‘fear’ Keyword: ‘joy’ Keyword: ‘tantrum’

Human emotions

Find keywords related to feelings, attitudes and frames of mind.

AffectionateBossyConfidenceCuriousityDispleasedDistraughtEcstaticFearFuriousHappinessImpatientJoyLovingPlayfulSeriousSulkingTantrumWorried

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Combination of terms

The following examples illustrate how to combine terms to get more specific results. These are also known as Boolean operators:

Creative

Include the following creative terms in your search to find the right variation of an image:

To find images… Use

With both cats and dogsA space between words (works like AND or a comma)

With either cats or dogs OR

With cats, but not dogs. NOT

To find images… Use

Without people “Nobody”

That are easy to outline or silhouette “Cutout”

With eye contact from the model “Looking at camera”

Where landscapes are the main focus “Scenic”

That show diversity “Multi ethnic group”

Shot in a studio environment “Studio shot”

That have room for text or other images “Copy space“

That can be used behind text or other images

“Background“

Of people that don't look like models “Real people”

Tips and tricks

Here’s some advice on using keywords to refine your search.

Keyword guide Tools to help you find that perfect image