Captioned stock photos emerged as a cornerstone of internet humor by subverting the glossy, staged nature of commercial photography. While these images were originally intended for corporate presentations or advertisements, their unnatural poses and forced expressions became the perfect canvas for surreal and relatable commentary. From the 'Hide the Pain Harold' phenomenon to 'Women Laughing Alone with Salad,' these memes thrive on the disconnect between the image's professional polish and the chaotic, often depressing captions provided by users. Today, they are used to satirize corporate culture, modern anxiety, and the general absurdity of daily life, proving that even the most generic image can become iconic with the right text.