Stock photography memes capitalize on the uncanny valley of commercial imagery—photos that are too polished, strangely specific, or emotionally disconnected from reality. While stock photos were originally intended for marketing and corporate use, the internet transformed them into comedic gold, highlighting the absurdity of tropes like 'women laughing alone with salad' or the hidden agony in 'Hide the Pain Harold’s' face. These memes are widely used to satirize corporate culture, social interactions, and the performative nature of modern life, proving that even the most generic image can become a legendary cultural touchstone when paired with the right relatable caption.