Beyond Stock Photos: How to Use Images to Elevate Your Website

Let’s face it: a website without photos in the web design is like a store with empty shelves. 

Walls and bubbles of text with minimal colour and not a whole lot going on. Imagine this post with no photos. Just paragraph after paragraph. Pretty boring, right?

For your business, this kind of website (unless you’re going for a real minimalist kind of vibe. Zen Habits is an excellent website as an example of this) is going to attract many customers.

Therefore, you don’t just need images – you need images that sell your business. That captures attention. That sell your products. That tells your story. That boosts your bottom line.

But here’s the dilemma: should you DIY your website’s photos or hire a pro?

Can you get away with stock photos and basic images, as well as snaps taken on your phone, or do you need to hire a professional photographer?

In this guide, I’m detailing everything you need to know, detailing the importance of images, sharing tips for choosing the right images, and helping you decide when to roll up your sleeves and when to call in the experts.

Let’s go.

The Power of Pictures: Why Your Website Needs More Than Just Words

Quite simply, a picture speaks a thousand words, and this is even more important when it comes to the world of the internet.

During the peak of in-store shopping, you used to go to the store, walk around, and be able to see and touch the products in front of you. You can’t on the internet, which means, as a business owner, you need to showcase these products in the best and most engaging way.

Give customers as much as they can to work with, and they’re far more likely to buy from you.

On top of this, photos tell your story, show off your team members, share your branding, and come together with the text and colours of your website to create the full online experience and your business as a digital entity.

So a lot of reasons, and the statistics back this up.

• Visual Appeal: Studies show that people are more likely to engage with content that includes relevant images. In fact, articles with images get 94% more views than those without!

• Brand Storytelling: Photos help create a visual narrative that reinforces your brand’s identity and values. They can showcase your products, highlight your team, or capture the essence of your company culture.

• Conversions: Eye-catching images can encourage visitors to take action. One study found that using real customer photos increased conversions by 35%.

Whether you’re selling products, offering services, or simply sharing information, images play a crucial role in making your website more engaging, memorable, and effective.

Choosing Photos for Your Website: More Than Just Eye Candy

With the understanding of image importance in mind, let’s talk about how to choose the right ones. Remember, photos aren’t just about filling space – they need to work hard for your business.

Here are some tips to get started.

• Set the mood: What emotions do you want to evoke in your visitors? Excitement? Trust? Calmness? Choose photos that reflect those feelings based on colour, mood, and style.

• Tell your brand’s story: Your images should align with your brand’s personality and values. Are you playful and energetic or sophisticated and professional? Let your photos reflect that.

• Showcase your products or services: If you’re selling something, use high-quality photos to make your offerings look their best.

• Consider using people: People connect with people, most notably their faces. Images featuring real people (customers, employees, etc.) can add a relatable touch to your site.

Hand in hand with the points above, and I can’t stress this enough, your website’s photos should contribute to a cohesive visual identity that reflects your brand’s personality. Some ideas include:

• Modern and minimalist: Clean lines, simple compositions, and a focus on negative space.

• Vibrant and eclectic: Bold colours, playful patterns, and a sense of energy.

• Rustic and natural: Earthy tones, natural textures, and a focus on authenticity.

The right style will depend on your brand and your target audience. Think about the overall feeling you want to convey and choose photos that support that message.

When DIY is the Way to Go: Capturing Your Own Photos

Okay, so there are two main ways to get photos for your website: you can take them yourself, or you can hire a professional.

I will say you can use stock photos from websites like Unsplash, Adobe, Shutterstock, and so on, but this isn’t ideal. 

In addition to these photos being used everywhere across the internet on various blogs, websites, and platforms (so they’re not original at all), they don’t actually represent your business.

If you’re running a cafe, a local attraction, or selling your own products, you need photos of those products or specific aspects of your business. It’s what makes you, you, so you’ll need to think about how you can create these original images.

So, one way to do that is to take your own.

Taking this route is a great way to get creative and experiment with how you will present your brand. It also adds a unique touch to your website, and you can get started with just your smartphone since the cameras seem to be more than capable these days.

How to Plan Your DIY Photoshoot

Before you start snapping away, take some time to plan your photoshoot.

• Location, location, location: Choose a setting that complements your brand and the message you want to convey.

• Lighting is key: Natural light is often the most flattering, but if you’re shooting indoors, make sure you have adequate lighting.

• Gear up: You don’t need the fanciest camera, but a decent smartphone or a DSLR will give you better results.

• Consider a tripod: This will help you avoid blurry photos and capture sharper images.

Remember, preparation is key to a successful photoshoot. A little planning can go a long way in ensuring you get the shots you need.

How to Optimize Your Images & Get Them Web-Ready

Once you’ve captured your photos, it’s time to optimize them for the web.

• Choose the right file format: JPEGs are generally best for photos, while PNGs are better for graphics with transparent backgrounds.

• Compress your images: Large image files can slow down your website. Use tools like TinyPNG or Compressor.io to reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality.

• Add descriptive alt text: This not only helps visually impaired users understand your images but also improves your SEO.

Optimizing your images ensures they load quickly and look their best on your website, enhancing both user experience and search engine rankings.

What DIY Photography Tools Do You Need?

You don’t need a professional studio to take great photos. Here are a few essential tools for DIY photography:

• Camera or smartphone: A decent camera or a newer smartphone with a good camera will suffice.

• Tripod: This helps stabilize your camera and capture sharper images.

• Photo editing software: Tools like Adobe Lightroom or Canva can help you enhance your photos and make them look their best.

• Natural light: If possible, shoot outdoors or near a window for the most flattering light.

With the right tools and a bit of practice, you can capture stunning photos that elevate your website’s visual appeal.

When to Call in the Pros: The Benefits of Hiring a Photographer

While DIY photography can be a great option, there are times when hiring a professional photographer is the best way to go.

Honestly, this is going to be most of the time, and I don’t just say that because this is a photography-focused website, but using DIY photos can actually do more harm than good.

Firstly, you may not have the time, skills, and resources to take your own photos.

You’re running a business. You have orders to put out, a store to run, and customers to deal with. Do you really have the time and energy to run a full photoshoot where you’re capturing everything perfectly, editing to a high standard, and then getting them onto your website in the correct formats?

If you have very little experience taking photos beyond pointing your phone at something, do you know about lighting, perspective, framing, and composition? The kind of knowledge that’s actually going to let your photos, and therefore your business, pop?

And that leads us to the second point – quality.

Photographers photograph for their career, and a big part of what you pay for is the gear they use. High-quality digital camera, backgrounds, and lightning rigs, and that’s not to mention the years of experience they bring to the table.

All coming together to help you get high-quality, business-ready photos in one packaged session. All edited, compressed, optimized, and ready to go.

Benefits of Professional Photos

• Unmatched quality: Professional photographers have the skills, equipment, and experience to capture stunning images to make your website stand out.

• Fresh perspective: A professional can bring a new eye to your brand and capture images that you might not have thought of.

• Consistency: A professional can ensure your photos have a cohesive look and feel, reinforcing your brand identity.

• Time-saving: Let’s face it, taking great photos takes time and effort. Hiring a pro frees you up to focus on other aspects of your business.

High-quality photos can elevate your brand’s image, build trust with potential customers, and ultimately lead to more conversions.

It’s like using a professional web design company to build your website.

Sure, you can build it yourself, learn the process, figure out SEO, find a reliable and affordable hosting partner, do all the designs, themes, coding, and so on, but it’s so much easier and delivers a better result if you outsource to the experts who win when you do.

How to Find the Right Photographer

Choosing the right photographer is crucial. Here are some tips to find the perfect match for your business:

• Do your research: Look for photographers who specialize in your industry or style.

• Review portfolios: Check out their previous work to see if their style aligns with your vision.

• Communicate your needs: Be clear about what you’re looking for, including the types of photos you need and your budget.

• Ask for referrals: Talk to other business owners or your web design company for recommendations.

Remember, a good photographer will not only capture beautiful images but also understand your brand and help you tell your story visually. Chat with your preferred choice to make sure you’re on the same page and you have style ideas that resonate.

How to Budget for Professional Images

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Professional photography is expensive, and the chances are you’d rather pay yourself the money or put it back into your business, especially when you’re starting out, right? 

Well, sure, professional photography can be an investment, but it’s important to consider the long-term value it can bring to your business.

• Factor it into your marketing budget: Allocate a portion of your marketing budget to photography.

• Be transparent about your budget: Most photographers will work with you to find a solution that fits your needs.

• Consider the return on investment: High-quality photos can lead to increased engagement, conversions, and brand recognition, making them a valuable investment in your business’s success.

If you’re just starting out and you’re playing with ideas, sure, do the photography yourself and get things rolling. However, if you’re making money and want to promote yourself, your business, and your offering in a more professional and engaging way, you can’t beat a professional photographer.

Put it this way, the average individual headshot or branding photoshoot costs between $1200 – $2500 That’s for an entire shoot. A commercial photoshoot can be $5000-$10,000 but can reach upwards of $100,000 for national campaigns with major brands.

Seems like a lot, but if you want to buy all the equipment, take some courses on how to use it all and how to take photos, and then add up how much your time is worth since this will be time not spent running your business, you’re going to spend that much if not more anyway.

Wrapping It Up

Photos are more than just pixels on a screen. They’re the visual heartbeat of your website, capable of capturing attention, conveying emotions, and driving conversions.

Whether you choose to DIY or hire a pro, remember that quality and intentionality are key. Your photos should reflect your brand’s personality, resonate with your audience, and seamlessly integrate with your overall web design.

Pro Tip: If you want to ensure your website photos make a lasting impression, consider partnering with a professional photographer and a skilled web design team. They’ll bring expertise and creativity to the table, helping you craft a visually stunning online presence that truly sets your business apart.

Remember, your website is your digital storefront. Make sure it’s filled with images that tell your story and leave a lasting impression on your visitors.