How to Select the Perfect Stock Photos for Your Website
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Nowhere is this saying truer than on your website.
Whether you’re a yoga instructor, a marriage celebrant, a financial planner, or a not-for-profit, finding the perfect stock photos can elevate your website’s visual appeal and make a lasting impression on your visitors. But with countless options available, how do you choose the right images that reflect your brand and resonate with your audience? Fear not, I have 7 hot tips to help you select the perfect stock photos for your small business website.
Before we dive in, I want to caveat the below with this - I think it’s super important to have brand photos done for your business. Especially if YOU are your business. People want to know who they are working with - they want to see your face. But, I also know that not every business is in a place [financially] to have these done right away, so stock photos are often necessary. My best advice would be to have a mix of the two, if you can!7 Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Stock Photos for Your Website
#1. Know Your Brand and Target Audience
Before diving into the vast pool of stock photo sites, it's essential to have a clear understanding of your brand and target audience. You need to define your brand's personality and values so that you know what kind of imagery will suit your business. Is it modern and minimalist? Is it vibrant and energetic? Is it professional or relaxed?
Once you have a solid grasp of your brand, you also need to identify your target audience. Consider their demographics, preferences, and interests. This information will serve as a compass when selecting images that align with your brand identity and appeal to your target audience.
#2. Search for High-quality Images
Quality matters when it comes to stock photos. Blurry, pixelated, or poorly composed images can instantly turn off your website visitors. You want to aim for high-resolution photos that are crisp, clear, and visually appealing. Look for images that are well-lit, properly focused, and have balanced compositions.
*Remember: high-quality means hi-res, so while you want to download the hi-res version of your images, you’ll also want to compress these before you add them to your website so that they don’t slow down your site speed.#3. Authenticity is Key
In a world of staged perfection (hello Instagram 👋), authenticity stands out.
You want to choose stock photos that feel genuine and relatable to your audience. Avoid clichéd or overly staged images that lack authenticity, and instead, opt for pictures that depict real people, real emotions, and real situations. Authenticity helps your audience connect with your brand on a deeper level and builds trust.
Overly posed and cliched. It’s a no from me.
Natural and relatable. Tick and tick!#4. Tell a Story
Stock photos should do more than merely fill space on your website; they should tell a story. Look for images that have a narrative element or evoke a specific mood or emotion. Think back to your brand identity, your values, and your audience when you think about what story you want to tell them and how you want them to feel when they’re on your website. Do you want them to feel happy to energised? Do you want to tell a story of professionalism and hard work? With each image you select, consider how the photos fit into the overall storytelling of your website.
#5. Consistency is Key
Maintaining a consistent visual style throughout your website is crucial for building a cohesive brand identity. Choose stock photos that align with your brand's color scheme, typography, and overall aesthetic. Consistency in your visuals will help you to create a seamless and memorable user experience. If you're unsure about the visual direction, create a mood board or style guide to serve as a reference while selecting photos.
Below, the top 3 images don’t have the same overall aesthetic. The overall vibe changes between images, with the first and second images being soft and romantic, while the third is stark and bright. The bottom row of images use the same moody tones and soft pink colours to create consistency and a matching look and feel.
#6. Consider Diversity and Inclusivity
We live in a diverse world, and it's important to reflect that diversity in your stock photos. Strive for inclusivity by selecting images that represent your audience as a whole - this may include people from different ethnicities, ages, genders, and backgrounds. Inclusive visuals demonstrate that your brand values diversity and is welcoming to all.
#7. Don't Forget About Licensing
Lastly, [please] always respect copyright laws and ensure that you have the proper licenses for the stock photos you use. Many websites offer royalty-free or Creative Commons-licensed images, but be sure to read and understand the terms of use before using them on your website or other marketing materials. Unauthorised use of copyrighted images can lead to legal consequences, so it's essential to be diligent in sourcing your visuals. Being a small business is no excuse for using stock photos in unauthorised ways.
My Top Stock Photo Sites
I use a wide range of stock photo sites for my own photos, as well as for client websites. Some are free, some are paid for. Check them out and see if you can come up with an imagery mood board that will help you select stock photos that meet the above tips.
Unsplash [free] - beautiful, free images and photos that you can download and use for any project
Pexels [free] - free stock photos & videos you can use everywhere
Pixabay [free] - over 4 million+ high-quality stock images, videos, and music
Social Squares [paid membership] - a stock photo membership for female entrepreneurs
Haute Square* [paid membership] - my personal favourite, the membership I use for my own business. *This is an affiliate link. Should you choose to sign up, use my code “KYAHSTOCK” to get 15% off your subscription
Styled Stock House [paid membership] - a photo library for bold and creative ladies
Styled Stock Society [paid membership] - on-brand and one-of-a-kind stock photos, graphic templates, marketing materials, and more
Her Creative Studio [stock image shop] - stock images, templates, and printables
Selecting the perfect stock photos for your website requires careful consideration of your brand, target audience, and storytelling objectives. Seek high-quality, authentic, and diverse images that align with your brand's identity and values. Remember to maintain consistency and respect licensing requirements. With these tips in mind, you're well-equipped to find the ideal stock photos that will enhance the visual appeal
*That’s an affiliate link - my HOLIDAY FUND thanks you kindly!
