July 17, 2024
Generic stock photos can cheapen your brand's image. Especially when you're using pre-made templates with stock images already in them. Sure, those photos might fit the template, but do they truly reflect your brand and resonate with your audience? In this post, we'll explore how to ditch the stock photo cliché and find captivating visuals that connect with your customers.
Great photos go beyond aesthetics. They boost brand recognition, build customer trust, and ultimately drive sales. They also help people understand your brand's personality and the kind of audience you cater to.
Imagine a high-end restaurant promoting a family-friendly event on social media. They might use a stock photo of messy kids covered in paint to convey the "fun" aspect. But this sends a mixed message. Families might show up expecting a free-for-all paint extravaganza, which might not be the more exclusive tone the restaurant is going for. This example might seem a bit dramatized, but it highlights how misplaced stock photos can hurt your brand image. Let's dive into some solutions!
There are plenty of options for finding stock photos, both free and paid. While I always recommend reputable stock photo sites (I'll share those below!), free resources can be helpful, especially when you're starting out. Paid options typically offer higher quality images and more diverse choices, but they might not be in your budget right now.
Unsplash is the internet’s source for visuals. They have creative free stock imagery, you just need to credit the creator. And they also have a newly-released paid option that shares more diverse, high-quality images.
Pexels offers royalty-free stock photos and videos that can be used for your next creative project.
Nappy is a stock imagery library focused on diversity and inclusion.
Adobe Stock is an industry standard for stock photos, but it’s a paid subscription. It also allows you to license vector designs, illustrations, audio, and video depending on what plan you choose.
Getty Images is another industry standard, paid resource that allows you to source creative or editorial stock photos, music, or videos.
Another "free" option is using your own photos. This takes practice, but there are ways to take stunning smartphone pictures with good lighting and composition.
Clean Your Lens: A dirty lens can ruin even the best shot. Wipe it with a microfiber cloth before snapping a picture.
Hold Steady: Camera shake is the enemy of sharp photos. Hold your phone with two hands for stability. Consider using the volume buttons instead of the on-screen shutter button to minimize shake.
Mind the Light: Good lighting makes all the difference. Avoid harsh overhead light and try to shoot in natural light whenever possible. Look for even, diffused light or backlight for dramatic effects.
Rule of Thirds: Imagine dividing your screen into a tic-tac-toe grid. Place your subject at one of the intersecting points for a more balanced and visually interesting composition.
Fill the Frame: Get close to your subject to eliminate unnecessary background clutter and create a stronger impact.
Leading Lines: If possible, use natural lines in your environment, like a road or a table edge, to draw the viewer's eye into the photo.
Background Matters: Pay attention to what's behind your subject. A clean background can make your subject stand out more.
Portrait Mode: Use portrait mode for taking photos of people or objects where you want to blur the background for a professional-looking effect. Use portrait mode only for instances where it feels applicable though, and allows you to fully focus on the subject.
Simple Edits: Basic edits can enhance your photos. Use built-in editing tools on your phone or free apps to adjust brightness, contrast, or saturation. You can also use basic built-in tools or free editing software to crop unwanted parts of images, straighten tilted photos, or skew the photo a bit if it’s not fully flat. Don't overdo it though!
For more phone photography tips, I really like this article from Popular Pays on taking Product Photos for Instagram.
Lightroom is a paid app, but Lightroom is an industry standard for photographers to edit their images. If your brand is serious about creating original images, I would recommend trying it out!
VSCO can also be a really useful and free tool for establishing your brand’s photography style. It offers prefiltered options that can help create a consistent brand look, but I would always recommend toning them down a bit or adding your own edits to make it yours. Everyone will know if it’s directly out of the VSCO box.
Want more free resources? Check out The Brokepreneur's Toolkit: Resources for Design & Small Business Success!
