When should service professionals use stock photos?

Using stock photography was popular 10-15 years ago. When the web was new(ish) it was a cheap way to get professional looking images on your website. Now, it’s just a bad idea.

What are stock photos?

Stock photos are staged generic photos sold online for use on websites or marketing material. Licenses vary but for websites you would pay between $10-30 per photo you use. Typically they are beautiful business people smiling in suits, climbing ladders, shaking hands, walking tightropes. Cheesy stuff that doesn’t convey any message or add value to your site.

They have fallen out of favor in Australia, but are still popular across the Pacific. So you’ll find most of these shots have elements in them that just don’t quite fit right for a Sydney based business.

What’s wrong with using stock?

Stock is a poor substitute for custom photography. A cliche shot does not connect with your viewer or give your business a human touch. It makes your business cold and uninviting. In fact research shows that simply replacing a stock photo with a real one increases conversions on a page by 35-45%!

This is where Sydney corporate photographers help by learning about your business and crafting effective imagery which promotes your business. It’s an easy effortless session where you feel completely natural.

By replacing an actor with the real you in your office environment, customers gain an immediate trust in you. Firstly they know you exist. They see you are friendly and competent, they see you have a real office and aren’t operating from your kitchen. Most importantly, it shows you care.

Let them feel what it’s like to be your client

By seeing others interact with you, viewers get a feel of what it’s like to be your client. Seeing your other happy clients is a subliminal testimonial to your services. It may be that little push that is the difference between filling in the contact form and going to the next link in Google.

Valent Lau Photography provides Professional Headshot & Website Photography at our Coogee studio or your business location. It’s quick and effortless! Contact us now for a free image health check and let us help you connect with your ideal clients.