Photography is a great way to make contact with your target audience; People who come to your site want to see your product or service. Yes, they want to read about what you do or offer, but first they want to see an example. Why would we think giving a second-class copy is acceptable?
There are three common methods for obtaining photography for your website.
- Take the photos yourself (this usually happens with a camera with a dot and a photo)
- Stock photography (these are photos taken by professional photographers and sold to websites that then sell rights to those who purchase a copy of the image)
- Have a professional photographer film the product, location and / or people
Stock photography has improved their quality and prices over the years. You will find everything you need and get great quality images for minimal costs. However, there are several problems that make stock photography not the ideal option when selecting photography for your website. Below I have mentioned a number of disadvantages of using stock photos.
Your competitor can use the same images that you use.
You own the rights to use the image, but these rights are limited. For example, it is not allowed to use certain stock photography on Facebook. Although millions of images can be selected on image websites, it can be very difficult and time consuming to find that image if you want a specific image of a person or product. For example, it can be difficult to find a photo that connects your customers to a place in the city where you offer a product or service.
Why professional photography by a photographer is the best option
Depending on the photographer and the conditions that have been established, you may have full rights to use the images they create in any way you want. By hiring a photographer, you decide which exact types of images you want. (If you are not sure which images you need, the photographer and / or your web / print designer or company can advise you on which type of images will benefit you most.) Having photos of your employees or local people will connect the end user more than a stock photo of a model that is not connected to the company. By using people, your company's product or service appears to be more tangible and local. (Although, stock images might be the right choice if you want some anonymity.)
In summary, taking photos with a point-and-shoot camera is rarely recommended if you want high-quality photography on your website. Stock photography can work under certain circumstances, but can give a cookie-cutter effect. Hiring a professional photographer and having the best quality photography that you are willing to buy will have a powerful impact on the design of your website. Let me give you an example of how the quality of your photography affects how the end user can view your product or service.