In a world where first impressions are everything, your website is your digital storefront. And just like with any physical business, first-time visitors will make snap judgments about your company based on its appearance – which is why original photography is so important.
High-quality, original photos give potential customers a reason to stick around and learn more about what you have to offer, instead of moving on to the next site in search results. Here’s how custom photography can help set your business website apart from the competition.
The importance of photography in web design
A picture is worth a thousand words – and that’s especially true when it comes to web design. The right photo can communicate so much about your brand, from your style and aesthetic to your values and mission.
And since most website visitors will make a split-second decision about whether or not they’re going to stay on your site, it’s important to make a good impression right from the start.
The benefits of using original photography on your website
Photos can help you tell your business story and connect with customers on an emotional level.
High-quality photos are also a sign of a well-designed and professional website. If your site is full of low-quality, stock images or no images at all, potential customers will likely get the impression that you don’t care about your online presence – and they’ll take their business elsewhere.
On the other hand, a website that features beautiful, original photography tells visitors that you’re invested in your online presence and that you’re serious about your business.
It shows that you’re willing to invest in high-quality visuals, which can inspire confidence.
While generic stock photos might be okay in some cases, they often feel impersonal and lack the ability to truly capture the essence of your brand.
And since first-time visitors to your website are trying to get a feel for who you are and what you’re all about, using original photography is a great way to give them a taste of your brand personality.
Plus, original photos give you the opportunity to show off your products or services in the best light possible. If you’re a restaurant, for example, a good commercial photographer can take photos of your food to make it look delicious, and also capture the ambiance of your restaurant to convey a great time that your customers could expect.
Tips for creating an effective photoshoot for your business website
Photos should be well-composed and properly lit for the best results.
You don’t necessarily need to hire a professional photographer, but it’s important to make sure that your photos are high-quality and capture the essence of your brand.
Think about what kind of message you want to convey with your photos, and plan your photoshoot accordingly.
If your business sells small products and you’re not in a position to outsource the photography consider Flat Lay.
Flat Lay photography is very fashionable and lends itself extremely well to website layouts. This is particularly true for food.
It’s important to try and maintain consistency throughout the photography for your website or brand. Avoid using filters on your images as they rarely look good across all image types and can often make your images look more amateurish. The exception to this, is when a specific filter offers the exact look that typifies your brand, just be careful with its application.
In addition, be sure to size your images correctly for the web. Large image files can slow down your website, so it’s important to optimize your photos for the web before you upload them.
You can also use free online tools like Canva to help you resize and crop your photos. Adding images to your website and optimising them for SEO performance is another subject entirely and demands its own dedicated article.
Local businesses that have used original photography to great effect
WA Special Projects saw an opportunity to enhance the perception of their brand after completing a large project at a multi-property development.
Many of their products were used and installed at a number of luxury beach front properties in Perth.
Rather than take images of the products themselves using their phone cameras (which most businesses do) they seized the opportunity and called on our photography and video services.
They realised that the variety of their products used at such a desirable location was too good an opportunity to pass up.
The result, was a good number of images showcasing their products at stunning residences. Video footage was also taken at the same time.
They have been able to maximise their return on investment by using the photos and video across their website, brochures, adverts and all social media platforms.
They believe that the images have helped to elevate their brand.
Stock photography should be kept to a minimum on your website
Stock photos should only be used as a last resort, as they can make your website look unprofessional and dated.
In addition, people are often able to tell when a photo is stock, which can make your business seem less trustworthy.
If you do choose to use stock photography, be sure to select high-quality photos that are relevant to your brand.
Key points
If you want your business website to make a good impression, original photography is key. High-quality photos can help you tell your company story, connect with customers on an emotional level, and show that you’re invested in your online presence. So if you’re looking for a way to set your business website apart from the competition, consider using original photography!
You should always credit the photographer whenever you use their work.