Business Photos Part 2 | Stock Photos for Your Business
This is part 2 of a 3 part series on photography in your business. Read the other parts here:
Planning your Brand Photoshoot | Presets for your Business Photos
Sometimes your schedule and budget don’t align for a full fledged photoshoot (I get it—I only do a big photoshoot periodically), but there are a ton of great options to keep your business budget in check and provide you with seasonally appropriate photos.
Enter —> stock photography.
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Now, before you cut away from this blog, let me tell you how much has changed over the last few years. Stock photography isn’t the terrible “women laughing while eating salad” kind of photos. These are high-end, artistically designed photos by photographers who have an eye for design or who bring in a stylist to get the right look on every image. And, this type of photography is often designed to artistically stand out so you can communicate your message, tell your story and genuinely connect with your audience.
Here are a few ways your gorgeous stock photos can be used:
On your Website - To tell your story
In your Newsletter - To communicate with your audience and future clients
On your social media accounts (such as Instagram and Facebook) - To connect and engage with your community
On your blog (and to provide/create engaging Pinterest graphics too) - To snag engaging content and increase your SEO ranking
In your client welcome guide - So your clients stay organized and be prepared for working with you
On your project proposals or pricing guide to create a cohesively branded look - To elevate your professionalism and pricing
For your shop courses or shop products - To communicate your message and provide context on what you’re selling and why this is beneficial to the purchaser
And, the best part, your cost/photo use and ability to mix and play with palettes makes a membership a time-saving and money-saving business investment.
My favorite stock imagery site is Stocklane (<- yup, that’s an affiliate link, and use code BROOKEOLSEN10 for an extra bonus!). Not only because Muriel shot my branding photos, but because her talent, artistry, and lighting knowledge is impeccable!
Stocklane is focused on serving entrepreneurial women who enjoy sophistication and boutique adventure styles in their work and home lives.
However, if Stocklane isn’t the right vibe for your business, here are a few others you might link:
Moyo Studio - great for web designers and graphic designers who have adobe suite + the knowledge to customize the images showcasing work they’ve designed. High end quality images focused on design friendly layering to showcase your work.
Social Squares - Bright and light, but you might not see as much variety and models as a few of the other collections. Good if you prefer colorful images and lots of props in your style.
Not sure if stock photography is right for you? Fortunately, many stock subscriptions offer image collections for purchase if you just need a few photos and aren’t ready to commit to a full membership yet. You can check out their social media accounts to see if the elements are a good fit for your palette and aesthetic, as each library has a specific client niche.
No matter your choice, stock imagery can be an excellent choice for a new and growing business, as well as content creators (like bloggers) who need a large library of high-quality imagery!
