Professional photography is not the cheapest, and if budget is an issue for your web build, you may have free stock imagery in mind, or, even, consider taking the images yourself. But before you decide, take a moment to read our reasons below for considering the investment of hiring a professional photographer for your website images:
D-I-Y photos look like D-I-Y photos
You have around 15 seconds to make an impression on a visitor to your website. Actually, theories vary around the number of seconds, but all agree, it’s hardly any time at all. One of the reasons why people will leave your website is that it’s not visually appealing. So, you need visual impact of your offer, worthy of your visitors’ time and attention so that they are drawn to your images and want to stay on your website, checking you out.
Professionally taken images are shot with high-spec equipment by someone with talent for composing appealing-looking images. There is no comparison between the photos you could take with your phone, even if you have a bordering interest in photography, and the images taken by a professional.
Professional images will make you look just that – professional
Professional images will show that you care about your brand and your offer. Just like written content, video content, or any other type of content, it needs to be of high quality or your website will look as if you just don’t care enough. Your visitors will have no problem translating this through to the experience of dealing with you.
It might be a cliché, but a professional photographer will show you in your best light. They will be able to offer solutions and ideas of what might work best for you, and offer innovative ways to represent you and your products, or services, in unique, noticeable and interesting ways. Creative use of light, tone and composition, to enforce the values within your brand will all be taken into consideration. Your audience will appreciate your efforts.
Online shoppers rely on imagery in their decision to buy
Up to 75% of shoppers rely solely on imagery when it comes to purchasing products and services. The increase in conversion rate for visitors to your website is obvious, not to mention the increased user engagement and positive user experience you are providing to enforce your brand’s memorability.
Your audience want to see you
One reason for discounting stock imagery is that it is of someone else, not you. Your audience want to see you. Stock imagery tends to looks like stock imagery and can create distrust in your audience, because they know it isn’t you. Show the real you, and your office, your team, as well as the experience, or products, you are proposing to provide to them.
It’s no surprise that the second page a browser is most likely to click on after your homepage is your About page. This is because browsers want to connect with you. They are looking for that emotional connection, to make the experience of buying from you more satisfying. Quality images of the real, genuine you will create the emotional connection your browsers are looking for. Stock photos do not come near this level of authenticity.
Photography is content you can repurpose
Just like other forms of digital content, photography can be repurposed. Getting a good stock of professional imagery in the content bank will stand you in good stead. And not just for digital, but for print marketing campaigns and press releases, for example. Digitally, you can use your images for social media, email marketing and newsletters. They don’t wear out with one use on your website, they are yours to use and reuse.
Summing up on professional photography for your website
Consider making the investment for a reusable bank of stunning images that will make you look professional and do your brand the justice it deserves. Remember that your customers want to see you and the experience of dealing with you; they’ll connect with genuine, well-shot images of you more than poor-quality, or stock, images.
And there’s nothing like getting fresh, unique images back from a good photographer for a feel-good boost of inspiration. Investing in quality creative is always going to be beneficial for your brand journey.
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