How to find the right stock photos for your website
When you think of stock photos, do you cringe as oversaturated faces with unnaturally white teeth – or perfectly framed, cliched scenes – flip through your head? You're not alone. Stock photography often gets a bad rap for being stereotypical, forced and downright cheesy.
In the world of modern website design, cheesy sticks out like a sore thumb. You want relaxed, authentic imagery that resonates with your audience – and you can't always afford to hire a photographer or just need a few extra images for your next blog post.
Thankfully, cringe-free photos are now easily accessible if you know where to look. As a website designer, I’ve sifted through dozens of stock photography sites and curated the best of the best for my Custom Squarespace Website Design clients. Today, I’m excited to share with you my current top websites for finding free modern stock photography:
Unsplash - www.unsplash.com
Pexels - www.pexels.com
Kaboom - www.kaboompics.com
Dupe - www.dupephotos.com
Life of Pix - www.lifeofpix.com
Barnimages - www.barnimages.com
These sites offer a treasure trove of modern, authentic images that will elevate your website and resonate with your audience. Yessss! Definitely click around to any that are unfamiliar to you now, so you know what you want to zero in on later.
Second-most important: how do you ensure that the stock photos you choose reflect your brand and keep a cohesive look going across all your platforms? Let’s break down how to effectively use stock photography to keep your brand strong, consistent and authentic – something that can be hard to lose sight of given alllll the great options out there.
Step 1: Define your brand aesthetic
Before diving into the vast world of stock photography, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your brand’s aesthetic. Ask yourself: What mood, colors, and themes define my brand? Are you going for a minimalist, modern look – or is your brand more vibrant and playful? Defining these elements means you should then ensure each image you choose aligns with your brand’s visual identity.
Step 2: Choose photos that match your brand personality
When selecting stock photos, it’s important to consider your brand’s personality. If your brand is friendly and approachable, opt for images that feature warm, inviting tones and people with the same expressions. For a more sophisticated or luxury brand, choose images with a polished feel. Make sure to reinforce the message and emotions you want your brand to convey.
Step 3: Stick to a color palette
One of the easiest ways to make stock photography appear consistent is by sticking to a specific color palette. (This doesn’t mean every image needs to be monochromatic, but the dominant colors in your chosen photos should complement your brand colors.) Many stock photo platforms allow you to filter images by color – go for that option!
Step 4: Pay attention to style
If your brand’s visuals typically feature clean, minimalistic layouts, avoid overly cluttered or busy stock images. Likewise, if your social media feeds often showcase close-up shots, try to maintain that style in stock photos. Don’t overlook these details if you want to create a cohesive visual experience for your audience.
Remember, it’s not just about finding beautiful images—it’s about finding the right images that tell your brand’s story. I’m passionate about helping businesses create strong, consistent brands. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your visual identity, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
