One challenge that many companies face when it comes to marketing is providing “enough” content to stay top of mind with their audience. This content involves videos, blogs, and most importantly photos. According to Venngage, in 2021, over 50% of marketers used visuals in over 91% of their content. The question many marketers find themselves asking is what type of photos should you be using, real photo or stock photos.
Real photos and stock photos can both be used to fit different needs depending on your company. Choosing what type of photos to use depends on different factors like time, money, and brand image. Understanding the reasons why you should use either type of photo will help you decide which is the right choice for your company. If you are looking to grow your company’s unique brand, then using “real photos” will be the choice for you. If you have limited time and resources the “stock photos” will work best. When you take into account all of the factors involved in choosing what type of photo to use, using “Real photos” often lend the best long-term results. A recent article on Forbes.com, “people’s ability to remember information after three days goes up from 10% in the case of text alone to 65% when the content is paired with a powerful image.”
Here we take a look at these two types of photos and the pros and cons associated with each.
Stock Photos:
Stock photos are images that are pre-existing and can be used by anyone. These images are stored in several stock photograph banks that can be searched to find an image that fits your needs. This means that any image you need will be at the tip of your fingers in little to no time. There are many images that are free or low cost within these stock photograph banks which makes this a cost-effective option. These stock photos cannot be personalized and might seem generic to your viewers. This could harm your company brand because the photos might not match your voice and tone. If your team decides to move forward with using stock photos, it can be beneficial to take the time upfront to develop a content guide to ensure that the photos selected align with your overall marketing strategy and target audience.
Real Photos:
Real photos are professional photographs taken by a hired photographer or your team. They can be customized to feature your brand’s products or services in a way that enhances your brand’s image online. This customization will set your brand apart from that of the competition. Using real photos builds brand recognition and trust with your audience. The downside to this approach is the additional time and money required. If you hire a photographer, they will charge a fee for taking and editing the photos and require more lead time to create the images needed. If your team takes the photos, it requires an investment of their time to ensure that quality photos are created. Similar to using stock photos, it is critical to take the time upfront to create a branding and styling guide to ensure that the end result is authentic and true to your brand. The outlet you intend to use the photos should also be kept in mind as you build out your strategy. Do you plan to use the images on social media, email, or print ads? Test out a variety of images and see what performs best in each area. This will help you tailor your strategy and drive engagement with each image you create.
There is no right or wrong answer to “Stock Photos VS Real Photos” because both have benefits. The key is to evaluate your company’s brand and develop an online content strategy that will differentiate you from the competition. Many companies use stock photos very effectively. While stock photos save you time and money, they can reduce the viewers brand recognition and authenticity that can be created by using real photos. Putting in the extra effort to create images that are unique to your company and highlight your products will drive your brand recognition and increase your audience’s awareness for your products and services.
If you’d like help evaluating what is right for you, our team is available to come alongside you to create a strategy that will be most effective for your company.
