Stock Photography & Photographers

Whether you have an existing website, or are building a new one, the visual impact your site makes is affected greatly by its photography. There are two primary forms of photography used in sites today: stock and custom. For individuals or organizations with a limited budget, stock photography is a wonderful option. Stock photos are very affordable — some are even free — and can enhance your website’s impact immensely. Take a look at sites like istockphoto.com, shutterstock.com, or corbisimages.com to browse and purchase stock photos.

If you have a larger budget or simply need something very specific, consider hiring a professional photographer. Hiring a photographer may be more expensive, but you'll have a photographic solution specifically suited to your brand and project needs. You'll also avoid a competitor potentially co-opting the same stock photos you selected for your own project. 

Unless you're an excellent photographer, either of these options is better than attempting your website's photography yourself. Even if you are — consider whether you are able to budget the time to make your website's photos great. If not, there are many options to make sure your site has strong visual impact through great photography. Make sure your imagery is strong – it’s important.