Let’s talk about one of the biggest decisions you face when creating content for your business: Do you invest in professional brand photography or just download some stock photos and call it good?
Even as brand photographers, we totally get it – stock photography is easy, fast, and often inexpensive or even free. But if your goal is to build trust, connection, and credibility with your audience – all of which have the potential to translate into conversions and sales – then you might want to think twice about using stock photos.
At Elemental Brand Photography, our mission is simple: we help business owners create images that stand out, showcase their unique story, and foster genuine connections with their audience. When you work with us, you’re not just getting pictures – you’re getting a visual toolkit that helps your brand connect, convert, and stand out.
What Are Stock Photos?
Stock photos are pre-shot, generic images available online – some free, some paid. They cover everything from desk flat lays to smiling professionals shaking hands and basic unlabeled products.
They can be convenient when you’re in a pinch, but here’s the catch: they’re not about you.
Stock photos:
- Are generic and impersonal
- Don’t show your team or your products in action
- Often feel disconnected from your brand story
- Don’t build trust for your brand
In short, they lack authenticity, which is critical when you need to build trust with your audience. Using stock images may even backfire if potential clients realize the same image is being used by multiple brands in your niche.
The Problem with Stock Photos
Here’s why relying solely on stock photography can actually hurt your brand:
- They lack authenticity – Today’s consumers crave real connections. Polished but impersonal images don’t communicate who you are or why someone should trust you.
- You risk blending in – If your competitors are using the same stock images, you’re not differentiating yourself. Your brand visuals should be as unique as your story.
- They don’t tell your story – Stock photos can show an action or a setting, but they can’t showcase your products, workspace, or personality.
- They just aren’t memorable – You want – and need – your photographs to catch your audiences attention. According to Forbes, 91% of customers prefer visuals over written content and according to MDG Solutions, adding pictures will improve your viewers ability to remember your brand by over 65%. What this means is that those graphics are more likely to bring your audience back and allow you to close the deal.
The solution? Professional brand photography that’s personalized for your business.
What Is Brand Photography?
Brand photography is more than just “pretty pictures.” It’s a customized visual representation of your business, your team, and your story. A professional brand shoot includes intentional images of:
- You and your team
- Your products or services
- Your workspace, tools, and creative process
- Your personality, energy, and values
Every photo is crafted to align with your brand’s message, style, and target audience. Unlike stock images, brand photography shows your audience who you really are – and why they should choose you. The root goal of your brand photoshoot is to build trust with your audience.
So… Which One Builds More Trust?
💡 Our brains connect with faces
Research shows that humans are wired to respond to faces. When your audience sees you – or your team – they begin to feel a connection. This connection builds trust, which is a key driver of customer decisions. Think of many of the unique purchases you’ve made over the years. Have you ever visited a sales talk and felt inspired by the salesperson? Have you made a purchase because you empathize with their story? I know we have – and it’s because we created a connection with that person – if ever so quick. That’s what we want our brand photos to do for you!
💡 Authenticity over perfection
Stock photos can feel polished but are impersonal. Brand photos feel real, approachable, and human. People want to work with businesses that feel transparent and relatable, not just “professional-looking.” Having a story that your audience can resonate with or empathize with will build trust and in return that trust will create stronger connections that will have your clients coming back to you time and time again.
💡 Custom photos tell your story
Your brand is unique. Every product, service, and interaction tells a story – your story. Stock images can never replicate this. When you use professional brand photography, every image communicates the traits that set you apart. From your branding, to your aesthetics, everything in the brand photoshoot is focused around your brand, it’s story, and the values that set it apart.
Why Professional Brand Photography Adds Value
Let’s break down the measurable ways custom imagery adds value to your business:
- Increased memorability – According to Amra & Elma, 71% of audiences can recall the brand featured in branded content without being prompted, emphasizing the impact of authentic representation in marketing
- Higher engagement – Authentic visuals are proven to improve click-through rates and engagement across social media and email campaigns.
- Boosted conversion rates – According to Yotpo, adding user generated content such as custom brand photography to your website can increase website conversions by up to 161%
- Professional Brand Photos build Trust – According to Influencer Marketing Hub, 81% of customers need to trust the brand before buying from them, and 86% of consumers believe that authenticity is important to support a brand. And what do professional brand photos do? They share your brand’s authenticity!
- Reinforcing the Purchase Decision – According to Image Retouching Lab, 75% of online shoppers rely on product photos when making a purchase decision, underlining the power of high-quality brand images
This isn’t just theory – it’s proof that investing in professional imagery pays off.
When Is Stock Photography Okay?
We’re not saying stock photos are evil – they have their place. They can be useful for:
- Background elements in design
- Blog headers (if custom imagery isn’t necessary)
- Supplementing content when you’re in a pinch
But stock photos should support your brand, not replace it. Your audience deserves to see the real people, products, and story behind your business.
Brand Photography = Long-Term ROI
A professional brand shoot is an investment in your business’s longevity.
When you work with Elemental Brand Photography, you receive:
- A library of versatile, on-brand images to use across your marketing channels
- Content ready for your website, social media, email campaigns, press features, launches, and sales pages
- A customizable photoshoot that focuses on specifically what you need for your brand – whether it be behind the scenes photos showing you in action, images of your products, or preparation for the holiday season – we’re ready to provide you with the photoshoot that is 100% what you need
- A streamlined process that saves time and reduces stress, so you can focus on running your business
No more scrambling for images at the last minute. Instead, scroll through your personalized gallery and find exactly what you need.
How Elemental Brand Photography Helps
At Elemental Brand Photography, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs, creatives, and small businesses:
- Capture their unique personality, values, and story in every image
- Build trust and credibility with professional, authentic visuals
- Create consistent and versatile content for multiple marketing channels
Our process is designed to make you feel comfortable, confident, and prepared, from consultation to final image delivery. We guide you through:
- Pre-shoot planning – Understanding your brand, goals, and audience
- Creative direction – Crafting a visual story that feels authentic to you
- The photoshoot – Making it a fun, collaborative, and stress-free experience
- Post-production – Delivering polished, ready-to-use images that reflect your brand
Investing in professional brand photography isn’t just about images – it’s about showing up consistently, authentically, and memorably.
Your Story Deserves to Be Seen
Every business has a story. Every product, team member, and workspace has personality. When your visuals tell that story, your audience connects with you on a deeper level – and you can naturally and organically build trust.
At Elemental Brand Photography, we help businesses like yours step away from generic stock photos and step into images that truly represent them.
If you’re ready to stop blending in and start standing out:
Book your brand photography consultation with us today and start showing up as the face – and heart – of your brand.