Building Your Brand: Stock vs. Branded Photos

When it comes to your brand, your image is everything. It’s the first thing your audience will see when they research you. It’s what will stick in their minds after they’ve moved on.

The question you should be asking yourself is this:

How do you want to represent your brand or your business?

There are two ways to go about setting up the brand images. You can use stock photos or you can use branded images. But what’s the difference?

STOCK PHOTOS

Many businesses and brands starting out turn to stock photos because it’s an inexpensive or free way to start turning out content and building a following or a presence. And this can work for some brands, but it’s difficult when others are using the same exact images with their content. Finding stock photos that have never been used before is like finding a needle in a haystack.

The other downside to using this type of imagery for your brand is that oftentimes there is no sense of personality or relatability. These images may not fully encapsulate who you are and what you stand for as a brand or a business.

BRANDED PHOTOS

If you’re trying to create a stronger brand identity, the use of branded photos will serve you better. Not only are they more personal and authentic, they capture YOU. Whether that’s you as a business owner, an influencer, your brand ambassador, or another aspect of your business, they’re YOUR images.

When you’re in control of your images, you can plan and create a strategy to best help you portray something specific. By using branded images, you’re adding another level of credibility and you’re giving your audience an inside look to who and what you’re all about.

Don’t leave your brand or business presence to chance. Set yourself up for success and create a brand filled with appropriate images and let your audience get to know the REAL you.