Take a look at your own website, social media accounts, and blog. How many photos do you have up, and how many of those are stock images?

Like most brands, you may be relying on stock photography to fulfil most of your imagery needs. That’s often acceptable, and it’s certainly an easier process than trying to hire a professional on an ongoing basis.

However, doing so can also severely limit your brand. When relying on stock photography, you don’t have too many options unless you’re willing to pay the licensing fees. Also, most stock photos don’t quite capture the feel you want for your website or social media posts.

Stock photography is affordable, but it’s not always good enough. If you want the best for your brand, getting professional brand photography may be the answer you are looking for.

What is brand photography?

Brand photography is the process of creating custom photos that fit your brand. The images you produce from it are integrated into your brand’s visual style. Essentially, brand photography is a lens through which you showcase your brand.

What’s the difference between stock photography and brand photography?

Stock photography is pre-existing images, typically purchased from stock photo sites like Shutterstock and iStock. The main difference between stock photography and brand photography is that stock photography has no innate connection to your brand.

Stock photography is a generic option that doesn’t have the same visual impact as brand photography. That is why it’s a good idea to use brand photography for more important brand touchpoints.

Stock photography has a role to play in brand touchpoints like social media. You can just get pre-existing images if you want to make quick graphics or generic posts. However, for more critical touch points such as your website, blog, email newsletters and other branding assets, it’s best to use images created specifically for your brand.

Why is brand photography essential?

Brand photography is essential for a few reasons. It offers a degree of authenticity, for one. By using images that actually showcase your brand, you’re creating a genuine connection between your business and the photos.

This authenticity is essential if you want to connect with your intended audience. Stock photography could potentially undermine your branding efforts by making the images look too generic. You can’t use generic photography if you want your brand to feel more authentic.

Another benefit of brand photography is its ability to create an emotional connection with your audience. If you use authentic images that showcase your brand, your audience will have a better emotional connection with the brand.

This emotional connection is the foundation of long-term brand loyalty. Your audience will connect with your brand if they’re interested in the story behind the brand. Professional photography can do that by displaying the personality of your brand.

Finally, supplying your audience with high-quality images is essential if you want them to trust your brand. Stock photography isn’t necessarily high quality. It can undermine your brand, especially if you’re trying to sell high-quality products or services. You’re attempting to sell a product, but it can be hard to do that if your brand isn’t consistently portrayed well on your website or social media.

Conclusion

Brand photography offers many benefits over stock photography. If you want to stand out from the competition, creating custom brand photography is a great way to do that. You’ll have a better connection with your audience, tell a story, and create an emotional connection with your audience. If you’re already using brand photography, you’re one step ahead of the game.

Need custom brand photography for your business? Studio Lore is a digital agency and branding design company that offers photography services in Melbourne. Our team can create custom images that help you tell a story about your brand and connect with your audience. Contact us today.