The Benefits of Using Your Own Images in Website Design
I currently use stock imagery on the CIK Marketing Blog and I need to stop. It’s not that these images are bad or anything; it’s the exact opposite actually. These images are great. They’re so good that hundreds of other websites are using them too. I strive for originality in my writing, so what’s the deal with my artwork? Today I take a pledge, and you, dear reader, are my witness.
I will use my own images in 75% of the CIK Blog posts starting today.
Phew, that felt good. Now to explain why this is important.
Ditch Stock Photography on Your Website
There are lots of benefits associated with using stock photography in your website design. The images are of high quality, many are available to download for free (or a very small fee), and the range of topics is virtually endless. But when it comes to being original, stock photography simply won’t do. Stock photography is designed for the masses; anyone anywhere can download a stock image file and use it in their website design. Imagine how embarrassing it would be if your biggest competitor rolled out a marketing campaign using the exact same image of smiling, happy customers…. talk about a PR nightmare! If you really want to make a statement on your Chatham-Kent website (and of course you do), use your own photography. Your customers will love it and you’d be surprised at just how much fun you’ll have behind the lense.
4 Benefits of Using Your Own Images in Your Website Design
1) It’s free.
While some stock photography sites let you download images free many of them require a small fee per image. Sure, it doesn’t seem like a lot, but if you’re using a new image on every one of your blog posts it begins to add up.
2) There’s no copyright to worry about.
Copyright is confusing, there’s no denying it. Some stock photography sites require that you include a copyright statement in the caption, or as the ALT tag, or in a hyperlink back to the original source, or…. I think you get the point. When you use your own photography in your website design you don’t have to worry about infringing on someone else’s copyright. Just remember to include a disclaimer on your site notifying visitors that your images are your property and not for public use.
3) It’s personal.
You don’t have to be a professional photographer to take great pictures. One of the big benefits of using your own images on your website is that it adds character. A photograph really is worth a thousand words, even if it’s a little blurry or slightly off center. Spend some time practicing your paparazzi skills and you’ll be a pro before you know it.
4) It sparks creativity.
Unless your blog is about personal experiences, chances are good you won’t have any relevant images just lying around on your hard drive (the image I used today was shot in the Badlands of South Dakota… it doesn’t have anything to do about marketing, but it’s a great picture, and that’s what this blog is about!). This means you’re going to have to get creative with your camera. If your post is about sports, head to the diamond and snap a few pictures of the local little league team (with their permission, of course); if you’re writing about animals, ask the neighbor if you could borrow his dog for a photo shoot. It will be challenging, but well worth the effort in the long run.
Want to see more of CIK’s pictures? Follow our Flickr account. We don’t have a lot of pictures just yet, but we’ll take more, we promise!
Do you use your own photos on your blog or as part of your website design?
5 thoughts on “The Benefits of Using Your Own Images in Website Design”
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While those are all valid points, creating graphics or taking photographs requires time and money, a point I didn’t see raised in this article.
Good point – taking your own photographs can be time consuming. I wouldn’t say it’s overly expensive though. Practically all smartphones are equipped with sophisticated cameras now, so if you have a phone, you have a camera. If you start hiring models and conducting professional photo shoots, than yes, your cost will increase significantly. Luckily, there are lots of free photo editing software applications out there as well, like gimp, that can help you cut costs.
Creating your own graphics will definitely take more of a financial investment, depending on your experience and what type of software you plan to use.
I think stock photography has it’s place, unfortunately few are willing to pay for exclusive usage of stock photos and you end up with dozens of sites all having the same smiling ‘staff’ or ‘clients’…which is amusing but a major turn off for myself at least.
For my own business, I spend HOURS each week taking photos, editting and uploading to my online storefronts.
I use ‘stock photos’ (my OWN stock photos!) of products that have little or no differences between each other and re-use those as they sell but most pieces are one of a kind and get photographed as needed.
I estimate that one piece requires about an hours work just for photos. Then you have the uploading, descriptions,pricing, marketing etc.
I’m enjoying the tips, keep them coming!
~brenda
Great points. The originality one has to be key thought. If I see another stock “handshake” photograph, I’m going to scream!
I sometimes use stock photography to make my own design out of them and use them on my website. Mine was all done from a framework and it feels good to look at it knowing that I’m the only one who owns the design