6 Kinds Of Professional Images to Give to Your Website Designer
Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you :)
If you are planning to DIY or outsource your business website, it’s likely that you’re going to need a variety of photos in order to make the best possible impression on your visitors.
And, as a Squarespace and Showit website designer, I know ALL the ins and outs of what is important to feature on your website so your photos give visitors heart eyes!
Today, I’m compiling all the info I have on professional photos into ONE blog post so you can use photography to take your business website to the next level.
Why professional photos matter
First, you may be wondering why it’s necessary to have professional photos at all! (iPhones work just as well, right?!)
WRONG! Professional photos are important because they contribute to your professional aesthetic overall.
People take you more seriously when they see professional photos on your website, and photos of high quality can also help bring other aspects of your website together.
Blurry/crappy photos (or even just low-quality images taken on a phone) do the opposite, which defeats the purpose of your website as a whole - and can deter guests on your website from becoming clients!
A quick note: If you are rebranding your website, it can be helpful to know the colors/general feel of your rebrand BEFORE you have your new website photoshoot. This way, the colors (of your outfits, backgrounds, etc…) AND aesthetic can align with your new brand and tie the website together!
My incredible client Elise Danielle is a perfect example of this!
1. Headshots
It’s super important to include professional headshots on your website so people have access to photos of you that showcase you completely *business-y* and ready to work.
These kinds of photos are great to include on any page of your website. You don’t need a whole bunch, but having a few nice photos of you from the waist up looking straight into the camera is always recommended.
You can have these photos taken in front of a plain background or in a nice decluttered space that aligns with your aesthetic (like a coworking space or coffee shop for example).
2. Photos of you doing your line of work
It’s also very important to have photos of you in your element, doing your line of work, on your website. Here are a few examples:
For a photographer, these photos could be behind the scenes shooting a wedding!
For a wellness coach, they could be you doing yoga at the beach.
For a calligrapher, they could be photos of you designing a wedding invitation.
Whatever helps visitors envision you doing your job is perfect!
In addition, don’t be afraid to include other people in your photos, such as in situations where you are having a Zoom meeting or in-person conference in a coffee shop!
Anything that showcases you working with other clients is a major plus, as it helps other clients gain trust in you and your business and take that final leap toward working with you - and positions you as a people person.
3. Photos that express your energy
It’s also important to include other photos of you that express your energy and personality, such as goofy photos and photos that are just for fun!
This allows them to see two sides of you - the serious, working side, as well as the fun-loving, humorous side! This can also help encourage them to choose your services over someone else’s.
They don’t want to work with a robot - they want to work with a human who can laugh with them, cry with them, and celebrate them.
Allow your photos to showcase that!
4. Goofy photos
First of all, goofy photos are perfect to include on your 404 page when you want to make light of a broken link or issue in your navigation.
These photos can be downright silly, allowing your audience to laugh right along with you! If your headline for your 404 page is “Oh, no! You’re in no man’s land,” you might include a picture of you looking confused or laughing.
5. Personal photos
In addition, personal photos are great for your “about” page, to allow your clients a real glimpse into your life - whether they are photos of you and your pets, you and your children, or you participating in one of your hobbies on camera!
Whatever helps you look and feel more “human” to your clients is a major plus, as it convinces them to work with YOU over the several other business websites they may find in their search.
This isn’t mandatory, but it’s nice to have.
6. Stock photos or photos that don’t include your face
Generally, you DON’T want every photo on your website to be of your face.
That can be somewhat overwhelming for visitors, and it’s nice to have variety.
Other great photo options (and alternatives to showing your face) include your desk/office space, your hands at a keyboard, you holding your coffee, or a flatlay of your notebooks/pens.
Here’s a super fun example from my client, Elise:
You can see that there’s one image with her face, and the others hide her face but are still very much on-brand for her. It’s natural that she would be checking her phone or writing in a journal.
Just make sure you communicate with your photographer about taking some images without your face. Anything that looks aesthetically pleasing and can express your personality without showing your face is fantastic!
For this reason, finding quality stock images to include on your website can be a major plus for any business owner!
These are some of my favorite stock websites to use when looking for high-quality images that will fit the overall aesthetic of my website (and yours, too!) (Please note that some of these websites are paid, while others are free.):
Ivory Mix (yes, that’s an affiliate link!)
Creative Market (yes, that’s an affiliate link!)
I hope you found this blog post helpful! Professional photos go such a long way in establishing credibility and professionalism on your website.
If you have all your photos for your website ready and just need someone to add the final touches (or do the major building of your website altogether,) look no further! I have had a career as a website designer for 3+ years now, and would LOVE to help you elevate your online presence with a website that shows off your skills in the best light.
If you’re interested, you can check out my services page below. I design websites on both Squarespace and Showit, and I know exactly how to position every business owner at their best angle in order to bring in more dream clients.
You might also love these Squarespace blog posts…