How to Move Beyond Generic Stock Photos

Sometimes your brand is bigger. And your business needs more.

If your website or marketing materials are still using generic stock photos, you’re not alone. Many small business owners want to replace them—but aren’t sure how. The answer may be easier than you think: add models to your personal brand session.

Let’s explore incorporating real people into your shoot. Extras that fit your brand vibe and bring you that extra boost of variety in your library of photos!

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Why Models Can Transform Your Brand Photos

When we plan your brand shoot, the focus is typically on you—your personality, your brand essence, your service. And that’s important. But sometimes your story becomes even more powerful when it includes other people.

By bringing in the right models, (and willing friends and family members work too!) we can create a library of images that feel authentic, relatable, and completely unique to your brand.

One of my favorite uses for these photos is on the “services” section of a webpage. I always ensure I can represent each facet of your business visually, so you don’t need to seek out stock photos for that section.

The larger variety of photos also means you get more bang for your buck and will be able to continue using them on social media and marketing materials. Because you can only post so many photos of your own face on Linked In! 🙂

How It Works

Over the years, I’ve built strong relationships with people in our community who are comfortable in front of the camera and ready to help bring your vision to life.

If you’re interested in adding people to your shoot day, we discuss that when we are planning your shoot, and I handle the coordination from there. I’ll secure models and it gets passed to you as an “Add-on” model fee.

I give our models direction on when to arrive and what to wear. Typically, any extra people are incorporated into the final 45 minutes of your 2-hour brand photography session. This gives us plenty of time to work alone together first, to capture you as the business owner in different “sets”.

That way, no stress is added to your plate so you can just focus on showing up and shining your light on shoot day!

Capture the Action

Having extra people incorporated into your brand shoot can serve a lot of purposes. For example:

• A room full of attentive “attendees” while you give a presentation.
• Sweet, photogenic kids for a nanny placement company’s website.
• Clients interacting with you in your salon.

These are real people, carefully chosen to reflect your brand’s personality and purpose, and share what it’s really like to work with you.

Bonus: Adding models also helps bring age, race and gender diversity to your website and marketing. This not only helps you hone in on your ideal client, but gives you a more well-rounded brand.

Want More Options?

Check out this reel where I lay out four “Add-ons” my clients can take advantage of when they book a brand photography session with me.

When we make your marketing look as true-to-life as your business is, that visual edge allows you to stand out in your industry.

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Building Your Brand?

Grab my freebie HERE which gives you the building blocks of defining your cohesive brand. Hint: It begins with learning your 3 brand essence words.