4 Types of Photos to Optimize Your Website Design

Do you ever feel like your website is full of photos that are just all too similar? You want to add some variety to your site, while still staying true to your branding design, right? We’re sharing how to keep the visual interest on your site by using a variety of images! Here are 4 types of photos you need for your website. 

The 4 Types of Photos You Need for Your Website

01 | Hero Images

The first type of photos your website needs are hero images? But you may be thinking, what are hero images? Ultimately, your hero images tell your brand story. Hero images should highlight the what, who, and why of your brand. What do you do? Who do you do it for? And why do you do it? Your hero images are meant to answer each of these questions.  

We suggest using horizontal photos to tell your audience the story behind your brand and what makes your product or service special. And, make sure you include a little white space in between those images to give your website a fresh, clean layout.

02 | Detail Shots

We’re all about the details (that’s part of our job as designers!). Detail shots are photos that are up-close and personal with your product or service and they are so important to your website. We like to use vertical or square images to show those tiny details and unique moments that your audience may not notice otherwise. Those moments and details are what make your product or service special, so make sure they’re highlighted in the photos on your website.

It’s also important that the detail shots on your website should show your brand’s products or services in context. We cannot stress this enough! For example…

• If you’re selling home decor, show some textured pillows and woven throw blanket on a cozy couch next to a coffee table complete with a lit candle and a stack of books. Your website photos should make your audience want to cozy up in a space filled with all the home goods you’re selling!

• If you’re a cafe, show a cup of your signature coffee, a popular pastry, and a vase of fresh flowers artfully set on one of your tables next to a window with sunlight streaming in... 

Okay, okay, you get the picture! The point is it’s special moments like those that make your brand stand out.

03 | Your Face

Be sure to show yourself as the face of your brand. Feature photos of yourself at work in the business. Make sure your clients know who you are, because you are the face behind your brand. Including your headshot and photos of yourself (and even your team!) at work builds connection and makes your website feel more personable and relatable.

04 | Your Customers

Lastly, show your happy customers actually enjoying your product or service. It’s a powerful way to help your audience experience exactly what your brand does. Just like it’s important to include client reviews on your site, it’s just as (if not more) beneficial to actually show photos of your happy clients. Once again, it just adds a more personal touch. When your audience sees other people enjoying your product or service, it helps them to envision themselves happily working with your brand as well!

Photos that Capture Attention, Evoke Emotion, and Share Your Brand Story

To truly optimize your website design, make sure all of your photos stay consistent with your branding design and build on your brand strategy. Add a variety of photos, yes, but make sure they all flow and follow a clear aesthetic that is a true reflection of you and your brand, as well as the client you’re trying to reach. Remember, the photos on your website are the first thing to catch your audience’s attention, so they should be visually interesting and engaging. 

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again, branding is all about making people feel something. The visuals on your website play a huge role in making people feel something about your brand.  So what feelings do you want to evoke? What photos are going to help you draw those emotions out of your audience? 

A picture is worth a thousand words, so be intentional with the photos you choose. At the end of the day, all of the photos on your website come together to elevate your website design and tell your brand story. And your brand story is one that should be shared!

Does this have anyone else ready to shoot some new content and update their website photos? Bookmark this blog post and come back to it when you're updating those site pages! 

—

For more advice on choosing your photo for your website, check out our post, Photo Tips to Elevate Your Branding and Website Design!