I am a huge fan of styled stock photos. In fact, I get pretty excited about Instagram feeds filled with pretty styled desk shots! Who doesn't love pretty things!
I am helping my friend Alyssa Joy launch her new range of Styled Stock Images today and thought that this would be the perfect time to take a closer look at Styled Stock Photos and how to use them!
Styled stock photographs are images that run with a particular theme or color scheme, created for bloggers and business to use to help draw in potential customers and readers. These images are offered either for free or for sale by photographers and generally display 'desk'-like surfaces with pretty flowers, computers, keyboards, magazine and stationary items and beauty products that catch the eye of your visitors. While there are masculine styled stock images, at Brand IT Girl, we love the feminine ones more!
These images can be used for a variety of ways and depending on how you crop your images, you can often use the same one several different ways.
BLOG AND WEBSITE IMAGES
BLOG AND WEBSITE BUTTONS
SOCIAL MEDIA COVER PHOTOS
INSTAGRAM IMAGES
BANNERS
Want to know where these cute stock images are from? Get them free here!
CHOOSING TO BUY
When choosing to buy your styled stock images, there are a few things you should be looking for:
- Check the quality of the image you are purchasing. Make sure that it is a high resolution and that the image dimensions are big enough for your purpose.
- Have a look at the color palette used in the image and ensure that it matches (or at least compliments) your brand colors.
- Look at the elements within the image and ensure they are compatible with your brand message. There are some images I can't use for my brand because the elements within the flat lay are contrary to my brand personality. Just take a moment to really assess if all the items in the image are on brand and avoid confusing your visitors!
- Can you edit the image with text over the top and different crops? Have a look at the policy of the store you are purchasing from and make sure the image is appropriate for the way you want to use it. Some stores will have editing restraints and you just need to be aware of it!
PLACES TO FIND STYLED STOCK IMAGES
After scene stock photography?
Check out my blog post about the best places to find those too!
With so many ways to use them, and such great places to find them, why not add some beautiful styled stock photos to your website and blog!
