Using Stock Photography vs Paying for a Photo Shoot
Examine the tradeoffs between utilizing stock photography and investing in professional photo shoots for website imagery.
Stock photos or a commissioned shoot? Here's how we think about the trade-offs when planning imagery for a site.
Speed
Stock is fast. You can pick images in an afternoon from wherever. Commissioning a photographer means finding one whose style fits, waiting for them to be free (often weeks, sometimes months), running the shoot, and waiting on edits.
Cost
Plenty of free stock sites produce professional-looking results. Premium libraries can charge £100+ per image, and licence terms vary — always worth reading them.
Selection
Thousands of options at your fingertips, across hundreds of libraries. The catch: competitors can use the same shots, which undercuts the point of distinct branding.
Upside
No licensing to worry about, and the images are actually yours — your space, your people. Stock can't fake that authenticity.
Downside
Cost and lead time. A newer photographer may offer lower rates and quicker turnaround if budget is tight.
Middle ground
Commission the bits only you can produce — team photos, office shots — and fill the rest with well-chosen stock.
Bottom line
It comes down to budget, timeline, and how much the imagery needs to look like yours. A hybrid approach works for most sites.
