Why Real Photos Build More Trust Than Stock Images (Yes, Even the Awkward Ones)

Let’s be honest... We can all spot a stock photo from a mile away!

Perfect lighting. Perfect smiles. Perfectly pressed button-down shirts.No one blinking. No one spilling coffee. No one looking like a real human.

And while stock photos have their place, they rarely build trust. Real photos do.

Especially for small businesses.

People Don’t Trust “Perfect.” They Trust Familiar.

When someone lands on your website, they’re subconsciously asking:

“Is this a real business run by real people… or is this just internet noise?”

Stock photos don’t answer that question.Real photos do — even if they’re imperfect.

A slightly crooked picture of your team.Your actual workspace.Your actual dog wandering into the frame.

That’s the stuff that makes people pause and think,“Okay. These people feel legit.”

🐶 Yes, Your Office Dog Counts (And People Love Them)

If you have an office dog, shop dog, warehouse cat, or unofficial morale manager — use them.

Photos of:

• a dog napping under a desk

• a dog greeting customers

• a dog supervising from a chair they were not invited to sit in

These images quietly say:

• we’re human

• we enjoy what we do

• you’ll probably like working with us

Make the a team member and a title:

• CBO (Chief Bark Officer)

• CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

• HR (Human Resources)

• Head of Marketing

Bonus: people remember the dog long after they forget the stock handshake photo.

Real-Life Photos Your Website Could Use More Of

If you’re not sure what to photograph, here are some ideas that work incredibly well:

🌻 You, Actually Working

Not a staged “looking at laptop and smiling for no reason” photo.

Think:

• typing

• measuring

• painting

• fixing

• framing

• loading

• designing

• continuing education classes

• employee milestones

• team parties

Action builds credibility.

🌻 Your Space, As-Is

Office, shop, studio, truck, warehouse, back room — it all counts.

People love seeing:

• where you work

• what it looks like before they walk in

• proof that you exist in the real world

No wide-angle magic required.

🌻 The Team Being Themselves

You don’t need stiff headshots everywhere.

Casual photos work beautifully:

• laughing mid-conversation

• working together

• holding tools, products, coffee cups, or clipboards

If it feels like something you’d post on social media, it probably belongs on your site.

“But My Photos Aren’t Perfect…”

Good!

Perfect photos feel distant. Real photos feel approachable.

Blurry? Crop it. Lighting off? Adjust it. Someone blinking? Take another — or keep it if it feels natural.

People aren’t judging your photography skills.They’re deciding whether they feel comfortable calling you.

When Stock Photos Still Make Sense

Stock images aren’t the enemy.

They work well for:

• background textures

• abstract concepts

• filler when no real photo exists yet

But they should support your story — not replace it.

If your entire site is stock photos, visitors feel it instantly. Stock photos can serve as inspiration. I have developed website that started off using stock photos and were eventually replaced over time with real photos.

Trust Is Built in Small, Human Ways

Your website doesn’t need to look like a national brand.

It needs to feel like you.

A real space. Real people. A real business. Maybe a real dog.

Those details matter more than you think.

And they’re often the difference between someone clicking away… or reaching out.

Want Help Choosing Which Photos to Use?

Sometimes it’s not about taking more photos — it’s about using the right ones in the right places.

If you’re unsure what your website is communicating visually, a quick review can reveal easy wins that build trust fast.