Why Using Real People Beats Stock Photos in Marketing
Still using stock photos to represent your business? You might be sending the wrong message.
Real photos of your actual team build trust, attract attention, and help increase sales. A Getty Images study found that 98% of consumers trust brands more when they use authentic imagery.
Real people make your brand feel human.
Stock photos? Not so much.
Why Real Faces Work Better
Trust: People connect more easily with real faces. Eye-tracking studies show users often ignore stock images but focus on actual employees.
Relatable Stories: Your brand is unique. Real photos let you show that. Stock visuals feel generic and forgettable.
Proven Results
Swapping stock for real images has led to:
35% higher conversions in A/B tests.
45% more quote requests for one business using a real photo of their team.
More clicks, longer page visits, and stronger engagement overall.
Strengthens Company Culture
Real photos do more than just help marketing:
Employees feel valued when they’re featured.
They’re more likely to share your content.
Job seekers get a real sense of your company vibe.
Stand Out and Get Found
Original photos make your brand stand out. Stock photos are overused and feel outdated.
Search engines prefer unique content.
Authentic images help improve SEO and visitor retention.
Tips for Better Company Photos
Plan ahead: Know what message or emotion you want to show.
Keep it natural: Capture real moments, not just headshots.
Show diversity: Your people reflect your values.
Keep it clean: Good lighting and clarity matter.
Get the team involved: Let them enjoy the process.
Get professional photographers to do it for you!
References:
Getty Images Research on Visual Authenticity - https://newsroom.gettyimages.com/en/getty-images/nearly-90-of-consumers-want-transparency-on-ai-images-finds-getty-images-report
Nielsen Norman Group - https://www.nngroup.com/articles/photos-as-web-content/
MarketingExperiments A/B Test Case Study - https://marketingexperiments.com/digital-advertising/stock-images-tested#:~:text=So%20what%20were%20the%20results%3F,optimization%20cycle
Sprout Social Insights on Authenticity and Engagement - https://sproutsocial.com/insights/data/social-media-trends/
Content Marketing Institute - https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/articles/stop-using-stock-photos/
Google Search Central Blog - https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2020/02/things-we-avoid-in-images
Brafton Marketing Study - https://www.brafton.com/blog/visual-content/stock-vs-original-images/
HubSpot Research - https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/custom-vs-stock-images
https://www.business.com/articles/stock-photography-is-ineffective-why-are-you-still-using-it
Final Thought
People buy from people. If you want your brand to feel real, show your real people.
Whether you’re an SME or a listed company, using authentic team photos helps customers feel connected and builds trust that no stock image can match.
Hello. My name is Hafiz ismail.
I am a Professional Photographer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I have been doing this for 18 years.
I have worked with a number of companies, entities and individuals.
What Solutions do I Provide?
Corporate Photography Service for companies/brands/agencies which includes headshots, team photos,
Real Estate Photography - Exterior, Interior photography for agents, property sales, resorts.
Virtual Staging - I offer virtual staging services to help clients save costs while enhancing property visibility
Portrait/Headshots Photography - Ensuring you and your team look professional to all of your customers.
Event Photography
Product Photography
Limited Edition Prints
Read Testimonies from satisfied clients
I have helped a lot of companies
18 years creating visuals for our clients.
Here are some success stories where we’ve elevated brands and properties through impactful photography and creative solutions.
Testimonies
“I seriously dont mind using his service again and fly him everywhere for the professional work he has done to my company”
— Eva, Ceritera Travels Sdn Bhd
“His photos have an impact in directly translating to sales for my business.”
— Zikri, Mesra Rehat Sdn Bhd
