Want to Step Up Your Social Media Game? Here's How Stock Photos Can Help

What is the best place to reach current and prospective customers and clients?

If you guessed social media, you'd be right.

Social media continues to grow at a breakneck speed—Facebook has more than 2.5 billion monthly active users, Twitter boasts 330 million monthly active users, while Instagram clocks in at more than 1 billion monthly active users.

If you want to reach the widest possible audience, social media is the way to do it.

However, with so many different platforms and so many different types of content, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start or what to post.

Should you be posting images or Instagram Stories? What in the world is IGTV? Is Facebook still relevant?

Where does all that content come from, anyway?

If you are getting started on social media and aren't quite sure if you should be using images—or where to find high-quality photos—then read on!

The Benefits of Using Images on Social Media

When you scroll through your social media feed, what catches your eye? A text post, a link to a news article—or a stunning image of a crystal clear waterfall?

Beautiful images stand out on every platform.

Using images on social media isn't just a nice-to-have—it is critical to engaging your audience.

People gravitate to images because it's the way we are wired.

In fact, nearly half of our brain is dedicated to processing visual images. And, we process images 60,000 times faster than written text.

We don't just like images because they are appealing, but because they help our brains better understand information.

On social media, using relevant images can help attract more attention to posts, better communicate important information, and even increase your post's reach and engagement (that is, how many people see, like, comment, or share your updates.)

Find the Right Stock Photo for Your Brand's Social Media

Now that you understand why photos are so important for your social media account, you're likely wondering where to find those photos.

And, you might be thinking,

"Can't I just use images I find on Google for my social media?"

Unfortunately, no. Here's why—most images you'll find on Google are copyrighted, meaning someone owns the rights to the photo and has control over who uses their property and how they use it.

But, as a small business owner or social media manager, you might not have the time to take your own photos or hire a photographer.

Which is where stock photography comes in.

Stock photo sites like Pexels share a wide selection of quality stock photos that you can use, often free of charge or in exchange for a link.

But, a lot of stock photographs are awkward, or just plain weird. The good news is there are tons of genuine, unique free stock photos out there—if you know where to look and how to find the right ones.

So how do you find the right stock photos for social media marketing?

Choose high-quality images

Images should be high-resolution, clear, and easy to view on a mobile device. Blurry or pixelated images reflect poorly on your brand, so make sure you download images, don't use screen capture.

Test an image or two to make sure they display correctly on both desktop and mobile devices.

Make sure the image relates to your post or brand

Too many brands think "Oh, images are good!" and throw up random images that have nothing to do with their brand or the products or services they offer.

This looks fake and awkward. Instead, look for images related to your brand or the emotion you want to evoke.

For example, an ice cream shop might share an image of friends enjoying a scoop of ice cream on a hot day with a post announcing a new flavor.

Avoid generic or awkward photos

Stock photos sometimes get a bad rap. That is because too many brands are using the same weird, generic, and awkward photos. Avoid photos that look like they belong in a textbook.

Instead, look for photos that feel authentic. People should be relaxed and natural-looking. Products should be well-lit, but not washed out, and have a natural background. For example, a restaurant might choose a photo of a burger on a checkered paper rather than one with a plain white background.

How to Get Creative With Stock Photos for Social Media

The main challenge of using stock photos is that anyone can use them. Which means there is a good chance other brands are using the exact same images.

Instead of using stock photos as-is, here are a few ways to get creative and make them unique. (Just make sure the copyright allows you to use the images with edits.)

Crop photos: Rather than using the image in full, crop to focus on a specific element, such as a face, hand, or part of a landscape.

Add a filter: Use an online photo editing app like Canva to add a filter or adjust the lighting of images to make them unique.

Add text: Online editing apps also make it easy to add text to stock photos. For example, you could add text outlining an upcoming promotion or add your company's website. Make sure to use a contrasting text color so it is easy to read.

Start by using high-quality stock photos, but don't be afraid to get creative to make your social media images stand out! GIFs, memes, and stock videos can also help set your brand's profile apart.

Final Thoughts on Choosing Stock Photos for Social Media

Images are an integral part of building a successful social media presence. But, you don't need to invest thousands of dollars in a professional photographer to get results.

High-quality stock photos can help you connect with your audience, share your brand values, and drive engagement.

Cover image by Prateek Katyal.