Whilst I would always recommend creating your own personal brand photography for your biz graphics wherever possible (and I have created an entire guide to help you do this in a fun, non-techy way with just your phone), sometimes we’ll still find ourselves needing to resort to stock photographs, and that’s ok.

Stock photography can still be a great resource for busy business owners looking to create professional visuals in less time. However, relying on generic images straight from the source can unfortunately make your brand feel more impersonal and disconnected. By customising stock photos to better align with your brand aesthetic, you can subtly elevate your visuals while keeping things quick and efficient… and that’s what we want, right? :-)

Whether you're crafting blog posts, social media content, or website graphics, tailoring stock photos helps you maintain a cohesive, polished look that doesn’t just blend into the sea of generic-ness, especially when others in your industry are likely using the same ones!

Let’s explore some great resources for sourcing stock images for your creative or wellness based business, and some tips for making them your own.

Where to Find the Best Stock Photos for Your Brand

For free options, websites like Pexels and Unsplash are excellent starting points for high-quality, royalty-free images. Canva is another great platform, especially if you’re using their Pro account for access to a broader library of resources.

If your brand style leans toward the quirky or whimsical, check out Gratisography for some truly unique and playful imagery. For a vintage look, New Old Stock is a treasure trove of retro-style images.

Incorporating diversity and inclusivity into your visuals? Visit Burst or Nappy for authentic and representative photography.

When you need something ultra-specific or want to avoid overused visuals often found on the free sites, investing in premium stock photos can be worth it. Many paid libraries like Adobe Stock and Shutterstock offer a broader selection, and some even include free trials to test out their offerings before committing - giving you a number of images for free.

Quick Tips for Personalising Stock Photography

So, you’ve chosen some pics to use, now let’s tweak them.

Stock photos can look generic if left untouched, but a few creative tweaks can turn them into something much better suited to your brand. Take a look at the tips and examples below, many of which can be combined:

Flip or Rotate the Image: A simple rotation or flip can give the image a fresh perspective and make it immediately feel less familiar.
Add a Transparent Overlay in a Brand Colour: Use your brand palette to apply a subtle overlay. This simple tweak ties the image to your identity while softening the original photo.
Layer Over a Texture or Pattern: Overlaying a high-transparency texture, such as linen, scrunched paper, marble, or a geometric pattern, adds depth and warmth (you can usually find these kinds of images on free stock sites).
Crop Creatively: Dramatically shift the focal point by simply cropping the image in unexpected ways. For example, focus on one key element rather than the entire scene.
Tweak the Colouration: Apply tone adjustment, filters, adjust the saturation, or turn the image into black and white or sepia tones to match your aesthetic.
Blur the Background: If you’re using the image as a backdrop, try blurring it slightly or adding a gradient over. This creates a softer, subtler look especially good for layering text or graphics over the top.
Incorporate Text or Graphics: Break up the photo visually by adding banners, quotes, or your logo. This makes the image feel more personalised and brand-specific with less focus on the orginal photo.
Combine Multiple Images: Experiment with creating collages or merging or layering several images to form your own compositions. This is especially effective for mood boards, storytelling content or a longer banner image.
Overlay Shapes or Icons: Instead of text, use simple shapes or custom icons that align with your brand style to make stock photos look more designed and mask areas, drawing attention away from the whole.
Edit Small Details: Tools like Canva or Photoshop allow you to tweak elements of the image, such as removing a distracting object, a background, or adjusting shadows or contrast to fit your preferred mood.

Here are some simple examples in practice: (scroll through)

Original stock photo
Cropped and desaturated
Image flipped an filter applied to compliment brand style
Adding a subtle blur to the iamge and overlaying with text
Adding a texture overlay with subtle transparency to create space for text

(note: all these edits were made in Canva)

Why Customising Stock Photos Matters

Personalised stock images help your brand stand out in a sea of sameness.

While stock libraries are full of great options, and should totally be utilised when needed, using them too often without modification can dilute your brand’s personality and originality. By taking a little time to customise these images, you’ll create visuals that resonate more deeply with your audience, increasing trust and connection.

Customising stock photography is a powerful yet simple way to subtly enhance your branding without the expense of custom photoshoots. With a bit of creativity, you can turn readily available resources into assets that reflect your brand’s personality.

Want to Take Your Own Personal Brand Photos? (but not sure how to start?)

Check out Capture Your Brand, your non-tech guide to personal brand photography.

DIY your own photoshoot for a fun, empowering, budget-friendly way to take control of your brand’s image and tell your story, your way. With just your smart phone and some simple techniques, you can create fantastic photos that truly represent you, without the costs and logistics of hiring a photographer each time you need new content.

Discover how to turn everyday moments into unique content for your brand. Whether you're at home, work or out and about - you'll learn to create professional-looking photos that you love, that truly stand out and connect with your audience