Answer · Custom Web Design
How Do You Handle Stock Photography?
The short answer
We minimize stock photography on principle. Default approach: real photography (direct or your existing assets) for hero and team sections, plus carefully-curated stock from premium sources (Stocksy, Death to Stock) for supporting imagery where real photos aren’t available.
№ 01The longer answer
Stock photography is the single most reliable signal that a website was built carelessly. The ‘diverse smiling team in casual office,’ the ‘handshake over a laptop,’ the ‘person pointing at a chart’ — buyers see these 100× per month. They signal ‘AI-built site,’ not ‘serious vendor.’
Our default: real photography. We direct the photo shoot if you don’t have a photographer (typically $1,500-$3,500 for a half-day shoot in Tampa). We use your existing photography if it’s serviceable. We do NOT use Shutterstock, iStock, or Adobe Stock unless absolutely no alternative exists.
When stock is unavoidable (supporting imagery, illustrations, abstract concepts), we use premium sources: Stocksy (curated, real-feeling), Death to Stock (less-used, distinctive), Unsplash+ (free but acceptable). The bar: would a sophisticated buyer recognize this as stock? If yes, find something else.
If your budget doesn’t include photography and you don’t have existing assets, we can ship with placeholder imagery and you swap in real photos within 60-90 days post-launch. This is suboptimal but workable. We document which images need replacement in handoff.
№ 02Can I provide photography?
Yes — we strongly prefer this. Your existing photos, your photographer’s work, or a shoot we direct together. If you have a Tampa-area photographer we trust, we coordinate the shoot brief.
№ 03What about AI-generated imagery?
We use AI imagery for abstract backgrounds, textures, and decorative elements where it’s clearly non-photographic. We do NOT use AI-generated ‘photographs’ of people or specific products. The uncanny-valley issue is real and tanks credibility.
№ 04How much does custom photography typically add to the budget?
$1,500-$3,500 for a half-day Tampa shoot, $3,500-$8,000 for a full-day with multiple locations. Pre-launch shoots are scheduled in Sprint 1 to avoid timeline impact.
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