Stock photography is often recognisable as such, and recognisable stock imagery undercuts trust the moment a visitor notices it.
Many stock photos are used across thousands of sites — visitors who've seen the same image elsewhere immediately register the site as generic.
Your actual premises, team, or product build far more confidence than a generic representation of a similar-looking business.
Real photos need to be genuinely well-lit and composed — poor-quality authentic photos can undercut trust almost as much as obvious stock imagery.
Even a smartphone, used thoughtfully with good lighting, usually outperforms generic stock photography for building trust.
Find out if stock imagery is undercutting your own site.
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