How to Chose Stock Photography for your Web Site

So you've decided to take the plunge. You know that stock photography is an effective tool for your web business, but where do you start and how do you choose the stock photo that's right for you. Here are some tips to get you started so that you are happy with your choice.

1. Decide where you want to purchase your stock photography. There are large agencies and small independent photographers. While the agencies will have more to chose from and sometimes lower prices an independent photographer will offer more personalized service and opportunities for you to have custom work done, if that is what you need.

2. Don't go in expecting to find an exact image that is in your head, a large agency or an independent photographer will not have the man in a blue suit, holding a cell phone, next to the white blinds nor will they have the beach landscape with the green and white striped chair. You need to have a clear idea in your head of the message that you want to convey and search for an image that creates the message that you want. (If you want something specific you'll have to pay for a photographer to shoot to your specifications.)

3. Make use of a free comp image to try out the image and make sure that it fits with your project or web design. Most stock agencies offer some sort of free comp image for position only so that you can make sure that you like what you're going to buy. Please use this option, if available, and make sure that the image is going to convey the message that you want it to.

4. Pay for what you need. Don't pay for a 300 dpi image for a web design, and don't buy a 72 dpi image for something you intend to print. Make sure that the agency or independent photographer offers at least a printable and a web version of every photo. Buy only the size image that you need for your job.

5. How much do you want to pay and for how long to you want to use the image? This comes down to royalty free or rights managed. If you don't want the chance of your competitor using the same image or you plan to use the image on or for a product you may want to look at rights managed. This will cost you more but it will lessen the chance of your competitor using the same image. Keep in mind that if you're using the image for an extended period of time you will have to pay for the use of the image every year or so. If you don't feel that your competitor using the same image is a threat or you dont have the money for rights managed photos look into royalty free photography. This product is also great if you're planning to use the images for an extended period of time.

I hope these tips help to get you started in choosing stock photography for your web site, business, or product. Remember to shop around and look for what you need. Also if an agency or photographer doesn't have what you need ask, you may be surprised how helpful they can be even for specific requests. If you have some specific questions please visit my Photography Forum at: http://kellypaalphotography.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php and post your question there.

About The Author

Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal

Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.

---

Cheap Web Design In London

Due to the large number of people offering web design... Read More

Title Tags - How to Make Them More Effective

The title tags of your web pages are more important... Read More

How to Make a Website (Minus the Headaches)

There is nothing wrong with making your own website if... Read More

Plugging the Dreaded World Wide Web Black Hole is Just the First Step

You have created your custom error page so now all... Read More

Business Opportunity for Graphic Designers

As a graphic designer, you are sitting on a gold... Read More

Choosing Your Web Design

We would all like to have the best looking website,... Read More

How to Hire The Right Web Design Firm

Regardless whether you manage a small business, charitable organization, or... Read More

Tips For An Effective Website

A successful website is something that everyone venturing into the... Read More

Build It And Build It Cheap!

There are several very good reasons why you should consider... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Increase Web Sales - Part 1

You have only 10 seconds to impress your potential buyer.... Read More

7 Ways of Building Customers Trust With Your Web Site

When I purchase something from a web site I first... Read More

7 Web Site Design Mistakes That Will Lose You Clients

In today's world, a web site is virtually mandatory for... Read More

When You Create A Web Site, Dont Make A Splash!

Don't make a splash!Are you thinking about using a splash... Read More

A Website Checklist

If you've just finished building your new website (or revamping... Read More

Web Design: Should You Hire Someone or Do It Yourself?

So you need a website. You are not sure if... Read More

12 Essential Web Site Design Tips

1. What's the purpose?The most fundamental thing to do before... Read More

Excellently Constructed Websites

Want to see an excellently constructed website? As a writer... Read More

Why Choose A Professional Web Designer?

It seems that almost every Tom Dick and Harry do... Read More

Choosing A Color Scheme

When you begin the design of your Web site, one... Read More

No Matr How Goud The Infomation...

Typos, misspellings, hideous grammar, exclamation overkill and run-on sentences all... Read More

Web Copy - What You Should Know First

Just what is web copy? Some people think that web... Read More

Discover 7 Proven Shopping Cart Enhancements to Increase Your Sales

For online businesses with their main goal of selling products,... Read More

Power of Squeeze Pages for Realtors

Squeeze pages are a very hot topic in the internet... Read More

Handwriting Font Tips - The Personal Touch That Makes a Difference

Most websites use similar fonts and as a result have... Read More

Learn the Truth about Your Web Design Company by Its Portfolio

When you start building your online business and search for... Read More

Through The Looking Glass

My mother used to take me along when she visited... Read More

User Experience and Search Engines: If Your Home Page Could Only Talk

Dear web site visitor.I can't tell you how glad I... Read More

Ten Fatal Mistakes That Make Web Sites Stink

Since you'll spend lots of time and money to create... Read More

Website Design For Small Businesses

There are many different website design companies, offering different facilities... Read More

Building Your Website to Save You Money

Does your website make you any money? Does it SAVE... Read More

Website Redesign for Existing Websites

Does your website need a re-design? Here are some questions... Read More

Eliciting Constructive Website Feedback

"It's good.""You've done a nice job.""I don't like it."At some... Read More

Flash Doesnt Always Add Shine to Web Efforts

The trend today to overuse animation in a website's opening... Read More