Photos are one of the MOST important parts of designing a gorgeous professional website. But it might be hard to know exactly what you need.

These are the 4 types of photos I recommend for every site I design.

Friendly, smiling headshot

Number one, you need to have at least one good headshot photo. Make sure you are looking at the camera, smiling, and giving the impression of somebody you’d would want to have a conversation with.

Don’t mistake ‘headshot’ with ‘formal’. We aren’t looking for the type of headshot you’ll find in a corporate company directory.

This photo can be casual, and informal… just make sure you are in it and you’re smiling at the camera 🙂

Big full-screen hero images

The second type of photo that most people really like are the like the big hero image shots that you see that stretch across the full screen.

You need to plan for these in advance and get your photographer to do it the right way.

You need to be surrounded by a ton of space around the edges. It’s also great to position yourself in about 1/3 of the frame. That way, there is room for your designer overlay text without it sliding across your face!

Personality shots

The third type of photos you need are some fun photos that show your personality.

You know the ones – the photo with your dog, or your kids, or your coffee, or at your desk, or laughing… whatever feels authentic for you!

BONUS – B roll photos

The fourth type of photo that’s a bonus to have are almost like personalized stock photos. (You don’t need these – you could use stock photos.)

These photos that aren’t necessarily of you, but they capture your environment, and they’re things that make sense with your brand.

So it might be like shots of your desk, or your computer, or your coffee cup, or your living space. Maybe it’s outdoors, like your garden. It really depends on your business and what your personal brand involves.

But it’s kind of cool to have your own stock-ish photos that are unique to you and that’s one way that you can really up level your website!

Use these tips to plan your next photo shoot! Your photographer and your website designer will thank you 😁.

Need help with your visual brand?

Check out our new DIY Brand Kit Templates! 100% customizable and easy to edit in Canva 🙂