Do I Need Professional Photos for My Website?
And what to do if I don’t have any yet
One of the most common questions we hear is:
“Do I have to get professional photos before I launch my site?”
Short answer: Nope — but great visuals do make a big difference!
Let’s break it down so you can feel confident.
First: Why Photos Matter
People are visual. Photos don’t just make your website look nice — they help visitors trust you and connect with you.
Good images help:
Build brand personality
Show your product, service or space clearly
Make your site feel polished and professional
Encourage people to stay longer (and click more)
But here’s the good news: you don’t need perfect images to get started.
You Have Options — Even Without a Photo Shoot
If you don’t have professional images (yet), here are some smart, simple ways to still make your site shine:
Use High-Quality Phone Photos
Modern phone cameras are brilliant. With natural light and a steady hand, you can capture:
Your products or process
Your workspace or studio
Candid portraits of you at work
Flat lays or detail shots (tools, textures, materials)
We can help you crop, or optimise these so they blend beautifully with your site’s design.
Use Stock Photos — Carefully
There are fantastic free (and paid) image libraries out there — especially for lifestyle, food, interiors, wellness, and more.
Some great sources:
Avoid cheesy or overused stock. Choose photos that feel natural, human, and you.
Book a Mini Shoot (If You Can)
If you’re ready to invest, a short session with a local photographer can make a huge difference.
We recommend:
Headshots
“At work” lifestyle shots
A few wide images of your space
Detail shots of hands, tools, process, etc.
These don’t need to be stiff or formal — they can feel relaxed, modern, and real.
(And they’re great for social media too!)
When Do You Really Need Pro Photos?
You might want to invest sooner if you are:
A product-based brand (jewellery, fashion, homeware)
A visual artist, designer or photographer
Running a luxury holiday let or experience-based space
Selling higher-ticket services where trust is key
Otherwise, you can absolutely start with what you have — and update later.
Final Thought from David & George:
Don’t wait for perfection to get online.
Done is better than waiting forever for the “right” photos.
We’ll work with whatever you have now — phone snaps, stock, sketches, or a Pinterest board — and help you build a beautiful site that reflects you.
When you're ready for that next level, you can plan a photo shoot that adds the sparkle.
Until then? You’re more than enough!
DISCLAIMER
This article is an original article written by David @ David&George - one of the UK’s leading Squarespace website designers. All opinions are the writers own and no liability will be taken for any errors or omissions. As Squarespace designers we will perhaps be a bit biased towards all things Squarespace - but Squarespace is such a game changer that we are its biggest fans. As web professionals we have seen how our clients love the control they have & the designs that are possible at reasonable cost. We would not work on any other platform!!
COPYRIGHT
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