Why Brands Are Ditching Stock Photos
Stock photos are easy. They’re fast. They’re cheap. And they’re everywhere. But they don’t work anymore.
More Las Vegas businesses are realizing this and shifting to custom photos. Here’s why.
Stock Photos Don’t Build Trust
People can spot a stock photo instantly. It feels fake. Generic. Disconnected.
If you're trying to:
Sell a service
Attract loyal clients
Build a premium brand
...you can’t afford to look like everyone else.
Real people connect with real faces.
Your audience wants to see:
Who you are
What your team looks like
What makes your brand different
That kind of connection doesn’t come from a Shutterstock search.
Google Knows the Difference
If you're serious about SEO, you need original content. Stock photos don’t help you rank.
Original photography:
Keeps users on your page longer
Increases engagement
Helps with image-based search
Signals quality to Google
When we create personal brand photography or product visuals at Keystyle Media, we optimize each file for search engines.
Every image supports your ranking and tells Google:
“This business is the real deal.”
You’re Not Saving Money If It Costs You Sales
Stock might seem cheaper up front.
But the hidden costs stack up:
Lost brand credibility
Lower conversion rates
More bounce from visitors
Confused customers
Clients can’t picture themselves working with you or buying from you if the visuals aren’t actually you.
Real photos pay for themselves when they:
Drive more inquiries
Get shared more often
Close sales faster
We’ve seen it again and again.
You’re Not Generic—So Why Look That Way?
Las Vegas has a unique energy. Your business should reflect that.
Whether you:
Own a boutique
Run a law office
Offer personal training
Sell hand-crafted products
...your story is one of one.
Stock doesn’t show your story.
Real brand photography shows:
You in action
Your real space
Your real clients or process
This makes your brand feel alive.
What Are Las Vegas Brands Doing Instead?
They’re investing in custom shoots.
Here’s what we’ve seen lately at Keystyle Media:
Restaurant owners showcasing their chefs and dishes
E-commerce brands featuring local models and real customers
Coaches and consultants getting personal branding sessions for social media and websites
Event spaces using video tours to boost bookings
These visuals get used everywhere:
Websites
Paid ads
Reels and TikToks
Pitch decks
Email campaigns
Custom content doesn’t just look better. It performs better.
The ROI of Custom Brand Visuals
Let’s break it down. One recent Las Vegas client replaced stock photos with real content across their site.
Here’s what happened in 60 days:
Website bounce rate dropped by 35%
Lead conversion improved by 28%
Time-on-site doubled
Direct inquiries through Google My Business increased
No new offers. No big ad spend. Just new photos that felt real.
How to Transition Away from Stock
If you're still using stock photos, start here:
1. Audit Your Website
Make a list of all the stock images.
Ask:
Does this show my product or service?
Can a customer tell who I am from this image?
Does this feel real?
2. Prioritize Key Pages
Start with:
Homepage
About page
Service/Product pages
Contact section
These are high-traffic and high-trust zones.
3. Book a Shoot with a Photographer Who Gets Business
Work with someone who understands branding and marketing. At Keystyle Media, we don’t just shoot pretty pictures.
We build content that helps you:
Sell more
Rank better
Look legit
You get visuals you can use across platforms—without having to explain your brand 10 times.
Final Thought: Be Recognizable
People scroll fast. They’ll forget a pretty photo. They won’t forget a face. Want to stand out in a crowded Las Vegas market? Start showing yourself. Custom photography makes you recognizable. It makes you relatable. It makes your brand real. Let’s build visuals that bring people in.