How Designers Can Use Stock Photos Without Compromising Originality
Let’s face it: stock photos often get a bad rap. Designers and creatives worry they’ll look generic, overused, or out of touch with their brand’s voice. But when used strategically, stock photography can be a powerful tool that saves time, reduces costs, and still delivers standout, original designs.
So how can designers harness the benefits of stock images without compromising creativity?
Let’s explore how to use stock photos with originality, intention, and impact.
Why Designers Still Rely on Stock Photos
Stock photography offers several undeniable advantages:
Immediate access to thousands of visuals
Budget-friendly compared to custom shoots
Ideal for tight deadlines and fast-paced content needs
But the secret to using stock effectively lies in how it’s used—not just what you download.
1. Start With Concept, Not Content
Originality starts with your creative concept—not the image itself. Begin with a clear vision for your design:
What story are you telling?
What emotion do you want to evoke?
How does this piece support the brand voice?
Only then should you source images that fit your narrative, rather than letting stock photos dictate your direction.
2. Use Stock as a Design Element, Not the Focal Point
You don’t have to use stock images as-is. Layer them, crop them creatively, add filters, integrate text, or combine multiple images to create a collage or composite. By turning stock into a supporting visual element, you maintain control over the design’s tone and originality.
3. Customize and Edit Thoughtfully
Crop out clichés – Remove dated or distracting parts of the image
Adjust colors and tones – Match your brand palette using color grading or overlays
Add branded textures or graphics – Combine images with illustrations, brush strokes, or patterns
Use masks or blending modes – Make the photo feel like part of a bigger visual ecosystem
The more personalized your edits, the less recognizable—and more on-brand—the stock photo becomes.
4. Choose High-Quality, Unique Stock Libraries
Not all stock is created equal. Avoid cliché-heavy collections and opt for libraries that offer more realistic, artistic, and diverse content. Some recommended sources include:
Stocksy (authentic, artistic photography)
Death to Stock (exclusive and non-generic visuals)
Unsplash & Pexels (high-quality free stock, but be selective)
Adobe Stock or Getty Images (professional-grade with licensing options)
5. Blend Multiple Images Into One Visual
One smart way to avoid that "stock photo look" is to create a hybrid composition. Combine elements from different photos to create something entirely new. This works especially well for social posts, web headers, and editorial layouts.
6. Add Your Brand Elements
Make the design unmistakably yours by layering in:
Brand typography
Custom icons or illustrations
Branded color overlays
Signature graphic styles
These elements turn any photo into a branded, original piece of content.
7. Use Photography Strategically Across Platforms
Even the best photo loses impact if it's repeated too often. Use stock photos tactically:
Choose hero visuals for campaigns, headers, or product pages
Rotate secondary images for blog posts or social content
Limit exposure of the same image across multiple touchpoints
This keeps your visuals feeling fresh and intentional.