As humans, we are visual creatures. Our brains are wired to process visual information quickly, and images can evoke powerful emotions and reactions. This is why incorporating high-quality photos for your therapy-based business can be an effective way to engage your visitors and communicate your message. Today’s topic is all about finding free photos, using them effectively on your website or other platforms, and understanding the legal jargon surrounding image usage.

A Quick Note

Before we get too far, I just wanted to share a quick rule of thumb about something significant for therapy websites: Use photos of people. While nature photos can certainly be beautiful and evoke emotions, when it comes to a therapy-based business website, it’s important to use photos of people. The reason for this is simple: people want to connect with people. Clients seeking therapy are looking for someone they can trust and feel comfortable opening up to, and seeing photos of real people on your website can help establish that connection. It humanizes your business and shows potential clients that you are approachable and relatable. Additionally, using photos of diverse individuals can help convey a message of inclusivity and create a welcoming environment for all. So, while nature photos can certainly be used to enhance your website’s aesthetic, don’t forget to incorporate photos of real people to help establish that all-important connection.

1. Finding Your Photos

Let’s get to the question that everyone is asking: Where do you find the right images without breaking the bank? Luckily, there are many websites that offer a variety of high-quality images that are actually free to use. Some popular options include Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay, and even Canva. These sites have vast collections of photos that you can use for any purpose. (It’s always a good idea to double-check the license terms, though, to ensure you’re using the images appropriately.) We won’t go too much into the details of those websites. We will simply say that they are free (wonderful), they are easy to navigate (awesome), they have high-quality images (fantastic), and there are even more like them out there, so just take a look. You definitely don’t have to spend a fortune making your website look great– at least not with your stock photos you don’t. If however, you don’t mind spending a bit of money, some really great options that we’ve explored are Adobe Stock and ShutterStock.

2. Using Your Photos

When it comes to using photos on a therapy-based website, we want to make sure we’re doing it right. So, let’s talk best practices. First off, you’ll want to choose images that are like your therapy sessions – high-quality and relevant. Photos should enhance the text, not distract from it. Secondly, using photos of real people can help establish that all-important connection, just like how you bond with your clients. It could also be a good idea to mix it up with photos of your office space so potential clients know what they’re getting into. Lastly, the size of your photos is important– keep your image files on the smaller side so that your website doesn’t take a really long time to load. The rule of thumb is to only make the images as large as the space your are using them in. So, if the space is small, then the size of the image should be as well. Pretty much, you will probably never ever need an image more than 2000 pixels in width or height. If your images are larger, then they should be resized. With these tips in mind, your website is going to take off faster than you can say, “cognitive-behavioral therapy!”

3. The Rules Surrounding Your Photos

Now, let’s break down some of the legal jargon you might encounter when searching for images. The 3 most common words you will hear when it comes to stock photos are Copyright, Royalty-free, and Creative Commons. Copyright is a legal right that protects original works of authorship, including photos. This means that the person who took the photo owns the exclusive rights to it and can control how it’s used, so you’ve got to ask permission or maybe find a new photo. Royalty-free images are licensed for a one-time fee, and you can use them multiple times without paying additional fees. Finally, Creative Commons licenses allow you to use images for free under certain conditions, such as attribution, meaning you need to give credit to the original creator of the photo. This can usually be done by including a small caption with the photo or by adding a credits section to your website.

The Final Word

To sum everything up, using photos on your therapy-based website can help establish a connection with potential clients and enhance the overall look and feel of your site. While finding the right photos might seem like a challenge, there are plenty of free and affordable options available. Remember to use photos that complement your text, feature real people, and give visitors a feel for who you really are. Your website will thank you for all the wonderful photos you’ve added, and so will your clients. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words – or in this case, maybe even a thousand therapy sessions.