Image impact and visual events
You can see the power of images with a flick of your eye, because they don’t just decorate your texts. You can recognize the subject of an image in just 100 milliseconds. For a more complex image, the brain takes about 1 to 2 seconds. It processes and stores images faster than text — that could also be the reason why articles with images get about 94 percent more attention, according to studies. They are also much more emotionality than words due to the physical, emotional, or surprising stimuli they send to our brain. Wondering what is meant by that? This is quickly explained:

• Physical stimuli include colors, for example
• Emotional stimuli include cute motifs, such as the prime example of cute baby animals, or a certain body language
• Surprising stimuli have an irritating effect on you and it can be a surreal presentation such as

Images not only catch our attention, but can also direct it. Have you ever noticed that you automatically look in the direction a person is looking in the photo you’re looking at at the moment? But lines can also guide your gaze — these types of images create visual events. But of course they can not only create positive associations, but also negatives. Studies show that images are ignored if they don’t contain important information or, worse, they can make a formerly good impression worse. And negative things unfortunately stay in the head longer and more present than positive ones.

Develop image strategy
First off, your strategy shouldn’t just be to catapult as many pretty pictures into the social media world as possible — even if the temptation to do so is very strong, especially on image-based social media channels like Instagram. You should also only include stock photos in your social media profile in well-justified cases. And the lack of pictures or just because you want to post something is not a good reason here. That’s because even though some influencers seem to have the right images in front of their lens at the right time, of course, that’s not the case and there’s a lot of planning and strategy behind it — from appealing coloring or using certain filters to the image motif and the topic that involves the motifs should move. It is particularly noticeable in image networks such as Pinterest and Instagram when you line up images as you like, as they can all be seen side by side in the profile view. To help you a little bit, we give you four requirements for a well-thought-out image strategy below:

Formulating a concept
What would you like to display on your social media profile, what do you want to achieve with your followers, how do you want to be perceived and which division do you represent? These are all questions you should ask yourself when building your image strategy. Because the images you present on your account, you transport moods and emotions to your followers. If you want to get into the sustainability sector, for example, you’ll have to adapt the selection of your image motifs accordingly. So you shouldn’t have your photo smiling happily in a fast food chain or power shopping. Playing with specific colors, color palettes, or filters is also becoming increasingly important — for example, rely on green tones and soft shades in exposure when it comes to sustainability.

Continuity
Present yourself the way you want to be seen and perceived. Recurring picture elements look more harmonious and impress your followers with their uniformity.

Self-reliance
The words self-reliance and image strategy don’t go together for you? Then remember all the selfies with the same facial expressions and poses that fly towards you so often every day. They are not authentic or meaningful and could in large part just as easily be an interchangeable stock photo. And that’s exactly what an independent picture isn’t: it provides you with information that engages you and thus your followers — preferably sustainably.

Simplicity and clarity

Focus on the essentials of your image selection and don’t bring too many unimportant details into play. Because your followers won’t stick to your picture for long with the wealth of information and images they’re confronted with every day. A short moment decides. If the image is simple and clear, the brain can process the transmitted information faster and it stays in memory longer.

Authentic and relevant
Last but not least, here are the most important tips for the perfect pictures in an overview:

• Always tailor your photos to your target audience.
• Create an individual atmosphere.
• Emotions are key, good mood is key and authenticity is a must.
• Your images and texts need to go together.
• Find a good mix of stock photos and with your own.
• When it comes to image editing, the following is a rule of thumb: less is often more.
• Create a recognition word and a clear line.
• Pay attention to the right resolution.
• Vary with your photos and create variety, but stay true to your topic.

Free image banks & stock photos overview

Picjumbo
Beautiful, free stock photos for download and for personal and commercial use. Whether food pictures or travel photos — on Picjumbo you’ll find free images for Instagram & Co.

Freepik
If you’re looking for graphics, designs, or vectors, you’ll definitely find a suitable photo on Freerange.

Splitshire
Split into many topics, you’ll find free images on Splitshire that you can use without specifying sources. Videos and, above all, great landscape shots can also be found in the free range.

Pixabay
Find free images and videos for projects and your website. Share and find free images. All photos published there are freely published. This means that they are free of copyright, so you can use them for private as well as commercial purposes.

Unsplash
Search through the image database with keywords — you’ll find breathtaking shots on all topics. You can use all images freely. You can — but you don’t have to mention the author.

re:splashed
Choose from over 1000 free images that you can stop on your website. You can use re:splashed as a source, especially for landscape paintings.

Magdeleine
You can find selected free pictures and great drone images on Magdeleine.co. Here you can find beautiful designs for headers.

Free Nature Stock
Here you can find great nature shots for blog and websites in high quality and resolution.

Gratisography
You can use all images on free photography on your channels for private and commercial purposes. Search for categories and topics.

Pexels
You can also find high-resolution and great pictures on Pexels. Again, you don’t have to name the photographer and you can use the images freely anywhere.

Negative Space
Beautiful, high-resolution free stock photos

For personal or commercial use, all CC0-licensed images on the website are completely free!

 Todo:

The spoilt for choice 🙂

If you want to be successful on Instagram, you need sensational photos! So get on the platforms. Search for your favorite images, sorted by keyword and free to use. And download high-resolution royalty-free images for editorial use, vectors, video clips, and music.

Do you already have an idea how you would like to implement it? Which platforms do you prefer the most? Share your pictures and results with us!