How to choose photos for travel websites

Show the real experience

• Pick photos that clearly show what visitors will actually see: streets, views, rooms, food, transport, crowds.

• Avoid overly filtered or misleading stock photos – they increase bounce rates and complaints.

Prioritize quality and composition

• Use sharp, well-lit images (no blur or heavy noise) with a clear subject.

• Prefer horizontal (landscape) photos for hero sections and banners; verticals can work for galleries and mobile-first layouts.

• Use leading lines (roads, paths, shorelines) and wide shots to create a sense of “being there.”

Optimize for web performance

• Aim for a max resolution around ~2000 px on the long edge for full-width images, smaller (800–1200 px) for galleries/thumbnails.

• Compress images before upload (e.g., with an online compressor) to keep file sizes low and your site fast.

• Don’t overload one page with too many large photos; spread galleries over multiple sections/pages.

Match each section’s goal

• Homepage hero: 1–2 striking, wide photos showing the destination’s “wow” factor.

• Accommodation / services: clear interior shots, amenities, bathrooms, lobby, views from balconies.

• Activities / experiences: people doing things (tours, hikes, food, nightlife) to make it feel bookable, not just “pretty.”

• About / story: more personal, behind-the-scenes photos (team, guides, hosts).

Be consistent in style and color

• Stick to a similar editing style (warm vs. cool, high contrast vs. soft) to avoid a “patchwork” look.

• Try to use a consistent time-of-day feel per page (e.g., golden hour for romantic trips, bright midday for family fun).

Think about accessibility and SEO

• Choose photos that can be described clearly: “Santorini white houses with blue roofs at sunset” is better than “random beach.”

• Add short, descriptive alt text in the builder (helps screen readers and Google Image search).

Use people strategically

• Include people in some photos to show scale, emotions, and atmosphere.

• Avoid faces that clearly conflict with your target audience (e.g., party vibe when you sell calm retreats).

• If you use your own photos with identifiable people, ensure you have permission or model releases where needed.

Mind licenses and rights

• Only use photos you own, licensed stock, or images with a clear usage license (commercial use allowed).

• Keep a record of where you got each image and the license terms.