Yes, we use stock photography, and so should you. It's especially useful for small businesses and sole proprietors without expansive budgets. We even tiptoe into cliches if the imagery is especially rich or the story particularly compelling, or if we can manipulate the graphics to lift it out of the mundane. The risk is always this, however: if the image comes across as a shortcut or as filler, you will lose your audience in a heartbeat. For the do-it-yourself website builder, we recommend vetting your choices with your board of directors or a trusted confidante before unleashing a cliche that sabotages your brand. Or go to http://www.101cliches.com/view-the-101 to see beautifully presented examples of what-not-to-do.
