6 Tips for Picking Photos That Go Well with Text + 17 Free Ones!

Orange and pink colorful corrugated surface. Above, there is a clear blue sky and at the top, the text "Your words here"

In previous articles, we’ve covered how to shoot video backgrounds that will go well with text on screen, and today we’re looking at what makes a good photo background for a graphic design. You can follow these guidelines to take better photos yourself for ads or know what to look for when searching stock imagery services. And feel free to grab any of the Adobe Express designs (just click or tap to edit) or images in this article to jumpstart your design process.

Go for Minimalism

Minimalism is definitely having a moment on Instagram these days. Minimalist designs give you lots of room to place type in various areas.

A hot air balloon floating in a clear blue sky. Above the balloon, reads "Lets go explore".

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/IHtdjCKHgC

Banner for Black History Month in February with partially visible person.

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/mPwdzlZIgC

Orange and pink colorful corrugated surface. Above, there is a clear blue sky.
A colorful background like this photo from Dimitri Popov on Unsplash will light up your feed.

A succulent.
Or go for clean and light with this succulent picture by Scott Webb on Unsplash.

Look for Open Space

Busy backgrounds make the design process a bit trickier. While not impossible to work with, especially given the colored backgrounds you can combine with images, but a good rule of thumb is to choose photos with lots of empty space and use the least busy part of your image to place your message, like the designs below do.

Red liquid being poured into a repaired mug with the text reading "Touch up tips for broken pottery".

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/nv6etWMMgC

Winter clearance poster featuring a helmet.

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/2jfG4T9PgC

Add Shapes for Readability

Shapes can help you work with busy backgrounds or make your text stand out more. Adjust the opacity to hint at the photo beneath.

Social media post featuring a field of flowers with a square in the center, celebrating the Earth Day.

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/ZFirVSJPgC

Asparagus, tomato, salmon and lemon on a wooden table. The text reads "Simple & healthy baked salmon dinner"

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/GdH4RyTPgC

Use the Photo’s Focal Point to Guide Design

The best designs show text and imagery working together. Instead of just slapping words on a photo, create depth and intrigue by having the text interact with your background in some way. You might do this by lining up the focal point of the image with a word you want to visually punctuate.

Color is another way to create a relationship between text and imagery. Adobe Express suggests color palettes based on the colors of the photo, so you don’t need to have a degree in color science to land on a good combo. (Although, following a few color principles helps.) Cycle through the options by tapping a palette until you land on a color combination you like.

A person surrounded by canyon-like mountains. The text reads, "The world is too beautiful to stay at one place".

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/vVCNbFgPgC

The lines of the text on this design mirror that of the big cliff in the foreground, which helps create continuity. Further the font used supports the message in tone and feel.

Colorful scene from the Holi festival featuring the text "Happy Holi!".

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/56b8vvXOgC

This design not only uses a complementary color, but the alignment of the text with the architecture in the photo helps create a relationship between type and photo.

Embrace Abstract Imagery

Abstract imagery can help make the text the focal point of your design, since faces tend to dominate an image. And abstract designs or imagery work beautifully as text cutouts to create texture.

Blue, orange and cream abstract design.
via Superfamous

View above the clouds, illuminated by the sun.
via Superfamous

Glass of lemonade, lemons and the text "30 minutes or less lemonades".

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/TX4RbHHOgC

Use People to Evoke Emotion

While abstract imagery and solid background colors can be great for making text pop, studies show people are most drawn to images that feature human faces. Using smiling faces in your advertisements and on your website can also increase trust and, likely, conversions. The following people-focused imagery is ready for your message:

A person wearing a robot costume, in front of a blue wall.
Via Gratisography

Headshot of a person wearing a black hat.
Via Gratisography

A person hugging a baby. It features a quote by Karl Lagerfeld about mothers and children.

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/nqpJJowMgC

Collage-style ad overlays a flower shape on an individual in stylish clothes.

https://adobesparkpost.app.link/gPWUN01MgC

Free Stock Imagery Services We Love

Unsplash – Unsplash has a modern, sometimes hipster, quality to many of their images, making it perfect for brands speaking to a young, artsy audience on social media. You’ll find many Unsplash imagery within the Adobe Express photo search, but we also love the image collections they offer on their own site for when we’re looking for inspiration. The photography is high quality and often relevant photo collections make it easy for marketers to speak to current events without spending big bucks.
Gratisography – If you’re looking for humorous or whimsical imagery, we love this service that specializes in quirk.
Superfamous – This library is especially great for nature and abstract imagery.Give these tips a whirl for your next graphic and tag #AdobeSpark on social for a chance to get featured.