ALIGNED AESTHETIC: How to Choose High-Vibe Imagery for Your Wellness Website
Most people pick images for their websites based on what looks good…instead of what feels aligned with the transformation they offer. The tendency is to grab generic stock photos; but those create disconnect, not trust. You may even end up seeing those very same stock photos on other sites, and when that happens, you stop appearing unique or standing apart from the sea of professionals in your zone.
Let’s deep dive into a better way to go about selecting your imagery and why it works.
4 Categories of Imagery
We could essentially break down imagery into 4 energetic categories.
A. Grounded & Earthy (for somatic healers, breathwork, trauma-informed practitioners)
Warm light
Natural textures
Feet on the ground, hands, nature close-ups
Soft greens, browns, terracottas
B. Feminine & Soft (for coaches, spiritual healers, intuitive guides)
Gentle florals
Flowing fabrics
Blurred light
Skin tones + pastels
C. Clean & Minimal (for therapists + wellness pros who want professionalism)
Negative space
Calm interior shots (but never sterile)
Subtle movement
Cool neutrals
D. Expansive & Energetic (for mindset coaches, manifestation, breathwork facilitators)
Open landscapes
Skies and water
Slow motion or movement images (think the ones that can look intentionally “blurry” or “streaky”)
Light streaks and golden light
Do you see yourself in any of the above groupings?
The “Aligned Imagery Test”
Want an easy way to run your images through a test to see if they are aligned for you? Here is a simple 3-step check:
Does this image match the emotion I want clients to feel when they work with me?
Does the photo feel grounded and authentic — or generic and cheesy?
Does the color temperature match my brand palette? (Warm vs. cool; think shadows or golden light)
5 Common Imagery Mistakes Wellness Brands Make
Mixing too many styles (some illustrative AI art thrown in with a black and white photograph of an ocean doesn’t promote consistency, which the nervous system is seeking)
Generic stock images (I love Pexels and Unsplash, but there are other lesser known photo websites such as Kaboom Pics that can be a great source that are worth a look)
Overly bright or sterile looking photos, can be jarring or even remind people of a doctor’s office
Photos that don’t match brand color palette
Using images with too many faces (faces dominate energy)
Examples of aligned vs misaligned images
Misaligned:
A bright cooler toned stock photo next to a much warmer one → breaks the vibe. It may not seem super obvious here, but it affects how cohesive someone’s nervous system may perceive your website to be overall.
Aligned:
We replace the above feather with one that has a warmer tone and it suddenly feels lighter and easier on the eyes and brain. Both images have a similar warm tone, subtle movement → feels like safety.
Website Templates Can Be a Helpful Tool
This is why each House of Poppy template includes carefully curated imagery aligned with the energy of wellness brands that value intentionality. You can use them yourself or take them as inspiration and find your own. Check out our templates here, to see carefully sourced imagery for great examples of websites that are calming and welcoming
Want even more help? You can work with me to choose imagery that feels like your brand, and transform your website today, not a year from now.
And be sure to download our FREE GUIDE to upgrading your website that includes 6 amazingly easy ways to take your pages to the next level!
