5 Signs a Landscaping Portfolio Isn’t Real

Top 5 Fake Landscaping Photo Signs

How to Tell if your Landscaper has a bogus portfolio

In today’s digital world, a beautiful landscaping portfolio can make or break a homeowner’s decision to hire a company. But what if the photos you’re seeing aren’t actually theirs? Unfortunately, some landscapers are using stolen images from the internet—photos of projects they never designed or built—to appear more experienced than they are.

At Earthworks Landscaping, we believe in transparency, craftsmanship, and integrity. This guide will help you spot fake landscaping photo signs so you can make confident decisions when hiring a professional.

Learn more about our custom hardscape design services.

Why This Matters

When a company misrepresents their capabilities, it hurts more than just their competition—it misleads homeowners, drains trust in the industry, and can lead to costly mistakes.

Homeowners deserve to know the difference between real work and borrowed work. Here’s how to tell if a portfolio is legit and recognize the warning signs of fake landscaping photo signs.

Explore our landscape design services to see authentic examples.

How to Spot Fake Landscaping Portfolios

A quick scan through a website or Facebook page can reveal a lot—if you know what to look for. These fake landscaping photo signs can help you protect your investment:

• No local landmarks, plants, or materials
  If nothing in the photos feels regionally familiar (like native plants or County Materials), it might not be local work.
• Stock photo vibes
  Perfect lighting, no weeds, and untouched patios can indicate catalog images, not real-life installs.
• No project descriptions or location references
  Authentic portfolios usually include a story, the homeowner’s goals, and where the project was completed.
• Mismatch between services and photos
  If a company only offers basic lawn care but is showing high-end outdoor kitchens and luxury hardscapes, be skeptical.
• Reverse image search results
  Use tools like Google Lens or TinEye to find the true source of an image. If it links to Pinterest or another builder’s site, it’s likely not theirs.

How to Run a Reverse Image Search

If you’re suspicious about a landscaping photo, you can check where it originally came from using Google’s reverse image search. It only takes a few seconds:

• Step 1: Go to images.google.com
• Step 2: Click the camera icon in the search bar
• Step 3: Choose “Upload an image” (if you saved the picture) or “Paste image URL” (if you copied the link)
• Step 4: Google will show you where else that image appears online—if it’s a Pinterest post or from another landscaper’s website, you’ll know it was lifted

This quick check is a powerful way to protect yourself from hiring a company that’s pretending to be something they’re not. Don’t fall for fake landscaping photo signs—know what to look for.

Why Homeowners Should Care

When you hire a landscaper based on work they didn’t actually do, you’re taking a risk. Their team may not have the skills, experience, or craftsmanship to deliver what’s promised. That could lead to:

• Design flaws
• Drainage issues
• Premature failure of patios or retaining walls
• Wasted time and budget

Hiring a team that fakes their portfolio is like choosing a restaurant based on pictures from someone else’s kitchen. Watch for fake landscaping photo signs to avoid costly regrets.

What a Real Landscaping Portfolio Should Include

Professional landscaping companies—like Earthworks—showcase only their own work and back it up with:

• Before and after images
• Detailed project breakdowns
• Client testimonials
• Consistent material use (like natural stone or County Materials)
• Local references or tagged locations

These elements are always present in authentic projects—not in portfolios filled with fake landscaping photo signs.

Our Promise to Clients

At Earthworks Landscaping, every photo on our website and social channels features our crew, our designs, and our craftsmanship. When you hire us, you get:

• Decades of experience serving River Falls, Hudson, Stillwater, and beyond
• Award-winning custom designs
• Premium materials and the best warranties in the region
• A no-BS commitment to quality, transparency, and results

No filters. No fakery. Just honest work that speaks for itself—no fake landscaping photo signs, ever.

Final Thoughts

Not every landscaping company plays by the rules—but you can still protect your home, your money, and your vision by asking the right questions.

If you’re unsure whether a landscaper’s portfolio is the real deal, we’re happy to offer a second opinion. You deserve to work with a team that’s as genuine as the spaces they create—and who never rely on fake landscaping photo signs to earn your trust.