There are many websites that offer free stock photography, and these can be great resources for finding high-quality images. However, which ones are the best? Which allows you to use images in your web designs freely? And what makes the top sites stand out from the rest?
That’s what we venture to answer here today. We’ll be offering up 11 of the best places to find stock photography. But first, let’s discuss a few things you should keep in mind when browsing stock photography sites.
Tips for Using Stock Photo Sites
Before you start using stock photos, you should be aware of the following:
- Pay attention to the licensing agreement. Some stock photo sites require that you attribute the photographer whenever you use a photo, while others allow you to use the photos in any way you like. Make sure you know what the requirements are before you use a photo.
- Be mindful of resolution. Many stock photo sites offer high-resolution photos, but some only offer photos that are a few hundred pixels wide. If you’re planning on using a photo for print, make sure that it’s high resolution.
- Take advantage of search filters. Most stock photo sites have some sort of search filter that you can use to narrow down your results. This is especially helpful if you’re looking for a specific type of photo.
Now that you know what to keep in mind when using stock photo sites, let’s take a look at some of the best places to find free stock photography.
1. Unsplash
Unsplash is one of the most popular sources of free stock photos, and it offers a huge selection of images. The site adds 10 new photos every 10 days, and all of the images are high-resolution and royalty-free.
This stock photography site has a search function that makes it easy to find the perfect image for your needs. You can also browse the collection by category, and there are options for featured and popular photos.
2. Pexels
Have you ever needed an image for a project, but didn’t want to spend the time or money to buy one? If so, then Pexels is the website for you.
Pexels is a free stock photo website that has a huge selection of high-quality images. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful landscape photo or a cute picture of a cat, you’re sure to find what you need on Pexels.
And if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, you can always request an image from the Pexels team. So why not check out Pexels the next time you need an image for your project? You might just be surprised at how much you like it.
3. Pixabay
Pixabay is a great resource for free stock photos. With over 1.5 million royalty-free images, it’s a top choice for bloggers and small businesses looking to add professional-looking photos to their website or social media posts without breaking the bank. The site offers a wide range of images in various categories, making it easy to find the perfect photo to suit your needs.
And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can even request specific images from the Pixabay community. Whether you’re looking for photos of animals, nature scenes, or city landscapes, Pixabay is sure to have what you need.
4. FreeImages
FreeImages is a source of free stock photos, and it offers over 3 million royalty-free images. The site has a wide variety of images, and all of the photos are high-resolution.
This stock site is easy to use, and you can search for images by keyword or category.
5. MorgueFile
MorgueFile is a source of free stock photos, and it offers over 350,000 royalty-free images. The site has a wide variety of images, and all of the photos are high-resolution.
A quick browse of the site will also reveal that MorgueFile has a wide range of images, from nature scenes to city landscapes.
6. Flickr
Flickr is a photo sharing website that launched in 2004. It allows users to upload, share, and tag photos, as well as to join groups with like-minded photographers. One of the unique features of Flickr is the Creative Commons license. This allows users to specify how they want their photos to be used, such as for non-commercial purposes or with attribution.
As a result, Flickr has become a popular resource for bloggers and other content creators who are looking for high-quality photos to use in their work. In addition, many professional photographers use Flickr as a portfolio site to showcase their work and attract new clients. With its vast collection of images and flexible licensing options, Flickr is an essential resource for anyone who works with photos.
7. Public Domain Archive
Public Domain Archive is a source of free stock photos, and it offers over 1 million royalty-free images. Whether you’re working on a personal project or commercial venture, there’s something for everyone here.
8. Gratisography
If you’re looking for some high-quality, free stock photos, then you should definitely check out Gratisography. All of the photos on the site are taken by professional photographer Ryan McGuire, and they’re absolutely stunning.
Whether you need a photo of a skyline or a close-up of a flower, you’ll be sure to find it on Gratisography. And best of all, all of the photos are available for free – no strings attached. So if you need some inspiring images for your next project, be sure to head on over to Gratisography. You won’t be disappointed.
9. Picjumbo
Picjumbo is a website that offers free, high-resolution photos for personal and commercial use. The site was founded by designer and photographer Viktor Hanacek, who was frustrated by the lack of quality stock photos available online. Picjumbo offers a wide range of categories, including nature, architecture, food, and travel. In addition, the site regularly adds new photos, so there is always something fresh to choose from.
And best of all, Picjumbo’s photos are completely free to use – no attribution required. So whether you’re looking for that perfect image to complete your next design project or just need a little inspiration, be sure to check out Picjumbo.
10. Death to Stock
Death to Stock is a website that offers free, high-quality stock photos for personal or commercial use. The site was created by two photographers who were tired of seeing the same old stock photos being used over and over again.
Since its launch in 2014, Death to Stock has become one of the most popular sources for free stock photos. The site now has over 200,000 members and offers new photos every month.
While the website is free to join, users can also choose to pay a monthly fee to receive exclusive photos and access to a photo library. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just looking for some stylish photos for your blog, Death to Stock is definitely worth checking out.
11. Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons is a digital media repository that anyone can contribute to. It’s a project of the Wikimedia Foundation, which also operates Wikipedia. Like Wikipedia, Commons is free to use. It contains approximately 40 million media files, making it one of the largest online collections of free media. The vast majority of these files are photos, but there are also videos, sound files, and other types of media.
Many of the files on Commons are in the public domain, which means that anyone can use them for any purpose. However, some files are licensed under Creative Commons or other licenses that allow for reuse with certain restrictions. If you’re looking for high-quality, free media to use in your next project, Wikimedia Commons is a great place to start.
Finding Creative and Free Stock Photography Doesn’t Have to Be a Challenge
Now that you know where to find free stock photography, you can save yourself a lot of time and money. With so many great resources available, there’s no excuse to use low-quality or copyrighted photos. So go ahead and start looking for your next eye-catching images for blog posts, social media, or whatever else you’re working on.