High-quality images are essential for creating engaging content, whether for blogs, websites, social media, or marketing materials. If you're just starting out using styled stock photography, there are numerous platforms where you can find high-quality, free stock photos to use in your projects.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore where to find the best free stock photos, provide tips on how to select the right images, and share best practices for using them effectively. From well-known stock photo websites to lesser-known gems, this post will help you find the perfect visuals to enhance your content.
The Best Free Stock Photos
What are free stock photos?
Free stock photos are images that have been shared on websites for free use. You can download these images and use for all sorts of things - blog posts, social media and marketing products.
Where can I get free images for my blog?
There are lots of different websites where you can download free images for your blog or website. Following are the websites with the best free photos:
1. Pixabay
Pixabay is one of the first free photo sites I landed on and I found so many images there. Search for anything and you'll find high quality photos to use for free in any commercial projects. They offer a vast collection of free stock photos, illustrations, vector graphics, and videos. It’s a versatile platform suitable for various types of visual content.
2. Pexels
Pexels has become my favourite free photo site and I think it's one of the best due to the talented photographers who so generously contribute to it. I love visiting their Photographer Leaderboard page to see what the most popular photos and photographers are, and that's where I've found a few photographers that I keep checking back on because I love their work.
3. Unsplash
Unsplash is a popular platform known for its vast collection of high-resolution, royalty-free photos. With a user-friendly interface and a robust search functionality, it’s an excellent resource for finding stunning images across various categories.
4. Visual Hunt
Visual Hunt has a very similar mix of free photos as Pixabay and Pexels. They do have the option to search by color, but I find the best way to find the best images is to type in a keyword into the search bar, such as 'Desk' and they will show you the most relevant, quality images.
5. Stock Snap
Stock Snap has a really cute variety of images, especially if you search for the word 'pink'. There's lots of stationery, notebooks, coffee and desktops.
6. Ivory Mix
Ivory Mix has 350+ free photos to give you if you sign up to their mailing list. Absolutely perfect for blogging, the photos you can download are girly, fun and will add personality to your posts. There's desktops, coffee, home decor, flowers, notebooks and other lifestyle displays.
7. Creative Convex
Creative Convex is offering a free high resolution, floral inspired pack of photos. These are mixing clean white backgrounds with beautiful bright florals.
8. Skitter Photo
Skitter Photo doesn't have as many photos as some of the other stock photo sites however if you search for flowers, pink or fashion you might find a few that catch your eye.
9. Stokpic
Stokpic has a lot of great images for travel, adventure, summer and lifestyle related topics.
10. SC Stockshop
SC Stockshop sells absolutely incredible images for your blog and they also have a little freebie pack of 20 styled stock photos to give you if you join their list. Definitely worth it!
11. PicJumbo
PicJumbo has some really great quality photographs, especially fashion and beauty related, with the ability to purchase full photo packs if you like what you see.
12. Styled Stock
Styled Stock has a huge selection of free desktops, tech mockups and lifestyle shots, all minimal and clean in style.
Tips for Choosing the Best Free Stock Photos
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Consider Your Brand Identity: Choose images that align with your brand’s identity and message. Look for photos that reflect your brand’s tone and style.
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Ensure High Resolution: Opt for high-resolution images to ensure they look professional and crisp in your content.
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Check Licensing and Attribution: Although many free stock photos don’t require attribution, it’s essential to check licensing details to avoid any legal issues.
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Use Relevant Keywords: When searching for photos, use specific keywords to find images that match your content’s theme and purpose.
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Explore Collections and Curated Lists: Many platforms offer curated collections that can save time and help you find themed images quickly.
Where to find unique stock photography?
Finding high-quality free stock photos can significantly enhance your content, whether for personal projects or professional use. By leveraging platforms like Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay, and others, you can access a vast array of images that cater to various needs and styles. Use the tips and resources provided in this guide to find and effectively use free stock photos that elevate your content and resonate with your audience.
With the right images, your content will not only look more engaging but also help convey your message more effectively. Explore these platforms, download the images that best fit your needs, and watch your projects come to life with stunning visuals.
