The Best Sites for Free Stock Photos

A camera is a ‘save’ button for the mind’s eye. — Roger Kingston

Images are an essential tool in bringing online content to life, whether it’s a blog or website. In this short video, from Digital Splash Media, the concept of the picture superiority effect is explained, making an overwhelming case for the value of images.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=31&v=cLLDUyy8utY

Now we know the importance of adding images, we need to find the right ones. This, however, is a tougher challenge. Especially with many other businesses are trying to do the same thing. You want to find the right image to help your content stand out. So, here are some places you can visit to help you find the right image:

1. Take your own — Sounds obvious, I know. But your own image will then be unique. No-one else would have taken the exact same photo and you won’t have to worry about asking for rights to use it (as long as it’s something you’re allowed to capture in the first place).

2. Unsplash.com — There are some really beautiful images here. The photo in this post, taken Felix Russell-Saw, was found on Unsplash.

3. Pixabay.com — Over 1.4 million royalty stock photos and videos.

4. Pexels.com — If the first 3 options don’t work for you, then try this one too.

5. deathtothestockphoto.com — Unlike Unsplash, Pixabay, and Pexels, this site gives you it’s photos in packs which you can download from the site or have emailed to you each month.

6. Google — If you have to, Google images is an option. BUT YOU MUST CHANGE THE SETTINGS. Yes, I’m shouting because this is so important. Without it, you could end up with a letter from Getty Images (or someone else) charging you hundreds or thousands of pounds for using an unlicensed picture. I’ve seen this happen. Personally, I’d leave Google Images well alone, but if you must then after you searched for an image, click on “Tools” followed by “Labelled for Reuse”.

7. Flickr.com — Again, you’ll need to change the search filter to “Commercial use allowed”. Once you have, there’s a great selection of crowd sourced photos here too.

I’m sure there are many more of these, but these 7 are my favourite options.

Which is yours?

Where do you get your stock photos from?

Would love to know, so get in touch here or @edagoodman.