Are you looking for the perfect image to make your website, blog post, social media ad or presentation look instantly awesome?
The search stops here!
We’ve compiled a list of the very best free stock photos on the web – and no, not just the generic images you find when you Google “free images.”
It can be tough to find great photos without breaking the bank – and let’s face it, who has time to waste searching through Google Images? To make things easier, we’ve found some gems that will make your visuals really stand out.
Rank | Website | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | pswish.com | Offers exclusive and inspiring artistic photo shots absolutely free. Ideal for people who look creative, non ordinary and high resolution illustrations. |
2 | unsplash.com | High-resolution photos with a broad range of subjects, free for personal and commercial use |
3 | pexels.com | Wide variety of free stock photos and videos, available for personal and commercial use |
4 | pixabay.com | Offers a huge collection of free images, vectors, and illustrations for personal and commercial projects |
5 | burst.shopify.com | High-quality, royalty-free images curated by Shopify, suitable for various industries |
6 | gratisography.com | Unique and quirky collection of high-resolution images, free for personal and commercial use |
7 | freepik.com | Provides free vectors, photos, and PSD files for personal and commercial use |
8 | stockvault.net | A community-driven platform offering free images, textures, and illustrations |
9 | libreshot.com | A collection of artistic and unique images, available for personal and commercial use |
10 | picjumbo.com | Features a diverse range of high-quality images for personal and commercial projects |
From riverside sunsets to vintage illustrations and everything in between, our list of free stock photos will have what you need to create stunning visuals without spending a dime. Read on to learn where to find stylish and unique images that won’t cost you a penny.
Overview of Free Stock Photo Sites
When it comes to finding free stock photos, the internet is like a never-ending buffet. You’ve got your all-you-can-devour smorgasbord of sites, featuring anything from food images to abstract backgrounds. It’s a veritable feast of visual goodness!
The only problem? It can be tough to figure out which sites serve up the best quality stuff. Fear not – we’ve done the hard work for you and scoured the web for the most dependable sources of free stock photos. After extensive testing and taste-testing (yes, that’s a thing), we’ve created a comprehensive list showcasing the top sites with images that will make your blog, website or brand look downright delicious!
We have some important criteria when it comes to our picks: all stock photo sites must have high-resolution images, generous licensing policies, easy searchability and an intuitive user interface. With these criteria in mind, let’s tuck into some of the best free stock photo sites on the web!
Creative Commons & Copyright Laws
If you want to download free stock photos, you need to make sure that you are aware of any copyright laws that apply. That’s because the usual rules still apply. If you’re found stealing someone else’s creations, it won’t matter how much money was exchanged – you can still face a lawsuit! Luckily, there are ways to get around these legal issues.
The first is by using Creative Commons licenses. These protects the artist’s rights while allowing others to use their work without infringing on any copyright laws. It’s like a literal playground for creatives – just make sure to check the individual license before downloading and using any content!
The second way is to use public domain images. These are essentially images and artwork that have been released into the public domain – meaning, they’re free for anyone and everyone to use without worrying about copyright infringement.
So if you’re looking for a way to get some good content without having to worry about the legality of it all, make sure to check out both options when downloading free stock photos from the web!
Free Stock Photos for Commercial Use
When it comes to free stock photos, you want to make sure the images you use are legally allowed for commercial use. After all, you don’t want to get sued for taking someone’s photos without asking for permission!
Fortunately, there are plenty of websites out there that offer free stock photos for commercial use. Here’s a handy list of some of the best:
PSwish
Over 1000 of amazingly artistic images, free for personal and commercial use. The site is constantly updated and includes a blog with articles to help grow your business.
Unsplash
Unsplash offers over 800,000 free high-resolution photos from some of the world’s best photographers. You’re sure to find something great here! Plus, all photos on Unsplash are licensed under Creative Commons Zero (CCO) which means they can be used for any purpose—even commercially.
Pexels
Pexels has a great selection of high-quality stock photos and videos – with over 200,000 images and videos in their library. All Pexels content is released under the Creative Commons Zero (CCO) license, so you can legally use them in your projects.
Pixabay
Pixabay is an amazing source of royalty-free stock images and videos that have been carefully curated by their community. All content on Pixabay is licensed under the Creative Commons Zero (CCO) license – so it’s completely free and legal to use!
With these three websites at your disposal, you’ll never be short of free stock photos for commercial use again!
Creative Coding and Free Stock Images
If you thought you had to shell out a ton of cash to get the best stock images on the web, guess again! Believe it or not, you can get mind-blowingly awesome photos without breaking the bank. How? By tapping into the power of Creative Coding and Free Stock Images.
No matter what project or goal you have, Creative Coding and Free Stock Images is your answer. From minimalist visuals to abstract art and from flat designs to vintage effects—you’ll find them all here. And with a little imagination and coding know-how, these images will take your designs up a notch!
But where exactly should you look? Here are some of the best sources for free stock images:
- Unsplash – Unsplash’s library of high-res photos has everything from nature scenes to urban skylines that is perfect for any design project.
- Pixabay – If illustrations are what you’re looking for, then Pixabay has an amazing selection of millions of vectors, icons, and illustrations in its arsenal.
- Pexels – With its huge collection of free stock photos (over 70,000!), Pexels allows you to easily search for whatever image fits your project best quickly and painlessly.
- StockSnap – Find beautiful landscape shots, nature scenes, cityscapes, abstract art or any other imagery that’ll transform your project with StockSnap’s incredible library of high-res images.
- Canva – Not sure what kind of photo would work best for your project? Let Canva’s AI-powered photo search engine help you pick the perfect
Tips for Optimizing Free Stock Photos
Finding the best free stock photos on the web can be a bit like panning for gold—it takes skill, patience, and a lot of luck. But don’t worry, you can make your own luck with some easy-to-follow tips for optimizing your search.
First, start off by casting your net wide. Don’t limit yourself to just one website; using multiple platforms can give you a better chance of finding just what you’re looking for.
Second, think outside the box—literally. Some of the best free stock photos are hidden away in unconventional places. Look beyond standard image libraries, like Flickr and Google Images, and explore less traditional sources such as MorgueFile or Unsplash.
Third, remember that good quality doesn’t necessarily mean good resolution. You don’t have to go for high-resolution images to get stunning results—just make sure whatever photo you choose fits with the overall esthetic of your project.
Finally, pay attention to copyright! Not all free stock photos are truly free—some require attribution or have restrictions around commercial use. So take a few minutes to double check whatever website or picture you’re downloading from before committing to it.
With these tips in mind, nothing should stand between you and that perfect photo!
Key Considerations When Choosing a Free Stock Photo
Finding the best free stock photos can be a tricky task. But the good news is that there are some key things to look for that can help you make an informed decision. So, if you’re looking for the perfect free stock photo, here’s what you should consider:
Type of Image
Do you need landscape, portraits, or product images? Make sure that the site you’re relying on has a wide selection of image types to choose from so you’ll always find just what you need.
Usage Rights
It pays to understand who owns the image’s copyright—meaning who controls how it’s used. That way, you can make sure your intended use is allowed by checking out the license agreement associated with each photo.
Quality
No one likes pixelated photos or ones with visible watermarks. The higher quality images will usually require a subscription or purchase of some kind—but luckily there are plenty of high-quality free options out there too! Just take your time and check previews before downloading them.
And most importantly, don’t forget to use sites that have strict filtering policies in place to guarantee the safety and reliability of your images. After all, no one wants to download plagiarized images or ones with copyrighted logos or artwork!
How to Use Stock Photos Legally (And Avoid Common Mistakes)?
Navigating the murky waters of copyright laws and usage rights can be as risky as playing hopscotch on a minefield. But fear not, my intrepid friend, for I shall be your guide through this legal labyrinth, ensuring you remain on the right side of the law and avoid those pesky common mistakes.
- Know your licenses: Not all stock photos are created equal. Some come with a royalty-free (RF) license, allowing you to use the image multiple times without incurring additional fees. Others have a rights-managed (RM) license, which dictates specific usage terms like duration, location, and purpose. Moral of the story? Read the fine print and understand the license before using any stock photo.
- Creative Commons: Creative Commons (CC) licenses are a godsend for those seeking free-to-use images. However, each CC license has its own set of rules (e.g., CC0 for public domain, CC BY for attribution). So, channel your inner lawyer and familiarize yourself with the terms before incorporating a CC-licensed image into your work.
- Give credit where credit is due: Some licenses require attribution to the original creator. Failure to do so can land you in hot water. Avoid a potential lawsuit by always crediting the photographer as specified in the license.
- Beware of identifiable people and trademarks: Just because you have the right to use a stock photo doesn’t mean you have the right to use every element within it. Recognizable people may require a model release, and trademarks, logos, or copyrighted works could be subject to additional restrictions. When in doubt, play it safe and choose an image without any potential legal pitfalls.
- Keep your edits in check: Transforming a stock photo into your own unique vision is an art, but overzealous editing could violate the original license. Always double-check the terms to ensure your creative masterpiece doesn’t infringe on the photographer’s rights.
- Avoid the clichés: We’ve all seen them – the painfully overused stock photos that make us cringe. Be original and avoid the common mistakes of choosing images that scream “stock photo.” Your audience will thank you for it.
- Keep records: In the unlikely event that you face a copyright claim, having proof of your license and usage rights can save the day. Be diligent and maintain a record of your stock photo licenses and any associated documentation.
By adhering to these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to using stock photos legally and avoiding the common pitfalls that could turn your creative dreams into a copyright nightmare. Remember, with great power (and a vast array of stock images) comes great responsibility – use them wisely!
Conclusion
So if you’re in the market for free stock photos that won’t break the bank – or your copyright agreements – then look no further. Now you’ve got all the information you need to get the very best free stock photos on the web. As they say: with great power comes great responsibility, so be sure to play it safe and use royalty-free stock images whenever you need a photo for your project.
After all, the last thing you need is an angry photographer banging down your door looking for royalties!