The Best Stock Photo Sites: A Guide to Finding High-Quality Stock Photos for Your Creative Needs
Finding the perfect stock photos can be a game-changer for your brand. This is your ultimate guide to discovering the best stock photo resources available.
What are stock photo sites?
Stock photo sites provide high-quality photos for individuals, businesses, and creatives.
These websites are a marketplace for photographers and contributors to showcase their work. Users can browse, select, and download images based on their licensing needs.
Stock photo websites offer a diverse range of images. They include a variety of themes, styles, and subjects. They typically categorize their content. This makes it easier to find exactly what you need.
Stock photos are great for website design, marketing materials, social media posts, etc..
Some sites have the option to choose between free and premium content. Premium images usually require a one-time payment or a subscription fee.
Licensing terms vary. It’s important to understand and follow the specific usage rights for each website.
What are the benefits of using stock photos?
Save money
Stock photos provide a cost-effective solution. Eliminating the need to hire a photographer. They give you access to a wide range of high-quality visuals.
Diversity
Stock photo libraries include diverse collections. These cater to a wide range of themes and industries. This helps businesses find images that align with their brand identity and messaging.
Save time
Stock photos can be instantly downloaded. This speeds up the time it takes for content creation and marketing campaigns.
Create more content
Stock photos allow businesses to maintain a professional aesthetic. Even if they lack in-house photography resources. This enables them to create more content for their brand.
So where do I find good stock photo resources online?
Here’s a list of my favorite stock photography websites. These include both free and paid stock photography sites.
Free
1. Unsplash.com
Unsplash is my go to resource for free stock photos. They have some incredibly talented photographers who share their work. I have put together some curated collections with some of my favorites.
2. Pexels.com
Pexels offers high quality images as well as video (perfect for creating reels, your website and more).
3. Pixabay.com
Pixabay has over 4.3 million+ high quality stock images, videos and music.
4. Freepik.com
Freepik has high quality photos, videos, vectors, PSD, AI images and icons.
Burst has over 20,000 online images. They organize the photos by collections like around the world, work from home, mental health and more.
6. 123rf.com
123rf offers both free and paid stock images. The site also has the option to download the images at preselected sizes for facebook, instagram, pinterest and more.
7 . Stocksnap.io
Great source for free stock photos. Browse and download thousands of copyright-free stock images. No attribution required.
Realistic shots.com features real life free stock photos (high resolution) for personal and commercial use. They add 7 new photos every week. Categories include: Architecture, Nature, People, Travel and Technology.
Startup Stock Photos are free startup, office, and tech stock pictures ready for your next project.
10. Kaboompics.com
Kaboom pics features a wide variety of free stock photos. Categories include: lifestyle, nature, food, & drink, urban, people, technology, things, animals, business & office, beauty & fashion and more.
Paid
Haute Stock helps you build a polished brand with professional styled stock photos. I’ve had a subscription for over four years now. I’m always finding fresh new imagery. They’re always adding new collections. Their imagery feels fresh and modern. They also have great mock-ups.
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Moyo Studio is my go to resource when I need high quality, beautiful mockups. They have printed mockups like business cards and frames. They also have device mockups like phones, laptops and websites. The images are timeless and minimal.
Use this code to save 15% off your first order. (Affiliate code)
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Adobe Stock has over 100 million photos and graphics that can be integrated into your adobe creative cloud apps. They offer a 30 day free trial.
Elevae Visuals formerly known as social squares. With a Gallery of over 7,000 images, and over 350 videos, Elevae visuals has stock images for writers, content creators, photographers, wellness experts, interior designers, coaches and more. Their images are used by creators like The Everygirl, Jenna Kutcher, Marie Forleo and more.
5. Stocksy.com
Stocksy is a highly curated stock photo site that features images from artists and photographers all over the world. The images are distinct and beautiful which sets them apart from other stock photo sites.
They are an artist-owned cooperative which means they ensure their shareholder artists receive fair pay — 50%-75% of all licenses.
They have an option on their site to search for similar visual and conceptual images. They also have the option to download comps of images before you buy to ensure the images will work for your needs.
6. Editorial Stock Images (affiliate link)
Editorial stock images has 1000’s of unique, high quality stock images, videos and mock-ups.
You can join the membership or purchase images individually. You can also download 20 free images to try out before you buy.
7. Getty Images
Getty Images provides an extensive collection of royalty-free stock photos, vectors, and illustrations for various creative needs. With a library of over 477 million assets. Getty images targets three markets—creative professionals, the media, and corporate.
She Bold stock is a monthly membership that includes over 6,000+ stock photos and 100+ Stock Videos. Choose between neutral, colorful, and/or feminine collections or single images. Membership also includes over 1,000 social media templates, lead magnet templates and content calendar.
9. Altier 21
Altier 21 has over 5,000 stock images that range lifestyle to business-themed. The library is updated with new images every month.
10. Stocklane
Stocklane is a boutique style stock photo membership which features a small, carefully curated group of stock photo collections. The “capsule collection” images are updated every month to accommodate different needs and seasons.
I would not recommend using stock photography exclusively. Custom brand photography can provide several advantages including authenticity, brand differentiation and consistency.
You don’t have to have a custom photo shoot every month or spend thousands of dollars on photography. Incorporating stock photos will provide a large variety of images to use.
Stock photos help brands look more professional. Without the need for a big budget or photography skills. Whether you’re just starting out, or you’ve been in business for a while, stock photos can help expand your resources.
Hi, I'm Cindy. I'm a branding expert who is passionate about health and wellness.
I’m here to help you build a brand you delight in, save you time and add more joy to your business.
