September 2024
Today we’re diving into how cohesive and professional-looking images can make or break your business’s perception, and where you can source them at no cost. Don’t let a mismatched image hold you back. Whether you’re updating your website, creating social posts, or sprucing up your presentations, our resources have you covered.
A picture says a thousand words. Strong branding is all about your image—not just a single logo, but the overall vibe your business projects. If you present yourself as a high-end business but use cheap-looking images, potential customers might walk away feeling confused. Customers looking for quality products are naturally drawn to quality images.
Photography has always played a vital role in design. However, we’ve all encountered those clichéd stock images of overly cheerful people posing in a boardroom. Cringe! Nothing beats the quality of a professional photographer, but with the ever-increasing demand for content, engaging one isn’t always practical. While authentic images created by your business are always preferred, thankfully, there’s a wealth of websites offering beautiful stock photography that can help elevate your brand without costing a cent.
Here’s our curated list of 20 awesome websites for free stock photos that can help your business shine:
1. Unsplash
Website: unsplash.com
A treasure trove of high-resolution free photography, Unsplash features a great search function and a wide variety of stunning images, from breathtaking landscapes to quirky, artistic shots.
2. Pexels
Website: pexels.com
Another great resource for high-res free photos. Searching for photos by subject, colours or mood is easy. Plus, their selection is huge, ensuring fresh options for your projects.
3. Canva
Website: canva.com
Not just for graphics, Canva boasts a vast library of free photos and templates, making it easy to create eye-catching visuals for any platform. Unlike the other sites listed here, you can’t simply find an image and download it. You’ll need to create a project first, which requires setting up an account. This approach gives you greater control over dimensions and allows you to edit photos, but you’ll need to be familiar with Canva’s tools to get the most out of it.
4. Pixabay
Website: pixabay.com
An international community of photographers and illustrators, Pixabay provides access to Over 5 million+ high-quality stock images, with an easy search functionality.
5. Burst
Website: burst.shopify.com
Designed specifically for entrepreneurs, Burst is Shopify’s stock image offering. It features a wide selection of free images that can help elevate your brand’s visual appeal.
6. Free Images
Website: freeimages.com
Free Images is a great resource for finding diverse images to fit any theme. It features vectors, illustrations, clipart, icons and Photoshop files too.
7. Pikwizard
Website: pikwizard.com
Pikwizard boasts a collection of over 1 million stock images and videos, many of which are unique and free to use.
8. Life of Pix
Website: lifeofpix.com
This site features free high-resolution photos contributed by a network of photographers, offering an impressively wide array of imagery. Great navigation and search power too.
9. Gratisography
Website: gratisography.com
Known for its quirky and fun images, Gratisography provides a unique collection that stands out from typical stock photos. The cool cat featured in this blog was sourced from Gratisography!
10. NegativeSpace
Website: negativespace.co
Offering a solid range of free stock photos, NegativeSpace is great for finding images that fit your specific needs.
11. Rawpixel
Website: rawpixel.com
Known for its unique and diverse collections, Rawpixel provides high-quality images that are free to use. Just make sure you’re in the free section via the top navigation.
12. Styled Stock
Website: styledstock.co
Aimed at female entrepreneurs, Styled Stock offers feminine stock photos perfect for various projects.
13. StockVault
Website: stockvault.net
This platform hosts a collection of free images shared by photographers, offering a range of subjects and styles.
14. PicJumbo
Website: picjumbo.com
PicJumbo provides high-resolution photos for free, with new images added daily to keep your content fresh.
15. Freerange
Website: freerangestock.com
Freerange Stock offers a wide selection of free images for commercial and non-commercial use, ensuring quality without the cost.
16. Kaboompics
Website: kaboompics.com
A popular site for lifestyle and interior design photos, Kaboompics offers a wide range of free images that are both stylish and practical.
17. FoodiesFeed
Website: foodiesfeed.com
Perfect for food bloggers and restaurants, FoodiesFeed provides stunning food photography that will make your mouth water.
18. Startup Stock Photos
Website: startupstockphotos.com
Focused on startup culture, this site provides a variety of free images that capture the essence of entrepreneurship.
19. StockSnap.io
Website: stocksnap.io
StockSnap features a vast library of high-quality images added weekly, all under a Creative Commons license.
20. ISO Republic
Website: isorepublic.com
With a focus on high-quality imagery, ISO Republic offers a wide range of free stock photos for personal and commercial use.
With this list at your fingertips, you have plenty of options to avoid using boring (or embarrassing!) stock images for your business. Whether you choose authentic, candid photography or polished stock photos, keep in mind that the right images can significantly elevate your brand’s message and appeal. While nothing compares to the expertise of a professional photographer, the rising demand for content can make it challenging to rely on their services. So, dive into these resources and discover the perfect images for your needs. Happy searching!
Written by: Rosie Lorimer / Inspired by: evolution / Image credits: gratisography