Not every project budget allows for images from Shutterstock, and there’s often no time for custom photography. In such cases, the best solution is to search for images on free stock photo websites. Here, we’ve curated a list of the best platforms for free images.
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Pixabay
Pixabay offers over a million images, making it one of the best free stock photo websites. You can freely use and edit materials from the site for your projects. Although the site is available in Russian, the search function works more effectively when using English keywords.
Free Images
A popular project with over 300,000 images available for free download. Unlike other free stock photo sites, registration is required to download images.
Stockvault
A project created by professional photographers, designers, and students to provide high-quality images. The site currently hosts over 130,000 images available for free use. You can also support the project through sponsorship.
Pexels
Images from Pexels can be used for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. Editing and using images for retouching or collages is allowed. A unique feature is the ready-made user collections, which are helpful for creating mood boards or finding references.
Unsplash
Unsplash offers excellent thematic collections, making it a great resource for quickly creating designs for events or holidays.
Life of Pix
Life of Pix stands out with its video content. The site also features a list of contributing photographers, allowing users to seek advice or learn more about their work.
ISO Republic
This project by UK-based photographer and designer Tom Eversley offers high-quality professional photos and videos for free download. Higher-quality files can be purchased from Shutterstock using a discount code found on the site.
Creative Commons
This is not just a photo bank but a search engine for free stock photos under the Creative Commons license, which allows free download, use, and editing of images. While the site’s design and stability may not be perfect, it’s a valuable resource.
Startup Stock Photos
This site was created for tech startups and their owners, offering a great collection of high-quality images. The only downside is occasional slow loading times.
55mm
This site offers a large collection of high-quality images but lacks an effective search function, so be prepared to spend time browsing. The free collection is created in collaboration with the Academy of Photography, making it a great resource for aspiring photographers.
Picography
Picography has a smaller collection, but the available images are noteworthy. The license allows for versatile use, and the site also offers categorized collections.
Freerange Stock
Freerange Stock offers tens of thousands of images for commercial use and allows downloading images in specific sizes. Registration is required.
Gratisography
Gratisography features unique and quirky images, especially in the realm of human photography. No registration is needed to download images.
New Old Stock
New Old Stock is perfect for designers seeking high-quality vintage photos. The images are truly unique and worth exploring.
PicJumbo
PicJumbo is a great photo bank with one major drawback: no search function. Instead, it offers various categories and collections. While not always convenient, it’s worth exploring if time permits.
Pickupimage
If you need images from specific locations or beautiful landscapes, Pickupimage is a great resource. The site offers search functionality, but browsing by tags linked to specific countries can be more effective.
Travel Coffee Book
A fantastic travel-themed project created by photographers. Visit for stunning views or to find atmospheric images.
Kaboompics
A great free stock photo site with a clean and beautiful design. The site’s creator, Karolina, is a professional photographer who has shared over 10,000 images. She also runs a blog on design and photography, accessible on the site.
DesignersPics
All images on this free stock photo site are created by professional photographer Jeshu John. You can search for photos or browse through categories. New photos are added weekly.
Foodiesfeed
An excellent collection of food and culinary-themed photos. All images are free to download, though the collection currently includes only 1,200 images.
Jéshoots
Jan Vasek’s project offers numerous images for commercial use, along with mockups for mobile design presentations and themed photo collections. The site also features a paid section, but the prices are reasonable compared to other photo banks.
Magdeleine
A photo bank with stunning landscape images. All images are free to download, though some require attribution.
Free Stock Images
Another Russian-language service in our list, offering a large number of high-quality images categorized for easy browsing. The downside is the lack of a search function and subpar navigation.
StockSnap
A free stock photo site for designers that competes with the most popular services. It offers a vast collection, convenient search, clear categorization, and various sorting options.
MTT
A user-friendly site with a large collection of free images. You can search by theme, orientation, or even background color. While there’s no subscription option, you can support the project in other ways.
Reshot
Reshot surprises with its unique collection of images rarely found on other free stock photo sites. It’s perfect if you’re tired of the repetitive images found elsewhere.
Conclusion
In a world where visual storytelling is more important than ever, free stock photo websites have become invaluable tools for designers, marketers, and creators. They not only save time and money but also open up endless creative possibilities. Whether you’re crafting a mood board, designing a website, or simply looking for inspiration, these platforms offer a treasure trove of high-quality images to bring your ideas to life.
But remember, the true magic lies not just in finding the perfect photo but in how you use it. Pairing these resources with your unique creativity and design skills can transform ordinary projects into extraordinary ones. So, dive into these platforms, explore their collections, and let your imagination run wild. After all, the best designs are born when great tools meet even greater vision. Happy creating!
