This list was updated in 2021 to reflect some changes.
Hello, this is an odd blog post. I’m not teaching anything to anyone here. This article aims to share the best resources for free stock photo pictures you can use for commercial use. Basically, we are *all* wondering about this stuff. But before you dive-in, make sure to read up on the rules, regulations and best practices when it comes to using stock photos.
Let me introduce you to a list made by a pro in the field that I have improved over time. If need to know exactly what I do, and where I do it, check me out. If not, just dive in to look at these awesome sources of stock photos.
The most famous sites to get free images for commercial use
- https://unsplash.com/ I wasn’t sold on Unsplash until they made my life much easier. I installed a free Google Slides add-on that loads up Unsplash in a panel while I work. This means that I always find the perfect image to go in my slide in a few clicks.
- https://pixabay.com/ This is another famous one that I use once in a while. I can’t say why it’s amazing because, well, I don’t really know. Let me know if you love this site and tell me why. That way I can update this section.
- https://www.pexels.com/ : I think that the reason why I like this website is that they aggregate photos from different places, including Gratisography.
- https://www.gratisography.com/ This is hands down my favorite source. Their whimsical section is what I dream of!
- http://picjumbo.com/
- https://burst.shopify.com/
- http://kaboompics.com/
- https://travelcoffeebook.com/
Stockphoto websites to find images for commercial use
- https://foodiesfeed.com/: food obsessed? Come here!
- http://startupstockphotos.com/: startups are covered!
- http://deathtothestockphoto.com/: tired of stockphotos…you’re not alone.
- https://photos.icons8.com/: LOVE this company. They are awesome. Give them a try.
- https://styledstock.co/: feminine stock photos is the niche for this website.
- http://fancycrave.com/: need travel pics?
Free vintage photos (pre-selfie era images)
Just look at the picture I found on the New Old Stock website. These are legit astronauts doing a pretty memorable (not going to say epic) pool landing. Historic backyard fun moments no?
Sometimes we can feel nostalgic. These websites are for the rebels who don’t believe in vintage Instagram filters. If you are nostalgic for the bygone days of old school photography, check out these websites:
- http://epicantus.tumblr.com/
- http://jaymantri.com/
- http://www.stockvault.net/
- http://littlevisuals.co/
- http://mmtstock.com/
- http://www.imcreator.com/free
- https://www.lifeofpix.com/
- http://isorepublic.com/
Bonus : Desygner
Desygner is a design tool for content creation, where you can use images on your designs or on thousands of pre-designed templates that you can get for free. Free images and design together? You need Desygner. How do I know this? Well, I got to take a look at their dachshund images for one of my projects. This is absolutely what I need for my dog blog. I am sure you have more serious corporate projects that could benefit from their huge bank of images.
Other websites that offer pretty cool pictures free for commercial use
- https://picography.co/
- https://jeshoots.com/
- http://www.lifeofpix.com/
- https://morguefile.com/
- http://www.splitshire.com/
- https://freestocks.org/
- http://negativespace.co/
- http://getrefe.com/downloads/category/free/
- https://stocksnap.io/
- https://freerangestock.com/
- https://libreshot.com/
- http://cupcake.nilssonlee.se/
- https://barnimages.com/
- http://streetwill.co/
- https://realisticshots.com/
- http://www.designerspics.com/
- https://moveast.me/
- https://magdeleine.co/
- https://www.titania-foto.com/
- https://freenaturestock.com/
- https://www.bucketlistly.blog/photos
Free Stock Video Websites
- https://www.videvo.net/
- https://www.nps.gov/media/multimedia-search.htm
- https://vimeo.com/creativecommons
- https://www.pexels.com/videos/ : I used a few of their videos for hilarious YouTube videos.
- https://coverr.co/
- https://www.veed.io/videos : full disclosure, I plan on using their videos to make animated gifs this year.
Free Sound Clips
Negative Space
Stokpic
10 new photos sent to your inbox every 2 weeks. Sounds like a great deal!