TeamDid you know that images are vital components of grasping our attention? As pictures are worth a thousand words, they pass across messages that a text struggles to achieve. According to the Social Science Research Network, 65% of people are visual learners, meaning that they learn better with the incorporation of some images.
It is important to therefore incorporate images on your websites, social media posts and other articles. Today, almost all the images captured in the last 20-30 years have been copyrighted. However, you can still create your own images for official use. Since this is usually expensive, there are numerous websites that host free stock images.
Free stock images are a great way to engage readers, cheer up your blog post, and boost your brand image. Websites collect these stock images from artists and photographers who have permitted their use. So, are you a content marketer, a blogger, or any other social media enthusiast? Ensure to pick from these sites suitable high-quality images to brighten your posts.
Here are 5 websites that promote free stock images.
1. Unsplash
What can you do with over 850,000 high-resolution images? All obtained from expert photographers and talented media creators? Unsplash is the go-to place. Visit Unsplash, and you’ll discover that there’s no need to pay for a picture. Why? Because it has unquestionably the best free stock photos even compared to other paid photo websites.
The good news is that Unsplash adds new photos to their gallery every day. Companies like Invision and Medium are also using these images. So, if this is your choice, the chances are you’re on the right platform, and you won’t miss a free stock image from this website.
2. Pixabay
Yet another fantastic website to download free stock images. Pixabay has its pictures licensed under Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You have the freedom to enjoy all its stock images without having permission nor even attributing them to the photographer. Though, it’s always good to give credit where it deserves.
However, Pixabay has its rules and guidelines that users must adhere, Pixabay:
- Warns against redistributing its videos and images to other stock sites.
- Warns against selling its exact images as posters, prints, or as other physical products.
- Cautions on malicious exposure of individuals in the pictures.
- Advises against creating misleading associations with an identifiable business or service, for instance, placing Nike together with your own brand to make a false impression of Nike recommending your product.
3. Gratisography
Do you want a website that prides itself on being the eccentric collectors of unique and quality free stock images? Then, Gratisography is your home. Besides the fact that it has fewer stock images compared to Unsplash, its photos are unique and seem less “stocky”.
Any photographer who wants to make it to their submission needs to have purely “stimulating” images. You can do almost anything with these images. Adapt and adjust the photos as you please, and even get salaried for any work you include in improving the free stock images. Additionally, Gratisography images can be used for:
- Promotion campaigns.
- Adding to your logo or text to an image.
- Books and magazine printing.
- Websites, and blogs but not making them the merchandise itself.
However, before using them, it’s good to know their do’s and don’ts to avoid being listed on their bad books. Gratisography discourages redistributing their free stock images to other sites. You also can’t claim to own them nor use them for any illegal and pornographic purposes.
4. Pexels
A great place to get fantastic images is Pexel. With hundreds to thousands of free stock images, you’ll never miss one for your blog post. Pexels amasses its pictures from websites of its own kind, such as Little Visuals, Pixabay amongst others. Pexel ensures you have access to quality images.
With its license, Pexel allows modification of photos to your suitability without attribution. On the other side, it discourages users from endorsing products with the images and selling them.
5. Canva
Famous for online graphic design tools and free stock images is Canva. You can customize its pictures to use on social media and blog posts. In addition, it allows you to use its stock images, music, and videos for free for commercial and non-commercial use.
Similar to other websites, Canva discourages users from selling, redistributing, and endorsing products with the images.
These are a few sites that offer free stock images. There are many more, all with a Creative Common Zero license. That’s why you can copy or adapt the pictures for commercial use. You don’t need any consent to do so. However, remember to always adhere to their guidelines to avoid further consequences. Otherwise, feel free to use free stock images from these sites for quality, unique pictures to make your brand stand out!
