67 Best Websites For FREE Breathtaking Stock Photos
Updated 21 March 2019
As one of New Zealand's most popular web designers, we understand the need for amazing high quality photos to create the right visual impact. Photo choices are critical to engaging the imagination of readers and getting them to stay on your page.
As one of New Zealand's most popular web designers, we understand the need for amazing high quality photos to create the right visual impact. Photo choices are critical to engaging the imagination of readers and getting them to stay on your page.
"Content with relevant images gets 94% more views than content without relevant images."
We see a lot of inappropriate and lazy stock images of generic "happy people" standing outside, business people standing in suits shaking with no emotion factor to your audience. What's worse, many of these images cost considerable money to purchase and display. Your website images need to convert just like you hope your content does - getting the RIGHT IMAGES is more essential than ever.
We see a lot of inappropriate and lazy stock images of generic "happy people" standing outside, business people standing in suits shaking with no emotion factor to your audience. What's worse, many of these images cost considerable money to purchase and display. Your website images need to convert just like you hope your content does - getting the RIGHT IMAGES is more essential than ever.
"Researchers found that coloured visuals increase people's willingness to read a piece of content by 80%."
Thankfully, we've put together a list of 67 fantastic websites with beautiful stock photography and images that are 100% FREE to download and use. Free from copyright restrictions, or licensed under creative commons public domain CC0, this means you can copy, modify, distribute and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
Quick Note About Licenses
Some photos may in some cases require attribution. We’ve exhausted ourselves in identifying where this may be the case, and we advise you to read the image details before using. With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s dive into our top picks for free stock photos!
Some photos may in some cases require attribution. We’ve exhausted ourselves in identifying where this may be the case, and we advise you to read the image details before using. With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s dive into our top picks for free stock photos!
StockSnapWhy we like it:
|
UnsplashWhy we like it:
|
PixalBayPixalbay's opening sentence is a dream - "All images and videos on Pixabay are released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty-free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required."
So what's not to like? The selection isn't fantastic for certain niches, i.e. cities, countries, but for generic images, Pixalbay is totally worth a play. |
Media Bakery MomentsMedia Bakery Moments offers "20 free photos every 2 weeks" if you sign up. For the quality, it's worth it even if they are not in a range of niches, they could be kept on file by creative professionals looking for quality stock without making an investment.
Why we like it:
|
Goodstock.photosWhy we like it:
|
Pattern PicturesWhy we like it:
|
FreeImagesWhile signup IS required, (do it quickly here), the collection is very high qualilty and worth the effort and odd email.
Why we like it?
|
Morguefile.comIn one sentence...."to provide free image reference material for use in all creative pursuits". We like that!
Why we like it?
|
PicographyWhy we like it:
The bad:
|
Visuals.newzealand.comOne of two websites for the Kiwis! If you don't know much about New Zealand, the next two websites will convince you to book a flight over here! Anyway, this website is without question, the holy grail of New Zealand images. Excellent keyword tagging and you can even see images that are proven to popular by different nationalities. Simply sign up, and get using.
Disclaimer - the Government agency behind this fantastic library requires the use of an image "to promote New Zealand as a tourism destination". It's unclear how strict this requirement is - for now, we say sign up and enjoy the wonders of the internet's best New Zealand image resource. |
KiwiwiseThe second (and last) New Zealand website is Kiwiwise, which offers a range of professional and amateur New Zealand photos.
Why we like it:
|
GratisographyWhy we like it:
|
Negative SpaceWhy we like it:
|
SplitshireWhy we like it:
|
Little VisualsWhy we like it:
|
Life of PixWhy we like it:
|
Death to Stock PhotosWhy we like it:
|
Superfamous StudiosWe found this collection to be absolutely stunning, and even though the collection is limited and hard to navigate, the contents were first rate so we had to include it.
Why we like it:
|
PicjumboWhy we like it:
|
IM CreatorWhy we like it:
|
New old stockWhy we like it:
|
FreeDigitalPhotosWhy we like it:
|
SnapwireWhy we like it:
|
Jay mantriWhy we like it:
|
SkitterphotoFor all the images you never knew you needed, Skitterphoto has just the JPEG.
Why we like it:
|
Barn ImagesWith the homepage working as a gallery of wonder, Barn Images is free of barns and full of delight.
Why we like it:
|
Visual HuntVisual Hunt is a monster that delivers FAST photos for pretty much anything.
Why we like it:
|
Pond5Pond5 has a lot of fish, but not much to catch. However we've included it as the website also includes video and music, so it's worth a mention.
Why we like it:
|
Foodshot.coIt's a food image website. Forgot cities or landscapes. And it's global food. We like it. A lot.
Why we like it:
|
AbsfreepicA HUGE collection of images based on almost almost everything, all available for commercial usage - what's there NOT to like?
Why we like it:
|
MMTBrooklyn based Jeffrey Betts runs this thoughtfully collected site, with all images blessed with a CC0 license.
Why we like it:
|
KaboompicsA WOW site covering Abstract, City & Architecture, Fashion, Food and Landscapes at its core, this website has images that will have you downloading on mass.
Why we like it:
|
EpicvaWhy we like it:
|
EverystockphotoA MAJOR player in image sourcing, if Google was an image library, it would be this!
Why we like it:
|
JeshootsA refined list that delivers on freedom of use, with high quality making up for a finite number of images.
Why we like it:
|
GetrefeAn Eastern European crowd of "travellers,
entrepreneurs, fitness addicts, photographers, seekers" come together, offering a VERY good selection of free images, and great valued packages. Why we like it:
|
Stock image point A "hand made" collection of images, which offers five genres rich in landscape, animals and city etc. Nothing too exciting, but good to stop by.
Why we like it:
|
RaumRotWhy we like it:
|
AlbumariumWhy we like it:
|
DesignerPicsThe simplicity of the site along with its unique content will surely awe you. The homepage constantly changes, with images of "lemon cheesecake" or "red chair" that you never knew you needed.
Why we like it:
|
ISO RepublicWhy we like it:
|
MagdeleineWhy we like it:
|
MoveastA very simple site, with a very clear objective - to make images amazing and free.
Why we like it:
|
PexelsThis site is one of the best - we've seen over 500 to make this sort list, so it's worth checking out.
Why we like it:
|
SnapographicA site obsessed more with quality than quantity is always going to be a winner.
Why we like it:
|
StockvaultTrue to its name, this site really is a massive storage of images, with close to 20 million downloads to date.
Why we like it:
|
Travel Coffee BookThis excellent resource presents some beautiful travel moments in the form of photography.
Why we like it:
|
UsersThinkThe site delivers 99 curated background images for landing pages.
Why we like it:
|
DreamstimeDreamstime has a great collection of beautiful photographs and a great variety.
Why we like it:
|
OpenPhotoA unique collection of lively images, with a "Photo of the Day" feature that is all yours to download should you want it.
Why we like it:
|
Fancy CraveA great stock image site with a promising outlook
Why we like it:
|
SketchJarThis is an elegant site with no fancy stuff but a genuinely good collection if images.
Why we like it:
|
MorguefileTrue to its name, this site holds a vast collection of post production materials for referential requirements - in essence, and online morgue of stock photos for your illustration, comp or design needs.
Why we like it:
|
FreeImagesA heritage collection of vast range of images categories, meaning with registration this can serve as a one-stop image source.
Why we like it:
|
PicographyA flawless free stock image site with the simple tagline - 'Use them however you like'.
Why we like it:
|
Public Domain ArchiveWelcome to the premier collection of vintage (and breathtaking) photographs.
Why we like it:
|
TookapicThis site is a collection of unique and authentic free and premium stock photos, perfect for social media promotions.
Why we like it:
|
FreeJPGThis Argentinian-based site is a class apart and is high recommended for searches in Animals, Art/Architecture, Food/Drink, Music, Nature, People, Textures and Travel.
Why we like it:
|
StreetwillStreetwill contains a vintage collection of beautiful landscapes and other images, with an American focus.
Why we like it:
|
LibreshotLibretshot contains a collection of images with content mainly focused on European countries.
Why we like it:
|
GoodfreephotosThis site has an unique collection of free public domain photos on varied topics on interest; landscapes, objects, animals, plants, textures and more.
Why we like it:
|
FreenaturestockA royalty free site with a collection of stock images on mother nature, presented by photographer Adrian Pelletier.
Why we like it:
|
FotoDiSpalleA mesmerizing collection of photographs from around the world - it's ornate and grouped into countries. Lovely.
Why we like it:
|
StartupStockPhotosA simple site with some quality photos based on our day to day life, revolving around technology and office/workspace.
Why we like it:
|
MadeInMomentsOK so this is a bit left field, but "hipster couple" Tomy and Marine give away free images every week. Take your time and have a click around - there are some fascinating photos along with some relevant content derived from personal experience, which makes this site a curated wonder.
Why we like it:
|
FindAPhotoA one stop place where you will find 10,000 of the best stock free images across the web, all in one place.
Why we like it:
|
RealisticshotsAs suggested by the name, this site canvas some unique and realistic snaps. Best of all, the website is carefully curated and updated with "7 images per week".
Why we like it:
|