We live in an image based world. Look around and you will see that we are surrounded with visuals. The online world is no different. Everything from websites to articles to advertisements – images are everywhere.
The constant need for visuals leaves content creators in a bit of a quandary because they are always looking for new images. This can be costly as many of the best ones come with a price tag.
Thankfully, there are many sites where images can be accessed at no charge. Below we have created a lengthy list to start exploring today for the best free images.
Incidentally, if you’re looking to get stunning great photography, you might want to think about buying a drone.
This website created this list after struggling to find great images to use on our own site – we did this for us.
Before you start adding images to your site, to beautify your theme make sure your website is on a good fast hosting server, otherwise, heavy images can overwhelm your website. We do suggest you have a look at our InMotion hosting review (what we use for our hosting) here: https://www.collectiveray.com/w_p/web-design/web-hosting/inmotion-vps-hosting-review.html
Free Image Sites
Dreams Time
With over 29 million free and paid images, Dreams Time is one of the largest photo sharing sites on the internet. While a lot of the images are paid, they do have an extensive freebie collection.
Free Digital Photos
Another royalty-free image sharing website. They have a large photo sharing site that allows users to share their photos for business and personal use. This includes using them for web, print, eBooks, books, and other medium.
FreeImages
Over 30,000 photos come from all over the world to provide over 410,835 photography shots on FreeImages. You can use this for your commercial web design projects, or as additional images on your blog.
raumrot
Handpicked stock photography for commercial use without payment. Some rights reserved, CC2 license, though can be used for personal and commercial projects.
Free Range Stock
Thousands of high-quality, high-resolution stock photography. All imagery is at least 2400 x 1600 and can be used for both commercial and personal projects. Additionally, they offer a revenue sharing program through Google AdSense.
Free Photos Bank
They offer a wide variety of photography, covering everything from abstract patterns and backgrounds to transportation to objects.
Imagefree
A huge gallery of high-resolution stock photography that can be used in all types of projects. New imagery is added regularly so it makes sense to check back often.
morgueFile
No matter what the need, this website offers tens of thousands of different stock photography that can be used by designers, illustrators and content creators. Projects and presentations stand out with unique visuals not found elsewhere.
Pixabay
This site offers something for everyone with over 400,000 images that include photos, vectors and illustrations. Attribution is not required and visuals can be used for websites, eBooks, and any other project.
Public Domain Pictures
A repository for public domain images from around the web. Users have the option to not only use the imagery in their own projects but can also add their own photography and earn money from them.
Stock Vault
Over 55,000 graphics, photos and textures are offered for download to be used in commercial and personal projects. Additionally, they offer a tutorial section that provides ideas on different ideas for improving your graphic skills.
RGB Stock
A website created by a group of creative individuals from around the world who work in photography and graphic design. They offer a plethora of unique images and are constantly expanding their image offerings.
U.S. Government Photos and Images
Anyone who has a particular need for government-related photography and imagery will find a goldmine here. Their extensive library is comprised of thousands of visuals that can be used without charge.
StockSnap.io
Crisp, high-quality stock photography can be found on this website. All images fall under Creative Commons so you can use them without the need for attribution.
HiResStock
As a designer requiring high res images, the owner of this site decided that designers are going to have similar needs and hence started the project. They appreciate attribution or spreading the word – so please do!
Splitshire
In addition to offering over 500 stock photos, they also have a library of videos that users can download. All photography and imagery can be freely used without a need for attribution of any kind.
Clker.Com
A clipart site that offers thousands of graphics for both commercial and personal use. Many of the graphics are completely unique to the website making them impossible to find anywhere else.
Stock Photos For Free
A one stop spot offering over 100,000 stock photos that are entirely free to use in every type of project you can think of. New imagery is added regularly making this a site to check often.
PikWizard
PikWizard has recently launched, with more than 30,000 images, with more than 5000 images being completely exclusive to PikWizard. We also loved the Trending images, where you’ll find great recent imagery which is trending.
Free Photo Collections
StokPic
StokPic allows you to do anything with their photography except redistribute them.
BigFoto
Amateur photographers from around the world have contributed beautiful imagery from every country on earth. Individuals looking for pictures to use in travel-related projects will find this website particularly useful.
Gratisography
This site offers thousands of unique photos and they are constantly updating their offerings with new imagery. Their library is particularly useful for users who have a need for picture content that is off the beaten path.
Tinyography
This site by Ryan McGuire of Bell Designs contains Iphone pictures which are cleared for use for personal and commercial projects (CC0) license.
Picography
Picography is another Hi-Resolution photo website. With a tagline like Use them however you like – you know you’re safe 🙂
Death to the Stock Photo
They deliver monthly imagery right to your email inbox. Whether it be blog posts or social media or anything in between, these stock photos can be used freely in commercial and personal endeavors.
Kaboom Pics
Kaboom pics is run by a web designer from Poland who knows it’s quite difficult to find high-quality photography without paying. Since she’s passionate about both photography and web design, she’s decided to share her own photography for those who need awesome imagery.
Albumarium
The good thing about albumarium is evident in its name – everything is sectioned into albums. So you’ll find plenty of “themed” beautiful imagery for download. Images are released under a CC0 or CC2 Attribution license.
Travel Coffee Book
Mostly about travel photography, but lots of stunning photography which you can use any way you want to as they are all CC0.
ISO Republic
So essentially, these are high-quality photos for creatives – according to the tagline of the site. The imagery is available for personal and commercial projects, but they have their own terms, so go through them and make sure you’re fine with their terms. Not particularly restrictive, it’s what you would expect.
Startup Stock Photos
Startup Stock Photos features photography for startups, bloggers, publishers, websites, designers, developers, creators, and everyone else who might need them. All imagery is released under a CC 4.0 Attribution license.
Cupcake
Another site where you can what the heck with you want with the photography!
FreeMediaGoo.Com
Providing stock photography, digital backgrounds and textures without charge that can be used for print, TV, internet or any other project users can think of. There is no worry about trademark infringement and all visual content can be used without any need to giving attribution.
Moveast
This Portughese guy decided that every photo should be available for anybody to use, so he started with his own photography. CC0 – so usage is not restricted.
HubSpot
The folks at Hubspot commissioned their own photographer to put together unique collections of stock photography that are completely free to download and use. Great for all types of projects without any licensing worries.
Picjumbo
They offer thousands of eye-catching photos for every project you can think of without any fees or need for attribution (though if you choose to provide it they do appreciate it).
DesignersPics
Another website with loads of hi-res photography with no attribution required (though it is appreciated!). The only restriction is that these pictures are not added to other image galleries or sold.
Super Famous Studios
Tons of imagery of mountains, rock formations and other similar types of stock photography are definitely a strong suit for this site. One factor that should be noted is that they do require that attribution be given when using any image from their site.
Dryicons
Anyone needs vector graphics and/or icons will love this website. They offer hundreds and hundreds of images to choose from that are all very nicely done.
Life of Pix
This site offers a giant assortment of stock photography that is without any copyright restrictions. Their talented network of photographers contributes new imagery every week so check back with them often.
Microsoft Office
Although not normally thought of as a place to look for imagery, Microsoft does offer this feature to its users. Thousands of photos and clip art visuals are available however it is up to the user to ensure that the images are in fact free to use.
Unrestricted Stock
Offers both stock photography and vector imagery. All visuals are without charge to download and can be used in any type of project.
Deviant Art
Anyone looking for imagery of a ‘deviant’ nature will find that this site offers thousands of them. Everything they offer can be used at no cost.
Getty Images
This website offers a whopping 50 million+ images that are all completely without charge. Users will want to check the licensing requirements on each image because they do vary in terms of how they can be used.
Pexels
Not sure how many images are on the site, it’s got infinite scrolling and we did not reach the bottom 🙂 Quite a lot of stunning imagery, license is CC0, so you’ve got no stress in using these pictures!
Specialty Free Images
Foodies Feed
Lots of hi-res photography of all types of food. Besides getting your photos, you’re probably going to get hungry too 😉 CC0 License.
Ancestry Images
Anyone with an interest in history and genealogy will find this website to be particularly useful. They offer over 30,000 images of old maps, prints and portraits that can be freely used by anyone.
New Old Stock
You have come to the right place if you have a need of vintage photography. The collection on this site is quite extensive and imagery can be freely used.
Royalty Free Cartoon Characters
This site offers a fun, eye-catching group of cartoon characters that can be downloaded. These graphics are only offered on this location and can be used in both personal and commercial projects.
Carpictures.cc
Every car that you can think of can be found on this site and used in all types of projects. There are literally thousands of photos to choose from for any project requiring automobile imagery.
Animal Photos
Thousands of animal photos are available for personal and commercial use. Meme creators will also find this a fun site for many of their creative needs.
From Old Books
Anyone needing imagery from antique and vintage books will find a treasure chest full of them on this website. The library holds over 3,500 pictures that are completely free to use.
PhotosEverywhere.co.uk
Catering to those looking for travel related stock photography, this site offers over 3,000 images with a particular focus on the UK. All imagery is available to use as needed.
NASA
This site houses over a 1,000 images that are of historical significance. All imagery can be used in both commercial and personal projects.
Free Images via Photo Sharing Sites
Creative Commons
This website acts as a tool for finding images and other content that is available to use.
Wikimedia
This site is a database of over 26 million images that are available to use both personally and commercially.
Foter
Over 226 million stock pictures are offered on this page for users. The search bar makes it easy to find exactly what you want.
Every Stock Photo
This is a site that is a search engine for imagery. There is really no limit to the number of pictures and graphics you can find but users do need to keep in mind that they will need to check the license for each image as they can differ in terms of use.
Photo Pin
Another website that acts as a search engine for images. Their results include both free and paid images that can be easily accessed inside from inside the site.
Lock and Stock
High-quality stock photography that can be used for both commercial and personal projects. The website owner does request acknowledgment along with a link back to the site when using any image.
GOODSTOCKPHOTOS
Good stock photos is exactly what it says on the label! A bunch of good stock photography for your website, including plenty of great nature shots for your website’s backgrounds.
Get your free Photos by Email
Unsplash
There are thousands of stock photos available on this site that are completely available to use. Imagery variety is strong and you can find everything from nature to travel to animals.
Little Visuals
Beautiful, vibrant and rich stock photography for all of your project needs. New imagery is no longer being added unfortunately due to the death of the site owner.
SnapWire Snaps
Although they do not offer thousands of stock photos, what they do provide is top notch quality. Seven new images are added weekly and sent directly to the email inbox of those who get their subscription service.
Jay Mantri
This is a stock photo site that also delivers 7 new weekly images to its subscribers email inbox. All imagery can be used without any licensing limitations.
Magdeleine
Another site providing a high-resolution photo every day. Photos are released under CC0 or CC2 licenses. If you look at the Editor’s you’ll find some excellent imagery – take it from us!
IM Free
IM Free has more than just pictures, it is about freely available web design resources which are available for commercial use. But there is a great collection of stunning imagery which you can use, so hoard away!
JESHOOTS
Another photographer sharing his great photography. They are all CC0
Free Stock Photos from Oliur Rahmun
Not sure how often these get updated, but there are some other great stocks photos here
Flickr Sites
Flickr
– Thousands of photos are shared here that can be used in many different ways. Keep in mind that although it’s available to download the images, users need to read over the license to ensure they are in compliance.
De VetPan Archive
Photos here are released under CC 2.0 Attribution license, so of course, you need to give the right attribution to authors for the photography which you use.
Compfight
Searching thousands of photos is easy on this site and allows lookups to be done by license.
Flickr CC
Primarily designed for students, downloaded images automatically come with a stamped attribute.
Create Your Image Tools
Canva
This site is a favorite for those who want to quickly put a graphic together that can be used on social media, blogs and anywhere else. Users also have the option to purchase pics directly from the site to use in their creations.
Pic Monkey
Similar to Canva, this tool offers anyone an easy way to improve and dress up their graphics. They also provide both a free and paid version of this tool.
Social Image Resizer
A handy tool that lets users easily resize imagery for use on social media sites and beyond.
PhotoVisi
With the popularity of collages, this is a particularly helpful site. Easily take your pictures and create stunning collages that really dazzle.
Be Funky
Both a collage maker and photo editor, this site also offers tutorials that will help you turn your imagery into true works of art.
ToonDoo
This site is unique in that it lets users create cartoons of their own from scratch that can be used in blog posts, reports, websites and anywhere else of the user’s choice.
Infographics
Ease.ly
This site offers a large variety of templates that can be used to create infographics. Users only need to enter in their data and text to create stunning visual content quickly.
Piktochart
Non-designers in particular will love this site due to its ease of use. Infographics and other imagery can be created in minutes. Also available at no cost are over 400 templates and icons that make designing even easier.
Image Quotes (Memes)
QuotesCover.Com
Plain drab quotes can be turned into stunning images on this site. Designed graphics can be used on social media accounts or in any other way that the user desires.
Final Thoughts
With more than 70 sites to choose from, you have a valuable resource that will provide a never-ending supply of the exact images you need to make your content dazzle. Think about the images that will engage your audience and grab them. With so many to choose from, why not take your content up another notch? Even with our massive list of free image sites, you might still want to have a look at a few more, here is a list of best stock photography sites comparing various agencies and sites which we have mentioned here and which you might find useful for you.
