A great blog isn’t just about words- visuals play an important part as well. Whether you’re crafting an in-depth guide, a quick listicle or a product review, the right images can enhance your content, boost engagement and make your posts more shareable. But where do you find high-quality stock photos that won’t break the bank (or worse, land you in copyright trouble)?
Here’s a roundup of the best places to find stock photos for your blog:
1. Unsplash- Beautiful, High-Quality Images
Unsplash provides stunning, high-resolution images that don’t look like typical stock photos. Photographers from around the world contribute their work, making it a goldmine for aesthetically pleasing visuals. Bonus: all images are free to use for personal and commercial projects without attribution (though crediting the photographer is always a nice gesture).
2. Pexels- A Little Bit of Everything
Pexels offers a vast collection of free stock photos and videos, covering a wide range of themes. Their search functionality is great and the images tend to be modern, vibrant, and diverse. If you need professional-looking visuals without the price tag, this is a great place to start.
3. Pixabay- Photos, Vectors, and More
Pixabay offers stock photos, illustrations, vectors AND videos. With over two million assets available for free, you’re bound to find something that fits your blog’s aesthetic.
4. Reshot- Unique and Authentic Visuals
If you’re tired of generic stock photos, Reshot is worth checking out. It specializes in handpicked, unique images that feel more natural and less staged. This is especially great if you want to stand out from other bloggers using the same stock photos over and over again.
5. Burst by Shopify- Perfect for Business and Lifestyle Blogs
Burst, powered by Shopify, is designed with entrepreneurs and small business owners in mind. It offers high-quality images that work well for e-commerce, lifestyle and marketing-related content. If you’re running a business-focused blog, this is a must-visit.
6. Kaboompics- Stylish and Color-Coordinated Photos
Kaboompics is a fantastic resource if you’re looking for cohesive images. It allows you to search by color palette, which is a dream for bloggers who want to maintain a consistent aesthetic. The photos are high-quality and work beautifully for lifestyle, fashion and creative blogs.
7. Gratisography- Quirky and Fun Stock Photos
For those who want something a little less conventional, Gratisography offers fun, whimsical and sometimes downright bizarre stock photos. If your blog has a playful, lighthearted tone, this is a great place to find visuals that match your personality.
8. Canva- Stock Photos with Customization
Canva has an extensive library of stock photos, including both free and paid options. You can edit and customize images directly within the platform, making it easier to create branded visuals for your blog.
9. Adobe Stock and Shutterstock- Premium Options
If you’re looking for exclusive, ultra-professional images and don’t mind paying, Adobe Stock and Shutterstock are for you. They offer millions of high-resolution images, vectors and videos with advanced search features. These are ideal if you need highly specific visuals for your brand but I don’t recommend it if you’re still in the early stages with your blog.
Finding the right stock photos for your blog doesn’t have to be a challenge. Whether you’re looking for something sleek and professional or quirky and unique, there’s a platform out there that fits your needs.