Where to Find High-Quality Stock Photos That Won’t Break the Bank
Hint: Save this post for later on Pinterest! 👆🏼
Sourcing the perfect stock photos for your website, blog, or socials can feel like a never-ending chore. You want them to be unique and eye-catching, but you also don't want to break the bank. Luckily, there are some great websites out there that offer a fantastic range of affordable (and even FREE!) stock photos.
Allow me to spill the beans on some of my faves:
Unsplash (free) – a treasure trove of royalty-free images taken by talented photographers worldwide. The one downside is that since they are free, you’ll end up seeing these photos used all over the place.
Pexels (free) – offers an impressive and extensive collection of free stock photos and videos for all to use.
Sourced Co. (paid) – this stock photo and video site is geared toward wedding professionals. The one-time fee will get you lifetime access to all of their gorgeous content.
Elevae Visuals (paid) – a stock photo and video membership that oozes with elegance. You’re going to fall in love!
Pixistock (paid) – another content membership program with over 15,000+ fresh social media content ideas for businesses.
Freepik (paid) – This is a paid site, and personal go-to. They've got everything from photos and videos to vectors and icons!
a note on copyright infringement
Using photos can enhance your website or social media posts, but it's important to remember that not all photos are free to use. Some photos require permission or licensing from the owner or creator. It's always a good idea to read the licensing terms of the photos you want to use to ensure you're using them legally and avoiding any potential legal issues. By taking the time to do this, you can avoid any copyright infringement and ensure that you're using photos in a responsible and ethical way.
Keep this in mind: If it seems like too good of a deal to be true, it most likely is.
“Although some stock image websites offer royalty free (RF) images for free, it’s still wiser and safer to buy royalty free and rights-managed (RM) licensed images.”
stock photo Design Tips
When choosing the right stock photos, consider your overall style and aesthetic. Do you want bold and bright or soft and subtle? Do you need pics of people, landscapes, or objects? Once you know what you're after, it's easier to narrow down your options and find the perfect photo, or collection of photos.
Don't forget to consider the resolution and size of the photos too. If you're using them for online content, optimized images are essential to ensure your website loads quickly. If you're printing them, high-resolution images are a must to ensure they look stunning.
My Number One Photo recommendation
Personal brand photos! I am allllll about your website and content showcasing your unique personality and style. When you take personal brand photos, you’ll create a consistent visual identity across all your marketing channels, and you won’t be constantly in search of good (and legal) photos. Go ahead, book that branding photoshoot today - not only will you take your brand to the next level, but you’ll have a blast doing it!
Can’t wait to see which photos you decide on!
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