A consumer survey two years ago asked 500 respondents what visual elements they value most on company websites. The top spot went to photos/images (40%), colors were a close second (39%), and videos were third (21%). Others in descending order included typography, infographics/charts, and animation.
Half of the consumers surveyed believe that overall, a company’s web design is important for its brand. The findings were part of an article on website redesign checklist. It gave an eye opener on the essential role of images in the visual appeal and design of a corporate website.
But where do you find appropriate and relevant images? You can always go for premium royalty-free stock image providers or, as a starter, try out free stock image sites. We’ll explore the latter as there has been a build-up in the popularity and number of these zero-cost image sites.
Where to Get Free Stock Images for Your Corporate Website This 2023
Understanding the Use of Content
You may ask – are they really free? An understanding of the use of content in general and images, in particular, is in order.
You don’t want to use and publish an image on your company website that would elicit the worst thing that can happen – receive a complaint and a DMCA takedown notice.
Here are things that you should know:
- Copyrighted work cannot be used, copied, or distributed. The author or owner of written published content, books, videos, music, images, etc. – has exclusive rights to his or her work and is protected by copyright laws.
- An author or owner may allow the free use and distribution of the work through a Creative Commons (CC) license (particularly a CC0 license) which is one of many public copyright licenses first introduced in 2002.
- The author can specify conditions for its use such as for personal use or commercial use only or both. The work may or may not be modified or shared and distributed.
- Photographers freely contribute their photos to free stock image sites and allow the general public to download and use these images for whatever purpose under a CC0 license.
- Usually, no attribution is required but image sites do encourage users to credit or mention the photographer.
- Free stock image providers may set their terms and conditions for the use of their sites but generally follow the CC0 license framework.
So, to answer the question at the start of this section – yes, images from free stock photo sites are available at zero cost. Although nowadays, some have offered paid options for premium features.
Copyright-free vs. Royalty-free
A free photo is not a free photo if it’s a royalty-free photo. Confused? Royalty-free simply means you don’t pay royalties to the picture owner or photographer every time you use his picture.
Since it’s too much work for the photographer to account for the royalties due to him, he submits his photos to a royalty-free stock image provider who does the heavy lifting and pays him his dues for images that are downloaded or used.
The terms may differ for each royalty-free stock image provider. You can pay a one-time fee for the unlimited download and use of photos. Or you can pay a set amount for each download and use of a photo. Whatever the case, you pay up so you don’t infringe on a copyrighted image.
Among the better-known royalty-free stock image companies are Getty Images, Shutterstock, iStock, Dreamstime, Alamy, 123RF, and Adobe Stock.
On the other hand, copyright free is what it is – free of copyright restrictions and usually covered by a CC0 license, with the author waiving the rights to his work and freely allowing for its personal or commercial use.
Below are some of the best free stock image sites today.
1. Unsplash
Image credit: unsplash.com
Unsplash is a trailblazer in the copyright-free photography model. It started in 2013 when its Montreal-based entrepreneur-founder Mikael Cho couldn’t find the right photos for his company’s website and instead hired a photographer.
Ten images from the photoshoot were posted on Unsplash’s Tumbler blog where people were invited to use them as they saw fit. There were over 50,000 visits on that first day of Unsplash. The rest is history.
While you can download, modify, copy, distribute, and use images for free, these are covered by Unsplash’s license which restricts using these images in a competing or similar service.
In 2021, Unsplash was acquired by Getty Images for an undisclosed amount. The free use of images was retained while a new premium service was introduced. Unsplash photos are best used for web content, mockups, presentations, and wallpapers.
Highlights
- 3M+ hi-res, curated photos in its database
- 293,000+ contributing photographers
- 1000’s of partner integrations thru Unsplash API
- Apps & plugins (iOS, Chrome, WP, etc.)
- Attribution not required
- Easy on-site search tools and filters
2. Pexels
Image credit: pexels.com
Pexels can also be considered one of forerunners in free stock images having been founded in 2014. It is based in Germany and likewise uses the CC0 license model but with the additional condition that you can’t sell Pixels’ images on other stock platforms.
Aside from photos, Pexels also makes available videos. These photos and short video clips on a variety of niches and subjects are ideal for use on websites, newsletters, e-commerce stores, blogs, and presentations.
You can also use image and video content to promote your product through banners, and ads as well as print marketing materials like flyers, magazines, and albums. They are also suitable content for your social media pages.
Highlights
- 1M+ hi-res images & HD videos
- Popular searches/filter tools
- Registration/account option
- Apps, plugins, and APIs
- Collections and challenges
- Attribution is not required but appreciated
3. Pixabay
Image credit: pixabay.com
Pixabay is a free stock image provider based in Berlin, Germany. However, its’ free offerings are not only limited to stock images You can also download high-quality videos, music, illustrations, vectors, sound effects, and GIFs.
Its huge library of over two million different types of digital assets contributed by multi-media creators makes it an all-in-one site for your content requirements. These content types are conveniently classified into editor’s choice, curated collections, and popular images for easy searching.
Pixabay’s license allows for the use of its images for whatever purpose across print and digital. Not allowed is the selling or distribution of Pixabay content on other similar platforms.
Highlights
- 7M+ stock images, music, and videos
- No attribution required
- Registration option
- Contributor page (most active, popular, newcomers)
- API and partnerships
4. FreeImages
Image credit: freeimages.com
FreeImages was one of the very first “photo marketplaces” having been established in 2001 where members like photographers and creatives can exchange their photos for work or inspiration. It became an alternative to costly stock photography sites.
FreeImages has grown to become a massive community of more than 2.5 million registered members. These are contributing artists that helped increase the site’s library of free digital assets that include photos, vectors, clipart, and icons.
Also available are Photoshop files like mockups and templates for logos, flyers, brochures, emails, t-shirts, credit cards, and business cards. It is advised that you read the terms of the site since some content producers require credit or attribution while certain content can’t be used for commercial purposes.
Highlights
- 400,000+ different types of content
- Large, active community of creators
- Offers premium content
- May or may not require attribution
- Search tools/new photos/popular photos
5. LibreShot
Image credit: libreshot.com
LibreShot is a one-man undertaking by Martin Vorel, a photographer and SEO consultant. On his site, you’ll find hundreds of high-quality photos that are categorized by subjects. You can discern Vorel’s photographic knowledge and aesthetics with his photos that are not of the stock or generic kind.
You can use uniquely captured images for personal and commercial purposes. These original images can greatly enhance your website, business and marketing materials, e-book covers, presentations, blogs, social media posts, school projects, and many more.
The images bear no watermark, do not require attribution, and are very useful for web and graphic designers, students, teachers, bloggers, and journalists who need professional-looking photos at no cost.
Highlights
- 10,000+ hi-res images
- 45 subject categories
- No attribution or membership
- Use commercially or personally
- Premium offering available for fine art photography
6. Rawpixel
Image credit: rawpixel.com
Rawpixel is a stock photo site that offers both royalty-free and copyright-free images. The company operates from its headquarters in the UK but also has a creative hub in Bangkok, Thailand.
A variety of premium and free design resources are available at the site including photos, templates, vector graphics, PNG elements, PSD mockups, and other design add-ons. You can download limited images marked with a CC0 license and use them without restrictions.
Joining as a free member allows you unlimited downloads from Rawpixel’s public domain collection plus five images per day from its free collection. Also available are dozens of free fonts for your artwork and typography requirements.
Highlights
- 1M+ free images and design elements
- Filter search by topics
- Various content types aside from images
- Join as a premium or free member
- Artists and creatives community
7. Life of Pix
Image credit: lifeofpix.com
Life of Pix operates out of Montreal, Canada, and offers free hi-res images for commercial and personal use with no copyright restrictions. Its photos are contributed by a worldwide network of photographers. The site has a Photographer of the Week feature.
All images submitted to the site by photographer members are donated to the public domain. While the image collection is still comparatively small, it is continuously growing with new photos added every day.
The mass distribution of images is prohibited. Only a maximum of ten photos are allowed to be distributed or reposted without written consent from Life of Pix. Free videos, loops, and clips are also available from a sister site called Life of Vids.
Highlights
- 3,700+ high-quality photos
- 14 topic categories (ex. nature, city, people, food, etc.)
- Create your profile as a photographer member
- Featured section
- Photographer of the Week
8. NegativeSpace
Image credit: negativespace.co
NegativeSpace is a community of photographers who contribute their photos to the site using the CC0 license. This means images on the website can be downloaded and used, copied, modified, and shared for personal or commercial purposes without any restriction.
The variety of photos in their library spans nearly two dozen categories ranging from abstract, animals, and architecture to technology, transport, and work. All these are high-quality, professionally-looking images.
A handy feature that distinguishes the site is its search function. There are many ways to search for photos including through categories, popular tags, and color classification. You can opt to sign up so new photos can be directly sent to you via email.
Highlights
- 6,000+ hi-res photos
- 21 subject categories
- Search tools (photo colors, popular tags, related pictures)
- No attribution required
9. Gratisography
Image credit: gratisography.com
Gratisography was founded in 2011 and is the brainchild of Ryan McGuire, a self-taught artist, photographer, designer, and coder. All the images in the site are covered by a CC0 license, allowing for the download and use for any purpose except for republishing in other similar sites
Gratisography’s library does not contain millions or even thousands of images. It’s a relatively small collection but some of the most unique and original images you’ll find nowhere else. Think of amusing animals, funky food, or artsy architecture.
If you want novel, quirky, funny, non-traditional images, this is the site to go to. It’s a good image resource if ever you’re thinking out of the box and want your website to stand out. Some of these images have been featured in Yahoo, HuffPost, and Entrepreneur.
Highlights
- 700+ stock photos
- One-of-a-kind images
- 9 categories, 8 collections
- No attribution required
- Signup option for picture alerts
10. Burst
Image credit: burst.shopify.com
Burst offers a collection of high-resolution photos that are all free for personal and commercial use. The site is owned by Shopify, giving you an easy resource for the photos you need especially if you operate an online store within the popular e-commerce platform.
Its collections are designed to match the photos you might require for your online business including pictures of women, fashion, food, makeup, and business images, to name some. There are dozens of these collections based on topics or subjects.
The copyright-free images were created by Burst photographers who have their profile and photo page. Images were curated and designed to be used by entrepreneurs and businesses for their websites, blogs, and social media pages.
Highlights
- 20,000+ hi-res photos
- No attribution required
- Lifestyle and business-specific photos
- Popular collections and categories
- Part of Shopify
11. Picjumbo
Image credit: picjumbo.com
Picjumbo is a solo project started in 2013 by Viktor Hanacek, a photographer, designer, and online entrepreneur from the Czech Republic. All the photos on his site are free for commercial and personal use, are in high resolution, and do not contain watermarks.
The photos can be searched by subject categories (ex. animals, business, nature), and tags (minimalistic, ideas, pastel colors). While all photos are copyright-free, do read up on the terms of what’s allowed and not allowed as far as usage is concerned.
There are also lots of other freebies on Picjumbo including PSD mockups (business cards, stamping logos, book covers), desktop and smartphone wallpapers, and social media story templates.
Highlights
- Thousands of free images
- Search tools (categories, tags)
- No attribution required
- Premium membership option
- Newsletter subscription
12. Freerange Stock
Image credit: freerangestock.com
Freerange Stock is a provider of free stock images that are sourced from in-house photographers as well as outside contributors. You can use images from the site without attribution and for commercial and non-commercial purposes.
Downloading images from the site requires registration and setting up of an account. Some people may be deterred by this requirement but Freerange boasts of more than 800,000 registered users since its founding in 2007.
The variety of images is quite wide-ranging and runs the whole gamut from editorial and news, backgrounds and textures to illustrations, and holidays and occasions. Subjects are neatly categorized and you can browse its newest and most popular photos page.
Highlights
- Thousands of free images
- No attribution is needed
- Registration is required
- Various images types (photos, textures, illustrations)
- Directly send a chosen image to Pixlr for editing
13. Kaboompics
Image credit: kaboompics.com
Kaboompics is another one-person venture, this time by Polish photographer Karolina Grabowski who is a popular and prolific contributor to other free stock photo sites. All of her image collections can be found here and are available for free.
You can download and use the images from Kaboompics any way you want with the sole condition that you can’t redistribute them. You do not need to credit Ms. Grabowski although that gesture is highly appreciated, much like in other free image sites.
Exploring Kaboompics you’ll find that the pictures are more on product photography but there is also a range of different subjects such as lifestyle, people, technology, food and drinks, business, and nature.
Highlights
- 27,000+ free photos
- No attribution required
- Lifestyle and product photography
- Choose an image from a photoshoot set
- Pick image size and color template
14. FoodiesFeed
Image credit: foodiesfeed.com
FoodiesFeed, as the name suggests, is all about food pictures. It’s a great photo source if your business and website are related to food and beverages. All images are free to use and you can download the hi-res, original size of the photo.
While the collection may be small, the photos are high-quality and suitable for product presentation (there’s a dedicated collection for top-view food images). Just don’t expect culinary and fine dining-type photos.
FoodiesFeed is more on the fast-food side like burgers and pizza. There are categories on dessert as well as healthy food (fruits and vegetables). The choices may be limited but free food pics are hard to come by so you’ll have to make the most of this site.
Highlights
- 2,000+ free photos
- No attribution required
- Search by tags or categories
- Full resolution downloads
15. Fancycrave
Image credit: fancycrave.com
Fancycrave is an online resource that provides both free and premium images. It has lots of nature, landscapes, and travel pictures making it a perfect resource for travel agencies, tour operators, environment advocates, and similar endeavors.
Images are presented as collections such as “35 Free Sunset Pictures” or “25 Free Gorgeous Beach Pictures.” The images though are not exclusively travel related. There are diverse photo collections including those related to Christmas, weddings, winter, etc.
Collections are public domain images gathered from various sources, hence there are no restrictions to their use. However, free image downloads are limited to sizes adequate for web copy (800×534 pixels). You’ll have to pay for high-resolution images.
Highlights
- Thousands of free images
- No attribution required
- Subjects organized as collections
- Dozens of nature/travel-related collections
Leverage the Power of Images
The first impressions of customers regarding a website are largely design-related. It drives home the value of a well-designed website. Web design is comprised of many elements – colors, layout, typography, fonts, backgrounds – and revolves around content such as videos, text, and images.
Do you know that users spend 5.94 seconds on average looking at the main image of a website? Those are precious, critical moments because casual website visitors usually don’t stay that long unless there is interesting content like your main site image to hook them in. That’s the power of images you can leverage for your benefit.
This underscores the importance of having the right and relevant image for your homepage and engaging images throughout your company website. Free stock image providers are of enormous help. With a little search on these sites, you can find the perfect pictures for use on your website at no cost and without complication.
