7 Free Stock Photo Sites For Any Taste

Artist's Resources

Jun 18

Written By Tatiana Kuvaldina

Are you unsure which images you can use and how?

Do you feel confused by all the rules and regulations around stock photos?

Are you afraid of misusing images you find online?

Not every image you encounter can be used for your projects.

Stock photo websites like Shutterstock offer myriads of options to pick from. When you buy an image there, its license clearly says what you can and cannot do with it. But what about FREE images? Is there even such a thing as truly free images?

The answer is resounding YES!!! Such photos are in the public domain and go under Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license. In most cases, no attribution is required, but not always.

Learn more about this license on the Creative Commons website.

As an artist, I mainly use stock images as references for my artwork. They inspire me and help me study subjects I'd love to draw but can't easily access, like a jellyfish. Another common way to use stock images is to find visual content for websites and social media.

I've put together a list of free stock photo websites that I personally use or find curious and promising.

All sites below offer images under the CC0 license and no attribution is required!

1. Pixabay

My personal favourite. Most often than not, I find what I'm looking for here.

The artistic value of images varies from inspiring amazing shots to mediocre amateur ones, unlike paid stock photos. It happens because free stock websites often don't have a moderation system, so anyone can post pictures there. However, with nearly 2 million images, Pixabay collection has a lot to offer.

Apart from that, you can find FREE vectors and illustrations at Pixabay.

2. Unsplash

When I'm looking for a picture with a mood, I come to Unsplash. Their hand-picked photos have an artsy vibe. If you want to get inspired by atmospheric shots, this is a place to go.

3. Pexels

If you're bored with seeing the same faces on all websites, then Pexels is the right place for you. They focus on inclusivity, showing a great variety of models. So you can find those that speak to your audience. Besides, Pexel has a collection of FREE videos.

Pexels screenshot. Search: women diverse ocean

4. Reshot

Reshot is all about community. It's a platform where beginner photographers can establish themselves and get noticed. Their collection is carefully curated to provide you with stunning imagery.

5. PikWizard

What sets PikWizard apart is their inbuilt editing tool. You can enhance their images by adding text and shapes to them. However, all editing features come only in a paid version of this tool.

PikWizard editing tool screenshot. Search: ocean

6. Pxhere

Pxhere shows a colour scheme for every image, so you can get an idea which paints you’ll need to recreate it. Unfortunately, you can't search using those colours.

7. New Old Stock

If you are looking for vintage photos, then definitely check out New Old Stock. Their collection comes from public archives giving you a glimpse into history.

Farm Cove from Macquarie Street from New Old Stock

I've shared my picks with you. Now it's your turn. What are your go-to free stock sites?

P.S. Join ColourTamers to get more useful lists, every creative needs.

Keep creating!

Yours,

Tatiana