Where to Get Free Photos
You’re working on your latest Instagram carousel or a YouTube thumbnail. Everything’s coming together. But, wait—you’re missing that perfect photo to tie it all together. You can try to get your own shots, but, accept it – who’s got time for that?
Plus, not all of us are natural-born, talented photographers, right? No worries though. There are plenty of websites out there which offer high-quality stock photos for free.
That’s right, F-R-E-E!
Whether you’re a content creator, blogger, or just someone who loves to share awesome visuals, these sites will help you find the perfect image without costing you a dime. Let’s check out some of the best places to grab free photos!
MotionArray
Honestly, when it comes to finding free stock photos that suit all your creative needs, MotionArray is a go-to. With a more-than-affordable subscription, you unlock unlimited access to a wide range of high-quality photos from talented professionals.
Whether you’re after sleek office shots, vibrant nature images, abstract textures, or backgrounds for your latest project, well, MotionArray has it all. But, you know the best part?
The website offers an easy-to-navigate search feature, allowing you to quickly find exactly what you need using filters for resolution, color, and more. Plus, with royalty-free stock photos, you don’t have to worry about licensing issues.
If you’re a content creator who needs consistent, high-quality images for things like YouTube thumbnails, blog posts, or social media content, MotionArray is an awesome (and the best) option to explore.
Unsplash
Unsplash is a fan favorite of the creator community and for a good reason—its library of free stock photos is massive and full of high-quality images. The platform is home to a highly passionate community of photographers who upload their work for free use.
You can find literally anything on Unsplash—from breathtaking nature shots to high-quality portraits. What’s awesome about Unsplash is that it’s totally free to use for both personal and commercial purposes.
The search function makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for, and the best part? No attribution required! So you can download your favorite images and get back to creating without any hassle.
A major downside, however, to using Unsplash is that while the selection is huge, some photos can feel overused. This can make it harder for your content to stand out, as many other creators may be using the same popular images.
Pexels
Pexels is another great site for free stock photos and videos. Known for its high-resolution photos, it offers images that cover a wide range of categories—from lifestyle shots to business-related imagery.
It’s incredibly easy to search and navigate, making it a top choice for content creators who need high-quality visuals for their blogs, presentations, or even TikTok videos. Like Unsplash, Pexels allows free usage for personal and commercial projects.
So, you can use their images without worrying about licensing fees. It’s perfect for creators who need quick and stunning visuals without any strings attached.
However, similar to Unsplash, being a popular site, some images can lack uniqueness and feel overused. This can be a drawback if you’re aiming for a fresh or distinctive look, as certain popular images might appear across multiple platforms.
Pixabay
Pixabay is one of the OGs of free stock photos. It offers a broad selection of images, videos, illustrations, and even music—all completely free to use. Whether you’re working on a digital ad, a blog post, or a YouTube video, Pixabay has you covered with high-quality content for just about every theme you can think of.
You can search through categories like food, animals, business, and more, with the added bonus of videos that are perfect for editing into your content. Another perk?
Everything is licensed under the Pixabay License, meaning you’re free to use the photos for commercial and non-commercial purposes without giving credit (though it’s always nice to do so!).
One of the major downsides of using free stock photos from Pixabay is that some of the photos on Pixabay can appear dated or generic. This may not suit a more modern or polished aesthetic. This can be limiting if you’re aiming for a distinctive or trend-forward look in your content.
Freepik
Freepik is a fantastic resource for creators seeking a wide variety of free stock photos. The platform makes it easy to find visuals that match your content style and brand aesthetic. It has a huge library of images covering everything from business themes to whimsical illustrations.
The platform offers both free and premium images. But, while many visuals are free, using some assets requires crediting the creator, unless you subscribe to a premium plan.
Freepik’s search and filter features are pretty intuitive. So, whether you’re after trendy backgrounds, minimalistic icons, or lifestyle photos, you’ll find what you need quickly.
A major drawback of using Freepik is that some of the more unique or high-demand images are only available to premium subscribers. This may limit options for free users.
Wrapping Up
Finding free stock photos doesn’t have to be a hassle! Whether you’re a seasoned creator or just starting out, these websites provide a huge variety of free high-quality images that can make your content stand out. So next time you need visuals to up your content game, remember these go-to places for free stock photos—your audience will thank you!