While I would love to say that I’m a professional photographer who takes every photo I use on my blog, that is definitely not the case. So rather than use my horribly amateur iPhone photos, I look to stock photo websites for the majority of my images. Today I want to share my all-time favorite websites for finding beautiful photos, all of which are free!
Unsplash
This was the first stock photo website I discovered, and I’m still raving over it! They’re constantly uploading new photos, so you can grab a new one for every post. They mainly stock landscape/nature photos, but there are occasionally a few wildcards like the one below. And of course, they’re all stunning!
Gratisography
You never know what you’re going to find on this website, which I think is the beauty of it. There’s an edgy tone to all of their photos, so if you’re looking for a little more than trees and oceans, this website is perfect for you! With more variety, you’re also more likely to find something that works well with the topic of your post.
Life Of Pix
This website is very similar to Unsplash, in that it’s mainly stocked with landscape and nature photos. I’m always in love with their new postings, because they’re just gorgeous! There’s definitely a delicate, warm tone to most of their images, which I think works well within the blog world.
Startup Stock Photos
This website is tech photo paradise. Laptops, phones, desk backgrounds, you name it. These photos seem to be prime pickings for bloggers, so I’m sure you’ll find them useful! Like the websites above, this one is in a Tumblr/grid format, so you’ll have to scroll through the archive to find the photo you want, but that also means you might stumble upon something you wouldn’t have found by searching.
Pixabay
No matter what your blog post is about, you’re bound to find the picture you need on this website. Their inventory is huge, and the best part? A search feature! So rather than scrolling through hundreds of photos hoping for the perfect one, you can just type in a keyword and sort through the ones you actually need. For example, I found the picture below by searching “coffee”. Easy, right? I use this website when I need something super specific because of its efficiency.
Bonus: Some bloggers offer free photo packs as an incentive to sign up for their newsletter, and I’ve always had a great experience with these! They’re usually only available for a few weeks, so you know there won’t be a major overuse of them. My favorite?
Creative Convex by Chaitra
Aside from the fact that several of her photo packs fit perfectly with my brand, Chaitra is a total pro with a camera, and it shows in every one of her photos! She sends out a pack of themed photos every month to her subscribers, so I definitely suggest getting on this list ASAP!
Where do you go to find your stock photos? Let me know in the comments!