If you’ve ever wondered:
“How do I find royalty free images for my blog?”
“How do I know if a photo is copyright?”
“What’s the best website to find free stock photos?”
“Should I use graphics that I find in Google Images?”
“Where can I get beautiful styled stock photos?
This guide will show you EXACTLY where to find awesome images for your blog that are royalty free and free to download.
What are Royalty Free Images?
A Royalty free license agreement grants you the right to use images or photos that are otherwise copyrighted. For paid stock photos website, there is usually fee-based licensing policy that grants you the right to use images.
The best part?
You can find many stock image websites that are both royalty free and free to download. They fall under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license. Under this licensing policy, creator make their works available publically with “no rights reserved.”
What does that mean for you?
You can download and use royalty free stock photos in blog posts and social media without worrying about infringing on someone’s copyrighted materials.
Why You Need to Avoid Image Copyright Infringement
Copyright infringement means using a copyrighted image without explicit permission of the author. If you’ve ever been tempted to use some of the cool images in Google Image search, don’t do it!
Bottom line:
Images found in Google were created by someone and most likely have a copyright. If you were to download and use an image, you are inviting a copyright infringement lawsuit if you are caught.
Here’s the deal:
I know someone with a Facebook Page that used images found in Google. This individual used them as her own. This resulted in the authors of those photos getting the images removed through Facebook proper channels.
Do it the right way.
Best Websites to Find Royalty Free Stock Images
So, where can you find royalty free images? Below are the best websites to find royalty free stock photos that fall under the Creative Commons Zero license and are free to download.
1. Unsplash
Unsplash features breathtaking photography collections. You can browse the collection or use the search box to perform a specific search.
Downloading a photo is simple. Just click the image you want and then select Download.
There are no size options but the downloaded image is large enough to meet most quality requirements.
2. Pixabay
I always find what I need at Pixabay and have used it for a few years. All the images are free of copyright.
With 20 categories, you are sure to find an image that suits your needs. You can perform a search query using a few search criteria which I like a lot!
- Media type
- Orientation
- Category
- Larger than
- Color
You can find some beautiful gems in their editor’s choice too!
Pixabay offers a few download sizes for each image depending on what was made available. I love this feature as I usually don’t need the largest size so it saves space on my harddrive.
3. New Old Stock
Do you love vintage photos? Then head over to New Old Stock where they feature a beautiful collection curated from the Public Archives.
You can find cool vintage photos by scrolling or performing a search query. You’ll find the search icon in the upper left.
With color or black and white imagery, I love the Old Stock photos.
Downloading the stock photos is simple. Just right-click an image and then select Save image as … from the popup menu.
4. Pickup Image
Pickup Images provides amazing travel stock images for bloggers. They feature stock photos from around the world.
You’ll find other photos as well but their location specific photos are stunning!
They provide Photos and Clipart. You can perform search queries on either one or both.
You can conveniently browse through a series of tags to find imagery too.
Downloading is simple. Just click an image and choose the size you want. I like that they provide size options.
5. PhotoPin
PhotoPin’s large photo collection may be just what you need to find the best royalty free images for your blog.
You can perform a search query and filter the results for commercial or non-commercial usage.
PhotoPin does require attribution for each stock image you use. Attribution means that you must give credit to the author.
They provide the attribution HTML for you to include on your website. Upon download of any photo, a box displays with the HTML for Attribution.
If you don’t like the idea of including attribution for each image you use from PhotoPin, then avoid this site.
6. SplitShire
SplitShire offers both photos and videos in 18 categories. You can choose from millions of images!
If you are searching for something specific use the search box in the top right of the page.
Download stock photos is easy. Click an image and a download window will appear. Click the Download link below the photo.
I have to admit that I loved many of these photos and hope you will too!
7. Foodiesfeed
Foodiesfeed appeals to food blogger. With over 800 yummy food photos, you have plenty to choose from.
The high resolution makes every photos look professional.
Tags appear on each photo. You can find other similar images by clicking a tag.
You can also click the name of the author to view their other creations.
8. Styled Stock
Styled Stock features a beautiful collection of girly stock photos. They include 8 categories and you can even filter by 9 colors! This is especially useful if you are using a specific color palette on your blog.
The Styled Stock images are perfect for any Lifestyle blogger!
Download an image by clicking a photo and then clicking the Download button that appears below the photo.
9. Kaboom Pics
Kaboom Pics features 5,000 high resolution images for free! You can search for royalty free photos in the following ways.
- Orientation
- Mode
- Color
If you are a Pinterest user, you’ll love being able to search on vertical images!
That’s not all!
You can view the color palette for each image as well as the corresponding HEX colors. That is so helpful. No wondering what the colors actually are.
They also have a collection of images that were from the same photoshoot that are similar. And you get to choose from three downloadable sizes.
I love it!
10. Stocksnap.io
With new photos being added each week, StockSnap has a nice collection of images for your blog.
You can view what’s trending or do a more specific search:
- Date
- Trending
- Views
- Downloads
- Favorites
Click a photo to download it. A download page will appear and then click Download.
Multiple size options are not offered but you can click the name of the photographer and see their entire collection. This is fabulous if you like their style.
11. Jay Mantri
Jay Mantri provides unique photography and it’s FREE!
You can scroll through the image and click Download if you see one you that strikes your fancy.
They post new royalty free images each week with a variety of themes.
If you love black and white photos, you are in for a treat! You’ll also find beautiful color imagery.
12. LibreShot
With 13 categories of breathtaking photos, LibreShot is full of awesome images that would look amazing in your blog posts.
To download an images, click it to go to the download page where you can choose from the following three options.
- Download – the full size of the image.
- Download small – a smaller version of the image.
- Edit & Download – opens a new browser window at Picozu, an online photo editor. The photo you selected conveniently opens in the free editor. That is pretty cool!
There are some breathtaking photos on this free stock image site!
13. RawPixel
RawPixel has a number of creative resources that are unique and inspiring. They’ll add a beautiful touch to your blog!
They also feature a collection of inspirational ornamental designs which are from The Grammar of Ornament a masterpiece of Owen Jones.
You’ll also find model released images that are free for commercial use.
They do require that you register with the RawPixel website before you can download anything.
Don’t worry, it’s free to register!
To download an image, just click the image and the download starts automatically. You can also click the heart icon to add the image to your favorites in your account.
This is handy if you want to tag the photos you like for downloading later.
I enjoyed these free stock photos because they are uniquely different than the images you typically see everyone using.
14. Color U Bold
Need styled stock images? Head over to Color U Bold where you can grab 50 free colorful stock photos.
Although she also has a membership, you don’t need to buy it for this deal. You’ll have to enter your email to get the download link but it is well worth it if you need girly stock images for your blog!
15. Creative Convex
With gorgeous high resolution creative photos, you can download 50 of them for free. You’ll have to register to receive the download link in your email.
If you are looking for styled stock photos that are free of copyright, then check out this website. Here’s what you’ll get in your free download pack:
-
- 20 high resolution photos of creative spaces
- 10 landscape photos + 10 portrait photos
- Designed specially for bloggers and creative entrepreneurs
- Pinterest optimized vertical images
- Under Creative Commons License*
- Drool-worthy photography (really!)
They are lovely, don’t you agree?
16. PicJumbo
Created by designer and photographer Viktor Hanacek, Picjumbo is free stock photo site with high quality images. You can search for images in 16 categories.
When you click an image, you’ll also be presented with other similar images to choose from. PicJumbo also has a premium membership to join where you can download exclusive photos.
17. Realistic Shots
Realistic Shots has a small collection of stock images with high quality. You can perform a searche or filter according to their five categories: Architecture, Nature, People, Travel, and Technology.
Realistic Shots are licensed under Creative Commons Zero.
Final Thoughts – Top Royalty FREE Stock Image Sites
Did you discover some new royalty free stock photo websites that you hadn’t seen before?
If so, then make sure to leave a comment. OR suggest some new sites to add to this list!
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