Sometimes the hardest part of writing a blog is choosing the photo. The research is done; the tedious process of editing is complete; and all of the links and citations have been placed in the right spots. But when it comes time to select a header or body photo, you get stuck. While picking an image might seem like an easy task, it can be incredibly difficult to find one that matches the overall message of your article.
Fortunately, free stock photo websites do exist. With these sources, you’ll have access to a wide array of photos to choose from, without the need pay a subscription fee.
1. IM Free
From the people behind IM Creator, IM Free is an easy to navigate site that provides you with a significant number of options when it comes time to select photos for your article. With 21 different categories and over 5,000 photos, it’ll be some time before you exhaust their resources.
Attribution? Yes
2. Pexels
Pexels is one of the most useful stock photo websites available. With its search function, it’s easy to find tailored photos that will allow you to convey your content in the light you want to be emphasized. If you’re not able to find a free image for use, and you’re completely out of options, their searches do return some Shutterstock options which can be used for a fee.
Attribution? No
3. Gratisography
To put it simply, Gratisography’s photo selection is unique. You can find anything from a cat wearing a tie, to someone living inside a fire hydrant. Their collection has undoubtedly earned the ‘eclectic’ title. One downside to Gratisography is that without a search function, and their distinctive selection, it may take some time for you to find a photo that matches the message of your article. But if you’re looking for an eye-popping image that will grab someone’s attention, Gratisography is the place to go.
Attribution? No
4. StockSnap.io
StockSnap.io is an amazing site for a few reasons. Firstly, their collection is searchable, which makes your life much easier as you won’t need to endlessly scroll through all of their photos. Secondly, all of the options in StockSnap are free from copyright restrictions. “You can copy, modify, distrbute any photo on the site, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission!” Finally, StockSnap also gives you the ability to filter results by number of views, total downloads, and whether or not something is trending. These insights can help you find an image that hasn’t already been used by thousands of users, and find something that will stick out in a crowded field.
Attribution? No
5. Picjumbo
Picjumbo has a user friendly layout, with a couple of ways to sort through their library of images. Like many of the sites on this list, they have both a search feature, and a drop down menu that allows you to click on various categories. They’ve also provided a unique feature through their subscription tool. By entering your email address, Picjumbo will send you any new photos that they ad to their website.
Attribution? Not for all images
6. Pixabay
Pixabay doesn’t necessarily have a unique selection of photos that are available for use, but given their library of more than 780,000 images, it’s a safe bet that you’ll be able to find something that fits your message. Pixabay allows you to search through their entire library, and also provides illustrations, as well as the popular vector graphics, which can help you stick to a single image style across all of your articles. Like Pexels, Pixabay also provides users with the option to purchase Shutterstock images if needed.
Attribution? No
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