Needing imagery for mockups, decks, moodboards or even an ad? While we’d always recommend commissioning a photographer or paying for a shot on Getty, iStock etc, we understand certain scenarios call for a bunch of great looking shots, that don’t cost a thing. So without further ado, we’ve compiled our favourite free stock sites for you to scroll through.
Unsplash
The biggest and most well-known resource of royalty free images that cost nothing to use. There are thousands of options to choose from. Plenty of options for mockups, decks and designs. The only downside of being the most popular site is the chance of seeing the same image ‘working from home on a laptop’ elsewhere being pretty high.
CHECK IT OUTPexels
It’s almost as if someone thought the best way to compete with a rival is is to offer the same thing, and in the same visual style. Basically a clone of Unsplash but with some different images. You more time you spend on these sites you’ll notice lots of crossover.
CHECK IT OUTPixabay
You might start realising stock imagery starts looking the same after a while – and you could say the same about their websites too. Unsplash, Pexels and Pixabay do seem to offer different images, but you’ll also find lots of crossover. Nice hi-res images that you can download without signing-in. Same basic search function.
CHECK IT OUTJay Mantri
YES! A stock image site that doesn’t look like a stock image site. That said Jay Mantri isn’t really designed as one. Just a photographer offering some lovely images that are great for moodboards or decks.
CHECK IT OUTBurst
Shopify’s stock library is actually pretty good. Though you’re likely to find lots of these images on their hosted sites, ‘cos, well, they plug them as the go-to for images. No sign-in required or need to be a Shopify user either.
CHECK IT OUTJeshoots
Bit of a mishmash of stuff, but less mainstream (#bonus). Same basic search function offered by all the other freebie stock sites.
CHECK IT OUTStyled Stock
A useful resource for people looking to drop stuff onto backdrops or mockups. What’s nice is you’ll find the same setup shot in a few different ways, angles, or without certain objects. Not loads to choose from, but depends how niche your backdrop needs to be.
CHECK IT OUTFoodiesFeed
A very good resource for foodie shots. You might find some of these on the bigger sites too, but as always, you get what you pay for. And in this case, that’s nothing at all.
CHECK IT OUTNappy
If you’re looking for beautiful photos of black and brown people, this is the place. They’re a stock photo website with the sole purpose of breaking down stereotypes and improving representation. They also have a really useful set called ‘The All Hands Collection’ that offers PSD mockups of hands holding a phone or using a laptop. While their current offering isn’t massive, it’s certainly a promising start that will only grow with time.
CHECK IT OUTWunderstock
A stock site that also searches Flickr! They’ve made it easy to switch between the where your searches are from, and also the type of license they have, so you needn’t worry about getting a law suit.
CHECK IT OUT