Enlisting the help of a designer is like a shortcut to creating custom images without a photographer, although it still requires time and effort. Depending on what kind of project you’re doing (poster, website, etc.), you can even hire a designer to take care of everything for you. Graphic designers create visual content, which includes strategic use of colors, font, composition, and shapes to create beautiful graphics. And the cheapest and most convenient way for designers to get images is through stock photo agencies like Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and Canva. Free stock photos are great resources for designers because they are easy to find and can save you money. However, it’s important to understand how to use these images properly so you don’t end up with a copyright infringement problem down the road.

Stock images, while more generic, provide realism, are quick to implement, and cost-effective. They can add a professional touch to your site and are particularly useful when showcasing real-life products, locations, or people. Additionally, you must make sure to read the licensing terms carefully best free photo stocks for designers and to fully understand them, as well as looking that you use the photos in an accepted way. When it comes to commercial use, it’s very important you double-check for model releases and other copyright details before giving the ok-go to a free image into a published and/or live project.

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What truly differentiates Adobe Stock is its flawless integration with all Creative Cloud applications, providing an expansive selection of royalty-free images at your fingertips. This means you can access and download resources right inside your design software, maintaining an uninterrupted creative process. Shutterstock and some other royalty-free image providers offer similar capabilities through Creative Cloud plugins. If you want your print media project to feature original illustrations instead of photographs, consider using Illustration Ltd. Although the website functions more like an illustration showcase (with watermarks on downloadable images), the platform makes it easy to commission illustrators for original works. This searchable directory of CC-licensed media is a great resource, but be wary; not all of the images will be the right quality for print.

Owned by Getty Images, Thinkstock’s collection includes selected photos from Getty as well as iStock and Jupiterimages. You might end up paying a bit more for downloads, but the site’s convenience and massive selection are where the real value lies. The downside, however, is that pulling from so many sites means Jupiterimages has over 2.5 million images to sort through. The stock photo you’re looking for is definitely out there, but it might takes some time to find it.

The 17 Best Stock Photo Sites Every Designer Should Bookmark

On top of a veritable feast of photos, illustrations and vector images, stock.xchng provides many helpful graphic design tutorials and tools submitted by like-minded designers. Given how vital good photography is in web design and graphic design, it’s a no-brainer that high-quality free photo sites are a great asset for such endeavors. As a designer, however, you must make sure you’re using this asset the right way, because not doing so could be catastrophic, resulting in legal trouble for yourself and even for your client(s). Graphic designers may also work with photographers or illustrators directly, commissioning them to create bespoke images for their projects. This usually results in unique, tailor-made visuals that perfectly match the designer’s vision.

Our aim is to help you discern which option aligns best with your website’s objectives and brand ethos, thereby facilitating a more informed decision-making process. However, part of the appeal of stock imagery is its affordability, so you may be better off downloading free stock images. If that sounds more like what you need, check out our list of 30 free public domain image sites.

What is the best stock photo site for designers?

Whether you need a stock photo, stunning vector image, HD video clips, or Adobe Photoshop template, Adobe Stock has the perfect stock images, videos, and more to help you tell your story. Choosing a free photo supplier from the list we gave you is a great start point because they’re serious and offer higher reliability regarding the legal status of their images and licenses. Startup Stock Photos is a free photo site that is owned by an Iowa-based social media marketing agency. It hosts high-quality photos with a very modern and authentic style focused on the topic of startups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Images span a wide range of subjects and styles, and they’re mostly high quality. Their images, which are counted in hundreds of thousands, have a particularly artistic influence and are of high quality, all available for free. Despite how it seems, Creative Commons has a lot of legal red tape depending on the attribution type. Make sure you follow the guidelines exactly or else your “free” stock image may end up causing more in legal fees. The appealing $16.50 monthly fee is linked to a yearly commitment, with the cost rising to $39 for those opting for a month-to-month subscription.

Nothing makes a print design pop more than exciting visuals that engage the audience, but you may not always have the time or budget to create original photographs or illustrations. Stock art is a quick and easy way to add a visual component to your designs; just remember that not all stock image websites will have the print-ready images you need. The dynamic landscape of web design offers numerous possibilities for creating visually engaging sites.

• For stock photos that have solid color backdrops, you (or a more experienced photo editor) can easily change that to your company’s color.
• It’s well-known that quality stock photos improve the worth of your design, especially when used in advertising.
• The site is the property of an SEO consultant and photographer, and all images are free to download and use.
• Envato Elements emerges as the most economical subscription service for royalty-free stock photos, with prices starting as low as $16.50 a month or $11.50 for students.

The rise in earnings can be attributed to higher sales and improved operating margins. Illustrations, with their limitless potential for creativity, can infuse a unique personality into your brand, set you apart from competitors, and simplify complex concepts. Let us know if you’re a freelance designer (or not) so we can share the most relevant content for you. It’s affordable, the pictures are of very high quality, and the site boasts a number of impressive search tools, including searching by color. Not only did Medtronic exceed the street expectations in Q1, but it also raised its full-year outlook.