“A picture is worth a thousand words” — and “on the Internet,” even more.
All of us who run a website or blog know that it’s not easy to find beautiful, free, royalty-free images.
Many people use search engines like Google Images or image banks labeled “free images.” Don’t fall into the trap — just because they have a Creative Commons license doesn’t mean they’re completely free. There are four different types of Creative Commons licenses.
How Can You Avoid Misusing an Image?
Google Images’ advanced search allows you to filter images for commercial use, helping you avoid problems.
However, if you want to be 100% sure, it’s better to use platforms like Flickr or 500px, which allow you to contact the authors directly so they can tell you how to use their images properly.
Below, I recommend several image banks under a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license. This means the author has dedicated the work to the public domain. In other words, images can be copied, modified, distributed, and used for free — including for commercial purposes — without asking permission or crediting the author.
1. Death Stock Photos
The creators noticed how difficult it was for businesses, bloggers, and creatives to find high-quality images.
They curate images, compile them into a newsletter, and send them to your email for free.
“For you to do whatever you want with them — for your website, social channels, mockups, or even to hang on your wall if that’s what you want.”
2. Unsplash
I started hearing about Unsplash around two years ago and loved recommending it. Incredible images: 10 images every 10 days — “do whatever you want.”
Their success lies in inspirational-style photography that works for countless purposes.
However, since it’s so popular, perhaps 100 companies have already used the same image. You’ll need creativity and careful selection.
As more “do whatever you want” image initiatives emerged, another site appeared:
thestocks.im
“The best royalty-free photo banks in one place.”
It’s an aggregator of image banks, allowing you to search across your favorites.
Among them:
3. Pixabay
A wide variety of images with strong search functionality. Features include trending photos, editor’s picks, and image orientation filters. No registration required — just complete a captcha.
4. Pexels
Focuses on quality without sacrificing quantity. Offers 10 high-resolution free images daily across various topics. Its search engine makes it easy to find the right image.
5. Gratisography
Photos by Ryan McGuire, a visual artist who once turned his car into a dinosaur. Ideal if you’re looking for something quirky or unconventional.
6. Jay Mantri
Jay Mantri stages his photos beautifully. His style makes even a wall or parking lot visually appealing.
7. Startup Stock Photos
Despite the name, images are suitable for many industries — computers, office workers, classrooms, and more.
8. Travel Coffee
High-quality images focused on travel and coffee — just as the name suggests.
9. Moveast
Described as “the journey of a Portuguese guy who decided every photo could be used for free.” Youthful, relaxed, and emotionally expressive imagery.
10. Superfamous
A slightly psychedelic website design and a quote from Terrence McKenna:
“This is the shamanic dance at the waterfall. This is how magic is done. You let yourself fall into the abyss and discover it’s a feather bed.”
They offer a unique, philosophical interpretation of nature.
11. New Old Stock
Public domain vintage photos. Enough said.
Missing from some aggregators:
12. SplitShire
A project by Daniel Nanescu. Images that look like they came from advertisements. Classified into 17 categories including food, fashion, and technology. No registration required.
13. StockSnap.io
Hundreds of high-resolution images added weekly — yes, hundreds. Extremely versatile.
14. Life of Pix
Created by Leeroy, a Montreal-based agency and network of talented photographers. Offers stunning photos and even royalty-free video clips.
15. Public Domain Archive
In their own words:
“We are not a stock photo site like Shutterstock or Dreamstime. We are a repository of public domain images — a place to explore and discover treasures from great photographers. A place to find inspiration and photography you can reuse in your creative projects.”
16. Pond5 / Free
Pond5, known for HD and 4K video footage, launched its public domain project in January of that year.
Their media library includes historical footage from world wars, the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, NASA rocket launches, and the International Space Station.
You can also listen to speeches by historical figures like Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy, as well as performances of composers such as Beethoven and Chopin.
Definitely worth browsing — even out of curiosity.
Now you have a list of 16 websites where you can find free, royalty-free images. I recommend saving this list in your bookmarks so you always have it handy.
If you’d like to add more resources, feel free to share them in the comments — I’m sure I’ve missed a few.
