Where to find beautiful images for your website
Gorgeous images can make the difference between a knock out website and a very ordinary site.
There are more amazing resources than ever for stock photography now so there is no reason to not have beautiful high resolution images for your own website.
Brand Photography
The most important photography you should have on your site is your own brand photography. Work with a professional photographer to capture photos of you that include a good quality headshot. A photographer will be able to capture photos of you in your natural environment which will help to establish that “know/trust and like” factor for your website. People want to know who they are hiring and need to put a face to the business.
Videos are amazing in demonstrating your work process, and introduction by you or more candids of you working. It is a great way to personalize your website.
Here is a sample of the brand photography I had done by the wonderful Sue Skrabek Photography.
Stock Photography
To supplement your brand photography, select some photographs from reputable stock photography sites that complement your brand aesthetics. Pick photos that match with your brand colors and the feel of your brand.
Free stock photography sites:
Check the terms!
Always, always check the terms and conditions to ensure you know the attribution requirements for any free photography.
The different options for attribution requirements are:
Creative Commons: these range from allowing no attribution to allowing only certain uses while still free.
Public Domain: Publis domain are those whose copyrights have expired or are no longer valid.
Royalty free: May require a one-time fee to obtain the rights to the image. You can use the image as many times as you like once you purchase it.
Unsplash
Unsplash is one of my favorite free stock photography sites. I love the option to collect your favorites and create a short list of your favorite photos. You can find my list here.
The photos on unsplash are free to use without attribution, but there is an option to credit the photographer.
Pexels
Pexels is my other favorite free stock photo site. Their selection of videos is amazing. They also offer many photos in a group which can work well on your website as they are from the same photo shoot to create a consistent look
Other great free photography sites:
Sites I use and love:
Most of these sites have membership subscriptions, but also have shops where you can purchase individual photos. Also, if you sign up for their newsletters, you will receive beautiful monthly free images.
Haute Stock
Haute Stock has the most gorgeous images!! I signed up for a membership as I found her photos to be the best there is out there, There are also graphics, videos, social media templates and guides! So helpful!! Sign up for the newsletter to get gorgeous free photos!
Moyo Studio
Moyo Studio has gorgeous mockup designs, flatlays, interior and lifestyle photos and tech photos that work for any gender. Their photos have more of a moody earth tone. There is a membership option and an ability to shop for individual images.
Styled Stock House
Kate Max of Styled Stock House has beautiful photography that have a feminine touch. She also has great freebies every month.
Social Squares
I have been getting Shay’s beautiful images via her newsletter for a few years now and I am always amazed at the gorgeous photos she takes. She has a membership program as well as a shop for individual photos. You can search by color and style to find the perfect image for your website. Lots of her photos come in packages that work well together as well.
Her Creative Studio
Gorgeous femimine flat lays and tech images abound here. Sign up for the newsletter for monthly freebies including gorgeous desktop and phone wallpapers!
Ivory Mix
Ivory Mix offers a wide variety of stock photography at a reasonable price. There is a membership option as well as a shop to purchase stock photo packages. She sends monthly freebies to newsletter subscribers each month as well.
Wellness Stock Shop
For my clients in the health and wellness industry, we have noticed it is hard to find beautiful images for this niche. Enter Wellness Stock Shop. They have a beautiful variety of images for health influencers. There is a membership and a la carte option as well. Sign up for monthly freebies.
Paid stock photography sites:
When you are looking for a less common image, or something very specific paid stock photography sites are your best bet. Most of these sites have advanced search techniques that allow you to be very specific in what you are looking for.
Some of them allow you to follow a certain photographer whose style you like as well.
Looking for even more resources - such as fonts, graphics, icons, mockups and more?
Check out my recommended resources for Creative businesses!
That’s my lowdown on where to find gorgeous images for your web design project. Hope you find that perfect photo that will make your site standout!
*this post contains some affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission for any purchases you make at no additional cost to you
