I created this video to share my go-to resources for finding free stock images — perfect for blog posts, YouTube thumbnails, landing pages, or even social content.
Finding high-quality, royalty-free images that don’t look like generic stock photos can be a challenge. Whether you’re a content creator, designer, or business owner, visuals matter — and these three sites consistently deliver stunning results, all for free.
In the video, I go over:
1. Unsplash
Unsplash is hands-down my favorite. The image quality is incredible — sharp, clean, and very modern. Everything is free to use commercially, and attribution is optional (though always appreciated).
You can browse categories like business, travel, or tech — or search with specific keywords. I use Unsplash a lot for blog post headers and email graphics. The aesthetic leans more toward natural lighting and real-life photography.
2. Pexels
Pexels has a more curated feel, especially for tech and abstract themes. You’ll find lots of colorful backgrounds, lifestyle photography, and even video clips.
I show how to search, filter by orientation, and preview photos before downloading. Their video library is also useful for simple cutaways or b-roll on YouTube.
3. Pixabay
Pixabay offers both photos and vector graphics, making it great for web projects that need icons, illustrations, or even mockups. It’s a bit more hit-or-miss in terms of modern style, but the variety is unbeatable.
The site also features a growing library of music and sound effects — perfect if you’re putting together multimedia content on a tight budget.
In the video, I demonstrate how to search effectively, filter for commercial use, and double-check licensing. I also share a few tips for modifying and combining images using Canva or Photoshop to make your content more unique.
Do you currently rely on one main stock site, or do you jump between sources depending on the project?