Stock images: We all know the standard big dogs when it comes to purchasing stock photos for our websites and other creative content. But what about when we’re simply mocking up a document, image asset, or working on a staging site?
We always want our work to look its best and we are often in a position where the client has yet to provide image assets, or to even provide a direction. Grabbing a temporary image from Google is a quick, short term solution though you run the risk of a client becoming attached to those images. More often than not those images are copyrighted and unavailable for commercial use.
There are a number of great solutions to the image problem that can save you time and save your client money. Free stock photo sites. The days of low-quality and difficult to navigate free stock image sites are long past. Today we’ve handpicked a few that we enjoy using at ABD Web Design.
Free High Quality Images
Death To Stock Photo: Death To Stock Photo are the relatively new kids on the block when it comes to free images. At present you can sign up for a free monthly download of high quality images that vary by theme. Recent download themes have included “Cozy”, “Food”, and “Band”. These are large resolution and of professional quality. As the site proclaims, these photo packs are curated and crafted by photographers and free for any type of use.
UNSPLASH: From the site, “Free (do whatever you want) hi-resolution photos. 10 new photos every 10 days.” Can you get more succinct than that? You can easily subscribe as well. Large resolution, lots of landscapes and beautiful scenery.
New Old Stock: As the site says, these are vintage photos from the public archives and free of known copyright restrictions. This site carries a lot of variety and interest. Be sure to check it out!
Dotspin: Instagram lover? Dotspin takes a bit of a twist on the run of the mill stock photo sites and provides a library of free to use Instagram images. Feel like contributing as well? Dotspin allows you to upload and share your own Instagram pics.
These are just a few of the myriad of choices out there for high quality, free to use, stock images. Keep your work looking beautiful and provide some extra value for your clients along the way. Be sure to check these out if you haven’t already. While you’re at it, let us know the free image sites that you like to use. ABD Web Design is always on the lookout for new, high quality resources!
Happy image hunting!
