Many people are getting used to the concept of using images as essential means of communication. The use of images is faster and easy to understand. It helps the viewer grasp the information passed.
There are several categories of visual images used as communication tools, including videos, illustrations, graphics, and photos.
Photos are sought after as a useful communication tool. Several businesses and organizations prefer pictures that create an impression on the minds of viewers.
If you need quality and excellent photos, several stock image websites are available. Stock images play a significant role in marketing and creating adverts.
An analysis carried out in 2018 by a media marketing agency revealed that 32% of marketing adverts relied on visual images. Some stock image websites allow users to download images at no cost. Orders peg prices to the photos displayed in their catalog.
Let us briefly look at the benefits of using stock images:
- It creates engaging content.
- Faster processing
- Easy learning
- Communicates better with the brain
What Is a Stock Image Website?
A stock image website provides a catalog of stock photos, illustrations, graphics, and royalty-free images. Images available on stock websites I use majorly for marketing and advertising. Other uses include blogging, publishing, and personal projects.
Uses Of Stock Images
- Editorial/Entertainment
- Ebook covers and illustrations
- Video
- Newsletters
- Business
- Branding material
- Catalogs
- Product packaging
- Social media pages
- Promotional
- Greeting cards
- Postcards
The Basics of Stock Image Licenses
Copyright and Ownership
Photographers created copyrights on images to give the owners legal rights over the photos. You can only use the pictures with the permission of the owners. Many images on search engines cannot be downloaded directly and used for advertisement or professional reasons.
Rights Managed
Images with rights management licenses have more severe restrictions to prevent users from quickly accessing them. Before downloading them, the stock site must approve the images by requesting the submission of the reasons for downloading.
Websites limit restrictions to specific geographical locations. Images with rights managed licenses are exclusive and available for purchase periodically. These images are more expensive and premium-rated.
Royalty-Free
Royalty-free images users download images repeatedly after an initial purchase. These images are less expensive and non-exclusive. They, however, come with restrictions and questions tailored to the reasons for download.
Extended Licenses
Extended licenses are similar to royalty-free images. They allow users to make several copies of the image for as long as is necessary.
Editorial Use License
These sets of licenses cover images of newsworthy events, celebrities, large crowds, etc. Marketers use the pictures for editorial purposes on issues like entertainment, public interest, and general news.
The 15 Best Free and Paid Stock Image Websites
Depositphotos
This stock image website is rated among the best websites to get free stock images. The company has provided optimum services for its clients and users for a good number of years. Images provided on the website encrypted with royalty-free licenses.
The license permits the purchase of the photos at low prices. Images displayed on a website range between $2,99 – $4,90. Subscription plans made available by the website allow users to access more pictures at monthly or annual intervals. The website provides guarantees of images based on the category search.
Depositphotos have provided licensed images as far back as 1995 with a service reach of over one hundred countries across the globe. Its website is easy to navigate and allows speedy downloads.
Subscription Pros
- Buyers can gain bonuses through their subscription purchases
- Subscription services are cheap
- Flexibility in subscription options
- and require little investment
Disadvantages
- Extended licenses have to be bought with dedicated image packs.
- The website is ranked among the top stock image websites and provides a vast collection of videos, pictures, and illustrations.
Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock is available for most adobe creative subscribers and the complements suit. The website offers more than fifty million royalty-free images, 3D content, vector graphics, and illustrations. Users are allowed to download directly with the photoshop, premiere pro, illustrator, and InDesign apps.
iStock (by Getty Images)
Getty Images are one of the biggest stock photo websites because of the free, high quality, and affordable images. The platform provides user-friendly search and browses features. You can use credits purchased in the form of pre-packaged units to pay for photos. Free stock files are provided every week for new users and subscribers who join the website.
NegativeSpace
The NegativeSpace digital platform contains images or high resolutions used without any restrictions. Photographers in the hostile space Community are responsible for gathering and taking the pictures provided to users. Users are mandated to provide Their email address so that They cannot send the photos directly.
Picjumbo
Picjumbo offers fantastic stock photos for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. The website provides 100% free images and is updated continuously to allow the privilege to enjoy the collection. The platform also allows users to register their email addresses to receive the photos in their inboxes. Picjumbo also offers paid membership plans.
Pixabay
Pixabay falls among the top best stock photo and visual content websites. The website provides about 1.5 million visible files, including videos, vector graphic stock images, and illustrations. You can modify, distribute copy, and download images for commercial purposes without asking for permissions on the website.
Burst (by Shopify)
Burst is a good website where Users can download images with high resolutions. These images are licensed with royalty-free policies. Customers can use them for a variety of operations without any need for attribution. You can use pictures provided by the website for social media accounts, websites, and blogs.
Unsplash
Unsplash is a royalty-free website that offers free images. The platform is a digital library containing five hundred and fifty images. You can use the pictures provided on the website without fear of copyright limitations. Users also do not need to send a request to photo owners before usage.
Flickr
Flickr allows users access to several billions of photos and an extensive collection of categories to make selections. The website utilizes an excellent photo management system. Not all Clients can use images provided by the website for commercial purposes. You Will, however, find the right image to suit your needs.
Fotolia (now owned by Adobe Stock)
Fotolia was initially an independent website but has now been purchased and owned by Adobe Spark. It offers a good Number of visual contents arranged by artists, designers, and some popular agencies. It is your one-stop for any photo. The photos provided on the website are royalty-free And used for various reasons.
Freerange Stock
Free-range Stock is licensed to allow commercial usage of photos without any need for attribution. All resources available on the website are permitted nor viewing by anyone.
Shutterstock
Shutterstock provides a massive library of royalty-free stock images that You can use for personal and commercial purposes. The website stores about 235 million stock photos and orders visual content. It also provides paid platforms that meet up the budgetary needs of users.
Bigstock
Bigstock provides excellent visual content With over seventy-one pieces of digital assets to make a selection. It also offers users daily and monthly subscription plans.
Life of Pix
If you’re looking for artistic, creative, and high-quality photos, you need to visit Life of Pix. The Images displayed are good with high cultural value. Professional and skilled photographers take the shots.
Morguefile
Morguefile got its name from a popular newspaper industry term, which means keeping post-production materials for use or reference. The website provides several stock photos that You can share on other social media platforms.
