Graphic designers are often struggling with curating fresh content for their design projects. While they excel with their designing skills, finding new pictures to integrate within the layout is challenge for many.
This is where stock photos are sold. If you also want to earn good money, we will tell you the Top 6 photo websites for graphic designers
Stock photography websites are filled with every possible image available. An extensive list of many stock media will be covered in this article today. Such stock photography websites are available on vectors, fonts, illustrations, music, and videos. This makes these website services a designer’s best friend.
Today we will list the best stock photo services websites to let you know what stock is available for everyone including graphic designers. Stock photo websites specifically market their products to graphic designers and help improve and simplify the work of these graphic designers.
But what is stock photography? And do graphic designers benefit from stock media websites? Do they help graphic designers save time and money? Let’s learn more.
What is Stock Photography?
Stock photography involves the licensing of pre-existing images for specific uses. These images can be anything from professional photographs to illustrations and vector graphics. Graphic designers often turn to stock photos to enhance their projects, whether for websites, advertisements, or other creative works.
Stock Photo Licences
Understanding the various stock photo for graphic Designer licenses is crucial for graphic designers. Different licenses dictate how an image can be used, and it’s essential to choose the right one for your specific project.
Creative Commons (CC)
Creative Commons licenses allow for various levels of freedom in using images. Some may only require attribution, while others may allow for commercial use or modifications. Always check the specific terms of the Creative Commons license associated with an image.
Royalty-Free (RF)
Royalty-free images are a popular choice for graphic designers. Once a designer purchases the license, they can use the image multiple times without paying additional fees. However, the initial purchase cost is usually higher compared to other licenses.
Rights-Managed (RM)
Rights-managed licenses provide exclusive use of an image for a specific purpose and duration. These licenses often come with restrictions on usage, and the cost is determined by factors such as image size, placement, and distribution.
Public Domain (PD)
Public domain images are not protected by copyright and can be freely used by anyone for any purpose. It’s crucial to verify the public domain status of an image, as some may have restrictions despite being labeled as public domain.
Public domain images are not protected by copyright and can be freely used by anyone for any purpose. It’s crucial to verify the public domain status of an image, as some may have restrictions despite being labeled as public domain.
Editorial Image Licence
This license is suitable for images used in news, commentary, or educational contexts. It allows for the use of images without model releases or property releases.
Extended Licence
An extended license grants additional permissions beyond those of a standard license. This may include unlimited print runs, use in merchandise, or resale of the image.
Websites for Graphic Designers (Paid)
1. Shutterstock (Paid)
Shutterstock is a leading stock photo website that provides a vast collection of high-quality images, illustrations, and vectors for graphic designers. Here are some of its best features:
Best Features:
- Extensive Library: Shutterstock boasts a vast library with millions of images covering diverse themes and styles.
- Advanced Search Filters: Graphic designers can easily find the perfect image using filters like color, orientation, and image type.
- Editorial Content: Shutterstock offers a range of editorial images suitable for news and storytelling purposes.
- Subscription Plans: With flexible subscription plans, users can download a specific number of images per month.
Explore Shutterstock
If you want to get a Shutterstock discount, use the coupon code
2. Adobe Stock (Paid)
Adobe Stock is another powerhouse in the world of stock photography. It seamlessly integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud applications, making it a convenient choice for designers.
Best Features:
- Integration with Creative Cloud: Adobe Stock’s integration with Adobe’s design software simplifies the design workflow.
- Premium Collection: The platform offers a premium collection with top-quality, curated images.
- License Flexibility: Adobe Stock provides various licensing options to meet different project needs.
- AI-Powered Search: The AI-powered visual search feature enhances the search process.
Learn more about Adobe Stock
3. Pikstree.com ( Paid)
Pikstree is a rising star in the stock photo world, providing a user-friendly platform for designers. Pikstree Provides High-Quality Images, Illustrations, 3d Wallpapers, Social Media Banners, and Vectors for Graphic Designers.
Best Features:
- Affordable Pricing: Pikstree offers competitive pricing without compromising on image quality.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform’s intuitive design makes it easy for designers to search, preview, and download images seamlessly.
- Regular Updates: Pikstree.com continuously adds new content, ensuring a fresh and diverse selection for designers.
- Commercial and Personal Use: Images can be used for commercial and personal projects, providing flexibility for designers.
4. Getty Images (Paid)
Getty Images is renowned for its premium and diverse collection of stock photos. It is a go-to choice for high-quality visuals. Here are some of its key features:
Best Features:
- Premium Content: Getty Images is known for its premium content, including high-resolution photos and exclusive collections.
- Editorial and Creative Images: The platform offers a blend of editorial and creative images suitable for various projects.
- Custom Content: Getty Images provides custom content creation services for unique project requirements.
- Global Coverage: With a vast network of photographers, Getty Images offers global coverage.
5. StockPhotos.com (Paid)
StockPhotos.com is a user-friendly stock photo website that caters to the needs of graphic designers. It offers a straightforward licensing model and a wide array of images. Here are its standout features:
Best Features:
- Straightforward Pricing: StockPhotos.com follows a simple pricing model for easy budgeting.
- Diverse Image Categories: The platform covers diverse categories, ensuring a broad selection of designers.
- High-Resolution Downloads: Users can download high-resolution images suitable for various projects.
- Regularly Updated Library: StockPhotos.com keeps its library fresh with regular updates.
Websites for Graphic Designers (Free)
6. Pixabay (Free)
Pixabay is a popular choice for graphic designers on a budget, offering a wide selection of high-quality images for free. Here are its noteworthy features:
Best Features:
- Free Downloads: Pixabay provides free downloads for high-quality images, illustrations, and vectors.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform’s interface is intuitive, making it easy for designers to find and download images.
- No Attribution Required: Most images on Pixabay can be used without providing attribution, simplifying usage.
- Community Contribution: Users can contribute their images to the Pixabay community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice of a stock photo website depends on the specific needs and budget of the graphic designer. Whether opting for a paid platform like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images, or a free option like Pixabay, each offers unique features to enhance the creative process. Understanding the nuances of stock photo licenses is equally vital to ensure proper usage in design projects.
For more insights on graphic design and ways to monetize your skills, check out our article on Earning Money as a Graphic Designer.
1 thought on “Top 6 Photo Websites for Graphic Designers (Paid & Free)”
Pingback: Top Wave of Happy Stock Photos best collection for your Marketing