The Six Best Stock Photography Websites for Creatives
Stock Photography plays a big role in elevating designs. Whether you're concepting a design or adding final touches, using stock photos helps ideas come to life. While stock photography may have had a bad rep for being generic, stiff, and a little corny, the industry has evolved with the rise of niche stock sites and content creators.
I can't imagine designing without incorporating stock into my creative process; it has become such an integral part of my design practice. Stock photography can take a design from a rough idea to a tangible piece of creative, I believe every designer should incorporate stock into their work. Here are a few stock photography sites I use to level-up my designs:
1. Death to Stock
Death to Stock is my all-time favorite stock site. The images feel expensive and thoughtfully curated. DTS also allows you to follow creators who contribute to the site, which helps you receive notifications when they add new content. This feature adds a personalized touch to the stock experience, making the process of searching for photography feel less generic and more like an extension of your creative process.
PROS: $15/month (at the time of this blog post) • Social, web, and print resolutions are available to download • You can download unlimited photos and videos • Stylized/aesthetic photography • Content is organized by collection • You can view the content creators
CONS: You have to pay for the photography, but it’s worth it!
2. Pexels
Pexels is 100% free. You can download as many photos and videos as you want without any exceptions or hidden fees. What I particularly love about Pexels is how you can follow, contact, and even donate to the creators who share their work on the site. This feature makes it really easy to give credit to the talent behind the content you use in your projects, fostering a sense of community and appreciation within the platform.
PROS: It’s free • Social, web, and print resolutions are available to download • You can download unlimited photos and videos • You can view & connect with the content creators
CONS: You have to sift through a large variety of content, BUT YOU’LL ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING GREAT
3. Unsplash
Unsplash is like the middle ground between Death to Stock and Pexels, offering a wide range of content that includes both free and paid options. What I appreciate about Unsplash is its wide selection of everything from traditional stock photography to stylized images and even film photography. This versatility makes Unsplash a great choice for both professional and personal projects.
PROS: FREE or only $7/month (AT THE time of this post) • Social, web, and print resolutions are available to download. • You can download unlimited photos and videos • You can view & connect with the content creators
CONS: Only some content is free, BUT THE COST IS SO LOW IT’S WORTH PAYING FOR CONTENT TOO
4. Nappy
While the name might not be my favorite, I am a big fan of Nappy's mission: “to provide beautiful, high-res photos of black and brown people to startups, brands, agencies, and everyone else.” For Black and brown creatives, Nappy is a fantastic resource. It offers the unique advantage of being able to search for any image and find representation. The best part? Nappy is 100% free, making it not only a great resource for diverse and inclusive content, but an accessible and cost-effective choice for a diverse range of projects.
PROS: It’s free • Diverse photography • Social, web, and print resolutions are available to download • Download unlimited photos and videos • Content is organized by collection • You can view & connect with the content creators
CONS: Most of the photography is professional, there aren’t a lot of film, digital, or iPhone shots • Limited stylized/aesthetic photography
5. TONL
TONL is another stock resource for creatives in need of diverse photography. Its mission, which aims to "help humanize and hopefully diminish the stereotypes and prejudice against black and brown people," really resonates with me. TONL offers a variety of subscription plans and even provides the flexibility to create a custom plan or download images à la carte. This versatility helps you tailor your experience based on your specific needs, which makes TONL a great choice for anyone who prioritizes inclusivity and authenticity in their content.
PROS: Diverse Photography • Social, web, and print resolutions available to download • Content is organized by collection • You can view & connect with the content creators
CONS: A little pricey with plans starting at $29/month (at the time of this blog post) • You have a set number of downloads per month • Limited stylized *aesthetic* photography
6. ADOBE STOCK
Last, but not least we have Adobe Stock. If you need a wide range of content like photography, videos, illustrations, and vector art, Adobe Stock is perfect for you. Similar to most Adobe products, it comes with a hefty price tag, but the platform offers a variety of plans to choose from, allowing you to select the one that aligns with the number of downloads you anticipate needing per month. If you're looking for a premium and comprehensive stock site, Adobe Stock provides a robust solution.