I have spent considerable time researching the best sites to find online free images/stock images, along with their copyright/ Creative Commons licences. Some of these sites will probably already be familiar to you but others new, as they were to me. I hope you find this of use, as it makes the time spent all worthwhile. Sites are listed in alphabetical order.
Free Images
- BurningWell - a repository for public domain (free for any use) images. Donations welcomed - anyone have any Melbourne images they could upload, Melbourne is not represented there at all!
Waterlillies - Fiji
- Flickr Usage: image pages display their Creative Commons licences
- Free Digital Photos Dot Net - Royalty free images Usage: commercial and non-commercial.
- Free Photos Bank Usage: see terms
- Free Public Domain Photos You may use these images for any purpose, including commercial
Morning Glory
- Freerange Stock free stock photos - Freerange is an advertising revenue supported photographic community - photographers get paid when users click on the ads that appear next to their submissions. Usage: commercial and personal.
- Free Web Page Headers - Usage: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 License.
- freewebphoto Usage: Free for linked web use
- Image*After a free online photo and texture collection. You can download and use any image or texture from the site Categories covered: architecture, art, food, nature, industry, humanoids, human parts, landscapes, objects, vehicles. (pretty much everything) - Usage: commercial or personal but no redistribution.
- Kave Wall - Free Stock Photos, Images and Textures. Usage: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 License.
- morgueFile - free high resolution stock photos. Usage: commercial personal.
- Openphoto is a wiki-based photography site. All images on the site are marked with Creative Commons attribution. Anyone can register and upload images. Users can browse or search by tags to find photos they are interested in.
- Pixel Perfect Digital Free Stock Photos Usage: Personal non-commercial use, restrictions apply for commercial use (also features premium low-cost images from Dreamstime).
- Microsoft Clip Art
- StockVault - stock photo sharing website. Over 100,000 images. Usage: Free for personal and non-commercial purposes.
- Stock.XCHNG - over 350.000 free user submitted images - terms of use vary but are displayed on each image page.
Smaller Free Image Sites
FreeImages.co.uk - over 2,500 free stock images. Usage: Only a link to site required. *
unprofound.com which was started by one photographer, Jim, has now grown to become a “a global collaboration of photographers” all generously sharing their work freely with the only restrictions seeming to be on redistribution of the photos. Check the FAQ if you are unsure. No attribution is required although I think that giving credit is the right thing to do wherever possible. Search is via photo color or photographer and a search tool still to be refined. I had trouble choosing only one image out of this wonderful collection of high quality photos and I hope to see this site grow and become well known.
Specialist Free Image sites
There are so many of these that I cannot mention them all here but I would appreciate it if anyone can recommend any that are worthwhile checking out.
These sites contain images relating to specific topics or genres, those that have been designated as public domain, creative commons or are of an age where copyright has expired.
- Gimp Savvy Photo Archive - images come from three main sources: the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Usage: copyright free, some restrictions with regards to privacy for commercial usage.
- Old Book Illustrations includes galleries of animals, plants, landscapes, characters, scenes, buildings and monuments, science and technology and miscellaneous illustrations scanned from old books.
Agapanthus aka Mt Eliza leprosy Source
- The Best Copyright-Free Photo Libraries - a post on gov.watch with links to specific public domain (copyright free) government photo libraries.
- PhotoEverywhere UK Free Travel Images Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License - Free to share and remix with attribution. *
- Wikipedia:Public domain image resources includes links to sites of historical images, 2,600 realist painters (many in the public domain), copyright expired visual artworks, scanned images from old books, logos, stamps, US government sites as well as general collections.
- wellcome images -
2000 years of human culture Usage: unless otherwise stated - Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial version 2.0 or Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales
Crystals of a DNA repair protein bound to DNA
Source Bernard O’Hara & Renos Savva, Wellcome Images 
Personal Photo Sites
Personal sites where images are offered for download free of charge:
- PD photo.org contains public domain photos taken by the site’s owner, Jon Sullivan who also has a blog, aptly titled, Jon Sullivan
John reminds us that if an image is in the public domain then it must stay there. You cannot claim it as your own nor add any extra restrictions on its use. He also advises that it is wise to assume that no model release has been given for commercial use; unless stated otherwise or indicated by its Creative Commons Licence.
Future posts in this series will include image search engines, directories of free image sites, where to find low cost images, useful image tools and Firefox image tools. I know because most of them are written already 
* New sites added since original post. Last update: 17 July 08
Popularity: 100% [?]
Thanks, a great set of resources for bloggers and online workers!
Fantastic. Thanks for the awesome research. I was in need of other places to find some great photo’s
Peace, love and chocolate
Carole
This is a really great list! Will definitely come in handy
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What a fantastic list. Thank you!
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Great list, I always find the stock xchng site to be the best.
nice list.
I WILL be bookmarking this page. Thank you!
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Thanks for the awesome resource! I’m always looking for new free image sources. Stock Xchng is great, but it’s limited sometimes.
Great List, some usefull resources here, you might also be interested in http://www.freeimages.co.uk (more than 2500 free stock photos)
and the specialist travel image site photoeverywhere.co.uk (3000+ free travel images)
That’s a great list Sue! I stopped using images I found arbitrarily on line (even though I linked to the originator) because it is stealing if you don’t ask first! Thanks
Thanks for the heads up. Usually the trick is the find free images that are quality…which you have done. Thanks again
Thanks a lot for these useful links!
Great resource for bloggers/webmasters looking for a great variety of stock photos. Your post gives an excellent explanation (just the information needed) pertaining to whether or not the photos are for commercial or non-commercial only use, and your research is much appreciated!
The problem is with so many sites offering such a huge variety of quality images - how do you find the one you want!! I also tend to get sidetracked by looking at some of the more creative images!
thanks for sharing with us such wonderful sourses
[...] Best Sites For Good Free Stock Images | Blogging Sueblimely [...]
Thank you for compiling this list. It would be a great help the next time I am looking for an image.
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Hay - Reaaly good source, and list - Thanks.
Thank you, i always seem to have a shortage of good (free) pictures. This kind of post always supercharges me.
Thanks a ton buddy for this exhaustive list of images….bookmarked and stumbled
Thanks everyone - it is worth spending time on a post when you get such great feedback.
Wow, excellent research! Just tweeted about your post.
Happy Saturday, Barbara
Very useful list, thanks!
Awesome post, thanks so much, this is going to be super useful for my new blog!
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[...] Best Sites For Good Free Stock Images | Blogging Sueblimely [...]
[...] Best Sites For Good Free Stock Images [...]
Great list! I’ve used Stock Exchange for years now, and although they are still one of the first “go-to” image sites, the quality has dropped off some unfortunately.
I know that this is a list of free sites, but I wanted to mention istockphoto.com. They are a pay site, but fairly reasonably priced ($1-$6 US for a small to medium-sized image). In many cases, it is worth stepping up to a “pay a little” model instead of free, especially if you are looking for printable images (brochures, etc.) In almost every case, the quality of images is much, much more professional.
I’ll have to check out the others you’ve mentioned here too.
Thanks!
~Graham
great resource,I know I have tried in the past to come up with a list of sites and it was frustrating trying to find those that actually were free, so I’m thankful you have more patience than me
Thanks for the share, I have been in search of free to use photos, and looks like you have the list nailed down. As well thanks for stopping byy page.
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Thanks for the list of site, I really appreciate it.
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Nice list i have to bookmark this one. You broke it down so we can find what we need fast thanks SUE.
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I really appreciate all your positive feedback for this post. It makes the time taken worthwhile. Now I will have to find another subject to do the same with - something that has not been covered well already.
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Hey thanks for sharing, it’s always nicer when someone does the searching for me… You rock!
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great list, i do have problem to find free picture sn the net and i believe now should have no issues what so ever
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thanks
Excellent resource Thank you for taking the time to post all these free stock photo sites.
Images make all the difference to a website, sourcing them is time consuming, you saved a lot of time.
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Muy buenas las imagenes, podrÃan enviarme a mi coreno
Amazing few images you’ve put together and thanks for the links to the free stock sites.
Istockphoto has been pushing prices up for ages now and i’m sick of it.
The one photo looks like a lake has been photoshopped into it - is it real ?
Regards,
Chloe
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I’ve literally spent hours looking for stock photos in the past. This will be very handy.
Thanks,
Mike
Thank you for this great list of resources, this is far better than any research I’ve ever done. Definitely am adding to my favorites. And thanks for including usage rights and details. This is great, great, great! Blessings, RH
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Wow. Thanks so much for sharing your list of resources. I knew of maybe 4 or 5 sites on your list and thought I was ahead of the game. Now if I could just get better with Photoshop.
You really did a great research here, thank you a lot!
Very good resource, I’m emailing this post to my colleagues now, should come in handy.
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Really it is fantastic resource for me. i have collected many photos from above sites, for my site. Thanks .
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we all appreciate the work done here. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks for the awesome list. I will be sure to let others know about how informative your blog is.
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Great list of resources. I always find myself searching for free images for my blogs and your list will come in very handy indeed.
Thanks!
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Excellent list. I also like istockphotos. The photos at istockphotos.com are not free, but they are cheap and very high quality, professional photos.
I’ll visit the sites directly. I need to upload my photos.
[...] Sueblimely Best sites for free stock images [...]
Thanks for sharing this nice info
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I would like to add webshots.com to the list. Thanks for other sites, I was just using webshots and flickr before.
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I noticed that some of these sites also accept photo submissions. In other words, you can sell your photos and make a little money at the same time.
See if you have what it takes as a professional photographer. Can you take photos that other people want to use?
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Excellent selection! You’ve done a big work. How many time do you spend just to give this all for us free. Simple say to you: “Thank You!”
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I spend an awful lot of time searching for resources. I use some of the information for my web building work too but I enjoy being able to give something of value to fellow bloggers.
this is the great site. How kind are you. What you share is really appreciate. I’m going to share this site with my partner.
Nice lists
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What a great list, thanks!
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I think every body must know this site, with a great list, wel done
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Good article. You can also find free images at: http://www.sunipix.com
This is an awesome list! Thanks for sharing. Bookmarked! If anyone is looking for a free image manipulation program then I recomend gimp.org. It is very good.
I did not know you could just grab anything from fickr
great list, gonna try one of these
[...] site as such, brought me 9674 referrals over a short period of time for just one contribution; my Best Sites For Good Free Stock Images [...]
This is the largest list of image source that I have ever seen in a single post. I always depend on google image search which most of it are copyrighted or watermarked. This will be a great alternative.
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Wow, i am actually surprised at the quality of those free pictures. Also, fortunately for me, i mostly just create political websites and most pictures of politicians (mostly just presidents i believe) can be used without permission.
wow~~
great post…
the pictures are really nice!!
thank for sharing…
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I wonder, how did Zimbio made such many referrals to this post? I understand that it’s cool but so many from there?
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what a great list, i’ll try it one by one. thanks for that.
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Nice Post …. I like this article, cheer for the best net post. thank
That kettle pic looks like summin out of the Predator film - cool effect!
Andy
I did not know you could use any flickr image you wanted thats good to know and is a great resourse
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what a great list, i am gonna look at it one by one, thanks!
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Wow! Nice list. Probably the most thorough I’ve seen (seriously). We’ve always included images in our web content for the look but also the traffic an image search will bring.
~ Colleen
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How do you find out if a photo you want to use is copyrighted? sometimes i dont see any form of copyright info on the photo. thanks for this post!
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Most of the photos I place in my blog are my photos, so I haven’t used anything from the net yet. When I do I’ll keep these sites in mind.
I wish I had the list when I was searching for free images while designing sites a year ago
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Excellent list, thanks for doing the research - it will help our graphic designers tremendously.
great pict I was searching for free images while designing sites a year ago
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I like the top one
Hey thanks for researching and sharing, it’s always nicer when someone does the searching for us… You Rock! we’ll bookmark your page, see u.
Really Great list. thanks lot for sharing list.
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my delicious. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
This is an awesome list! Thanks for sharing. Bookmarked! If anyone is looking for a free image manipulation program then I recomend gimp.org. It is very good.
Brilliant list, just what i’ve been looking for!
Bookmarked
Stock xchng rocks! When I first used them, I was skeptical, since when do you ever see a .hu domain? But then I got some awesome assets.
Great list though. I have my work cut out for me to try them all.
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I’m going to bookmark this page so I can come back for more free images. I really appreciate you taking the time to put up this list. Would like to see more in the list if possible!
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Thanks for the great list. I’m looking for something more specific though - pictures of international rugby players. Any idea if stuff like this is freely available anywhere, or where to find it? Thanks for any help!
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Nonetheless the task would seem, at first, a tough one to carry out; however, times are changing fast, and there were few and little-known online free image resources available — until today. New ones are appearing and offering a great assortment of quality pictures, an alternative to the expensive ones at traditional stock image libraries.But as long as your subjects do not require photos of art masterpieces stored in world museums, or faces of popular stars, you may be likely to find highly interesting visual alternatives by exploring the world of free and grassroots image clearinghouses.
Wow, I wish I have seen this post earlier. This would have come in handy with ton of the web design projects I have done. Finding images to use was so hard, but this should hopefully make it easier.
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Yo have saved me a lot of time and work searching for those sites.
Thanks,
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thank you for your sharing
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hey great article
I have used some of these but others are completely new to me. Thumbs up on stumble
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[...] Best Sites For Good Free Stock Images [...]
I like all those sites
I like this image photo
May I add FreeStockImages.org
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Excellent resource Sue. Regarding Fliickr, when using the images for commercial use there is an option that can be checked. Often times I’ll use Flickr images tagged for commercial use on Squidoo lenses. ~ Colleen
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Wow this is great! This list is super helpful for me! Much appreciated.
Thanks, I have bookmarked all of these sites and will use them. I do personally use istockphoto.com and bigstockphoto.com because of the excellent and large selection and $1 price for low resolution. These are a great fit for web images.
- Brian
You are my hero! I currently have two free sites bookmarked for my use. But you have just given my dozens more. This is Amazing!
Thanks for the info I need some good images for making my wordpress themes
Big Thanks go out to sueblimely for this in-depth list. I have looked all over the internet for free stock photos. I was able to come up with around five of them. This list is truly impressive and I have already added it to my favs. Thanks again.
really it has a husge collection of great pictures thanks for sharing it.
I used to use the resources section of deviantart.com — they had some really inspiring stock images. But now whenever I go there I get an error message after a few minutes and the window closes >:(
I love those pics, I wish I could know how to use my camera better and get those pieces of art. Great!
Hey Sue, I just wanted to say how much this site has benefited me. I have had such a hard time finding quality public domain images sites. I usually find out the site charges for images. Thanks again.
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Personally I use Zimbio for images, but in Zimbio you have to be be careful because not all the images are free to use.
The key to these ‘free’ services is finding the ones that will allow use for commercial purposes without attribution.
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nice tip, there are many good pictures.
Thank you Sue for this great list. So hard to find public domain images for me, I have only found a few.
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Thank you so much for this post. I have avoided using images because of copyright fears. I found this post exactly when I needed it. I wish you all the success in the world.
Nice pictures.But I wonder how to get the third image.The colors are so charming.Whilst the last image is vivid to some degree.
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Thanks for the post. Indeed copyrighted images can become trouble if we use them all the time. Once I got a mail from a dude saying I’ve got his pic on my blog and he asked for money. I removed the picture…
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