Let’s face it: we aren’t all professional photographers or digital media creators. But you want your business to look professional when posting on social media. Stock image websites provide businesses access to millions of quality photos, videos, and other forms of media. This post provides information about where to find quality stock images to use in your social media posts.
Why Use Stock Images in Your Social Media Posts?
- Professional Appearance
- Increased Engagement
- Consistent Branding
- Time and Cost Efficiency
- Global Appeal
Why Can’t I Just Use Images I Find on Google?
Technically, you can use images you find on Google and other search engines; however, most of the images you see are protected by copyright. Stock image platforms provide licensing agreements, preventing potential legal repercussions and other issues.
What Are the Best Stock Image Websites for Social Media Posts?
There are countless stock image websites, so how do you choose which one to use? The answer may depend on your budget, the type of imagery you are searching for, and other relevant factors.
This list features some of the best stock image websites we have found in our experience, several of which we use on social media ourselves. Most of them offer a range of pricing options detailed in our list.
Some of these stock photo websites also enable you to download optimized images that meet the size specifications for various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Paid Stock Image Websites
123RF
123RF offers an extensive library of high-quality stock images and adds over 100,000 new images daily. 123RF also offers free image downloads; however, they are typically generic and require you to create an account to access them.
Pricing Models
- Monthly and annual subscription tiers
- Pay-as-you-go credit bundles
Extras
- AI Generator tools
- Vector files
- Audio Files
- Videos
- Fonts
Adobe Stock
While primarily known for their apps like Photoshop and Acrobat, Adobe’s stock photo site, Adobe Stock, is a popular choice for many social media marketers. Like 123RF, Adobe Stock offers certain downloads for free.
Pricing Models
- Monthly and annual subscription tiers
- Pay-as-you-go credit bundles
Extras
- AI Generator tools
- Vector files
- Audio files
- Videos
- Illustrations
- Templates
- Fonts
- Plugins
- 3D modeling
Shutterstock
Another well-known stock photo site, Shutterstock offers image, video, music, and editorial packages.
Pricing Models
- Monthly and annual subscription tiers
- Pay-as-you-go credit bundles
Extras
- AI Generator tools (if you haven’t noticed, it’s hard to compete without offering customers access to AI tools)
- Expansive video library
- Expansive audio library, including music, sound effects, and beats
Getty Images
Getty Images is the upper echelon of stock image providers. That’s because they don’t really offer stock images. Getty essentially curates photography from leading photojournalists and industry professionals, providing media outlets seamless access to fresh, newsworthy photos.
Unless you are in the editorial industry, you probably won’t utilize Getty Images. Their cheapest credit bundle costs $800, enabling you to download five small images or low-resolution videos.
Free Stock Image Websites
Unsplash
Acquired by Getty Images in 2021, Unsplash was initially a Tumblr blog. Unsplash now offers over 3 million hi-res images provided by photographers worldwide.
Pexels
Pexels has a library of free images and 4K videos provided by their community of creators. Additionally, you can submit your own work and compete in their monthly challenges to be featured on their homepage.