6 Places to Find High-Quality Feminine Stock Photos for Your Website
Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you :)
How (+ Why!) to Stop Using Images you Find on Google…
If you’re a novice builder looking to create a website for your business, it’s likely that, eventually, you’re going to need photos that encompass your branding to use on your website’s pages.
While it might be tempting to search Google and take screenshots of images you find to use on your website, doing so can have several consequences.
First (and most importantly,) it’s illegal. Most of the images you will find on a Google Image search are not in the public domain, and therefore belong to someone else.
To use these images, you must get the owner’s permission and usually pay a fee to use them commercially (i.e. to make a profit.) Another important note: You cannot use images that are “free for personal use” on your website, either, since your website is considered commercial.
Secondly, even if they are in the public domain, it’s very likely that the images you find and download (or screenshot) on Google are going to be low-quality and do more harm than good on your website.
Having a fuzzy, non-cohesive, or simply odd image on your website deters potential clients because it takes away from the professionalism of your brand. Everything else on your website can be nearly perfect - but if your images are obviously low-budget, low-quality, and not yours, clients are going to be skeptical.
With this being said, you aren’t doomed if you aren’t a photographer or don’t have access to your own studio to take professional stock photos.
There are plenty of websites where you can find high-quality, feminine, and diverse images for use on your own website - some for free, and some for a one-time or recurring membership fee.
Let’s dive in and explore what I (a Squarespace and Showit website designer) call my favorite websites for finding stunning, feminine stock photos!
Unsplash (free)
Unsplash is one of my favorite platforms to use to find stunning images for my website because all the images are 1) completely free for commercial use, 2) high-quality, and 3) diverse, coming from tons of different photographers all around the world.
On Unsplash, you can search photos by keyword to find exactly what you’re looking for. (Pro tip: Try similar words if the keywords you’re using aren’t returning the search results you want. For example, instead of searching “woman,” the keyword “lady.”)
Unsplash makes finding photos super easy and inexpensive, so if you’re looking for a low time and money investment, I definitely recommend starting with Unsplash.
If you’re using Squarespace as your website builder, you’ll actually find that Unsplash is built into the backend so you can choose photos directly inside an image block.
Pexels (free)
Pexels has some STUNNING photography and, like Unsplash, allows you to search for what you’re looking for via a search bar.
All the photos on this website are free for commercial use, so you can confidently use whatever you find here on your website without fear of getting in trouble for it later on.
Creative Market
I LOVE Creative Market because it not only offers a wide selection of photos, but also fonts, graphics, themes, templates, and MORE.
If it’s creative, you can find it on Creative Market for use in your business.
Photos can be searched by a variety of categories, so you are sure to find what you are looking for.
Most photos run between $10 and $30 which is a great deal for commercial use on your website! Try using the word “bundle” in your search to find stock photos from the same photographer that have a similar vibe and aesthetic.
Plus, you can now pay via PayPal on Creative Market’s platform.
Haute Stock
Haute Stock works on a membership basis, meaning you pay either tri-monthly or annually for access to their entire library of content, which includes 6,000+ stock photos, unlimited downloads, customizable Canva templates, caption prompts, and more.
They also have a variety of free resources available on their website to give you a taste of what they’re all about, so be sure to check it out!
Styled Stock Society
Styled Stock Society is amazing for so many reasons. First, it has a completely aesthetically pleasing storefront where you can browse membership options, preview photo bundles, and more.
Plans start out at $97 per quarter, but you can avoid paying forever by enrolling in the lifetime membership, which is a ONE-TIME payment of $597.
In addition, Styled Stock Society offers twenty FREE feminine stock photos available for immediate download - no cost, no gimmicks.
Ivory Mix
Ivory Mix (that’s an affiliate link) has a little bit of everything - photos, templates, strategies, guides, courses, and more. If you like it, it can definitely be a one-stop shop for everything you need regarding the digital aspects of your business.
You can get over 500 freebies, including photos, templates, and strategies, just for signing up to receive emails, and browse tons of products on its organized storefront.
You can grab 550+ free styled stock photos here.
As a Squarespace and Showit website designer, I love helping my clients access resources that will boost their businesses without breaking the bank.
I hope this list helps you find amazing stock photos for your website that not only align with your branding, but do so in a way that captivates new customers and encourages them to stick around.
For more info about me and the services I provide, check out the link below. I have 3 years of experience in website design and branding that make me the perfect fit for your next project, whether it’s a totally new website for your business or a detailed revamp.
Chat soon!
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