The Best Places to Find High-Quality Images for Your Brand & Website
As a Showit designer, I know firsthand how critical it is to choose the right stock photos for your brand. Whether you're designing your website, crafting social media graphics, or creating marketing materials, the stock photos you choose can significantly impact your brand’s success. But with so many options out there, how do you know where to find the best images that align with your unique style and vision? Well, you're in the right place! In this post, I’m sharing the top stock photo websites for 2025, and I'll be walking you through how to choose and customize stock photos so that they truly represent your brand.
Let’s dive in!
Why Stock Photos Matter
When it comes to visual storytelling, stock photos play a pivotal role in bringing your website and content to life. Let’s be honest—stock photos sometimes get a bad rap for being cheesy or overused. But when done right, stock photos can become a powerful tool to enhance your website’s design, create professional-quality content, and elevate your branding.
The Power of First Impressions
The moment someone lands on your website, they start forming opinions about your business. As humans, we make snap judgments based on visuals, and studies have shown that people can make a decision about a website in just 50 milliseconds. So, if your stock photos are blurry, poorly lit, or generic, they could leave a negative impression on potential customers. On the other hand, the right stock photo, one that aligns with your brand's aesthetic, can immediately establish trust and help set the tone for the rest of the visitor’s experience.
Stock Photos and Emotional Connection
Humans are emotional beings. When we connect with a brand, it’s often because we feel something—whether that’s joy, nostalgia, or excitement. Stock photos can help you evoke these emotions, which is why it’s so important to choose images that align with your brand’s message. A well-chosen stock photo can trigger an emotional response, helping you create that connection from the moment someone visits your website. Imagine a bright, welcoming image of a smiling person or a peaceful, calming landscape—these types of photos can instantly create a mood and invite your audience to spend more time on your site.
The Impact of Visuals
It’s no secret that visuals have a powerful impact on engagement and conversions. Research shows that 65% of people are visual learners, meaning they process images faster than text. As a designer, I know that when people are scrolling through websites, social media, or marketing materials, they are far more likely to stop and engage with content that includes eye-catching visuals.
Whether it’s an emotional connection through a smiling face, a relatable lifestyle shot, or a stunning landscape, the right stock photo can create an instant connection with your audience.
Statistics on Visuals in Marketing
- 93% of communication is visual. (Source: 3M)
- Social media posts with images receive 650% more engagement. (Source: HubSpot)
- Content with relevant images gets 94% more views than content without. (Source: Skyword)
So, why not make the most of stock photos? By choosing the right images, you can increase your brand’s visual appeal and maximize your content's reach and effectiveness. Whether you’re posting on Instagram, designing a blog post, or creating an eye-catching ad, stock photos can help you achieve a polished and professional look.
How I Choose Stock Photos for My Clients & Templates
When it comes to choosing stock photos, I have a very specific process. It’s not just about finding something pretty—it’s about selecting images that perfectly represent my client’s brand, message, and tone. Here’s how I go about choosing the best stock photos for my Showit website clients.
1. Understand the Brand Aesthetic
The first thing I do is get a thorough understanding of my client’s brand identity. What is their mission? Who is their target audience? What tone do they want to convey? These answers help me narrow down the style of images that will resonate best with their audience. Whether their brand is minimalist, vibrant, elegant, or playful, the stock photos need to reflect that identity.
2. Focus on Authenticity
Authenticity is key. I personally avoid overly staged or generic stock photos. For me, the goal is to find images that feel real, natural, and authentic. Whether it’s candid shots of people, product photos, or lifestyle imagery, I choose images that make the viewer feel like they’re experiencing something genuine.
3. High-Quality Imagery
Quality matters—especially when it comes to stock photos. Low-resolution images can make even the most beautifully designed website look unprofessional. I always look for high-resolution photos that will maintain their sharpness and clarity across all devices.
4. Be Selective and Avoid Overused Photos
While stock photos are convenient, it’s important to be selective. I make sure to avoid images that feel overused or clichéd. The goal is to create a unique, custom feel for each project, even if I’m using stock images.
When to Use Stock Photos
While custom photography is ideal, there are plenty of instances where stock photos can fill the gap. In my design work, I often turn to stock images when I need to add some visual elements without the time or budget for a photoshoot. Here are some of the most common ways I incorporate stock photos into my designs:
For Website Design
Stock photos are incredibly useful in website design. I often use them for hero images, banners, or background visuals to set the tone of the site. Whether it's a beautiful landscape or an elegant close-up of a product, the right stock photo can immediately set the stage for the entire user experience. I make sure to pick images that complement the overall aesthetic and feel of the site, as well as images that load quickly (make sure to compress them!).
For Social Media Content
When it comes to social media, having fresh, engaging content is key. But creating content every single day can be a challenge! That’s where stock photos come in handy. I use them to supplement my social media content—whether that’s for Instagram posts, Facebook ads, or Pinterest pins. The key is to ensure that the images feel in line with the brand’s voice and audience.
For Marketing Materials
If you’re creating brochures, flyers, or presentations, stock photos are a great way to add professionalism to your marketing materials. A high-quality image can grab attention and help your materials stand out from the crowd. I typically choose stock images that directly complement the text, helping reinforce the message and make the content more compelling.
Where to Find the Best Stock Photos
Let’s talk about where to find the best stock photos. While there are plenty of free resources available, investing in premium stock photos is sometimes worth it for the extra quality and uniqueness. Here are my go-to places for both premium and free stock photos:
Free Stock Photo Websites
If you're on a tight budget, there are some fantastic free stock photo resources available. Here are my top picks for free images that don’t compromise on quality.
Unsplash
Unsplash is one of the best free stock photo resources available. The photos are high quality, and the site’s library is extensive, with images ranging from landscapes to portraits to abstract shots. It’s the first place I go when I need a quick, free stock image that looks professional.
Pexels
Pexels is another top free resource for stock photos and videos. The library is constantly updated, and the photos are high-resolution and varied. I love using Pexels for lifestyle shots, business images, and artistic photography.
Pixabay
Pixabay offers a broad selection of free stock images, illustrations, and videos. Whether you're looking for professional photos or more creative, artistic imagery, Pixabay has you covered. I’ve found some hidden gems on this site that work perfectly for my design projects.
Premium Stock Photo Websites
These websites offer a curated selection of high-quality images that can give your project that extra edge.
Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock has a massive library of high-quality stock photos, illustrations, vectors, and videos. I’ve used Adobe Stock for years, and it’s one of my go-to sites when I need specific, high-resolution imagery for a project.
Elevae Visuals
Elevae Visuals is my absolute favorite when it comes to curated, stylish stock photos. The subscription-based service offers a range of beautiful, high-end images that are perfect for modern, feminine brands. I use it for almost every Showit website I design because it fits the chic, polished aesthetic that many of my clients are looking for.
Sourced Co.
Sourced Co. is another amazing resource for high-end stock photos, especially if you’re in the wedding industry or need refined, elegant imagery. The curated collections are perfect for showcasing luxury, professionalism, and beauty.
How to Choose the Right Stock Photos
Choosing the right stock photos for your project can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! I always start by considering a few key factors that help me narrow down the perfect selection.
Keep Your Brand Aesthetic in Mind
The images you choose should align with your brand's personality and message. Whether you’re designing for a minimalist brand or a vibrant, energetic one, your stock photos need to match the overall vibe of the design.
Prioritize Quality
Resolution is everything. I always opt for high-resolution stock images to ensure they look sharp and professional on both desktop and mobile devices.
Authenticity Over Staged Photos
Authenticity matters more than ever. I make it a point to avoid images that feel overly staged or forced. Instead, I opt for photos that look natural, relatable, and genuine. These types of images build trust and create a stronger connection with your audience.
How to Customize Stock Photos for Your Brand
One of the best things about stock photos is that you can easily customize them to make them fit your brand’s identity. Here are a few tips for customizing stock photos:
Add Filters and Adjust the Color
If you want your stock photos to feel more cohesive with your brand’s color palette, consider adding filters or adjusting the color tones in Photoshop or Lightroom. A subtle color shift can tie the image back to your brand's visual identity.
Overlay Text or Graphics
Overlaying text or custom graphics is another great way to personalize a stock photo. Whether you're adding a call-to-action or a motivational quote, this technique gives you the flexibility to create a more unique image.
Crop and Resize
Cropping is one of the easiest ways to make a stock photo feel more tailored to your design. By cropping out unnecessary elements and focusing on the most important parts of the image, you can create a more impactful visual that fits your layout perfectly.
Adding Video to Your Website
Videos are an excellent way to add movement, engagement, and storytelling elements to your website. Not only do they create a dynamic experience for your audience, but they also keep visitors on your site longer—helping to reduce bounce rates and increasing conversions. With the rise of video content in marketing, incorporating stock videos into your website design can elevate the user experience and help convey your message more effectively.
The Power of Stock Videos
Just like stock photos, stock videos can be an invaluable resource. Whether you're looking to add a background video on your homepage, an engaging video for social media, or dynamic video content for product demonstrations, stock video libraries offer a wide variety of clips that can enhance your brand’s storytelling.
Adding videos to your website can convey emotions and stories in ways that static images simply can't. In fact, research shows that landing pages with video have been shown to increase conversions by 80% or more, making them a highly effective tool for driving engagement.
Where to Find Stock Videos
There are plenty of places to find high-quality stock videos, both paid and free. Here are my top recommendations for where to source the best stock videos to use in your web design and marketing efforts:
Pexels Videos
Pexels isn’t just for photos—it also offers a fantastic selection of free stock videos. These videos cover a wide range of subjects, from nature shots to business settings, and can be used for both personal and commercial projects. Pexels videos are high-quality, and the site adds new clips regularly, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs.
Coverr
Coverr offers a great selection of free stock videos that are easy to download and use on your website or for your social media content. Their library includes videos of business environments, people working, nature footage, and lifestyle moments—perfect for creating a welcoming and professional atmosphere.
Pixabay Videos
Pixabay is another excellent resource for high-quality, royalty-free videos. Their library includes HD and 4K footage for any type of project. Whether you're showcasing products, services, or creating an emotional story, Pixabay’s diverse video selection is a great place to find footage that suits your style.
Adobe Stock
For premium-quality videos, Adobe Stock is an excellent choice. With a vast library of stock videos available in various categories, Adobe Stock is perfect for businesses that need high-resolution clips to enhance their website’s storytelling. From cinematic nature shots to professional office settings, Adobe Stock offers high-quality footage that can help elevate your brand’s presence.
Videvo
Videvo offers both free and premium stock videos. Their free library includes a variety of clips, including business-related videos, lifestyle shots, and nature footage. The premium library offers even more options with high-definition and 4K clips, perfect for commercial use.
Tips for Using Stock Videos Effectively
- Keep it Relevant: Make sure the video content aligns with your brand's message and your website’s purpose. Whether you’re showcasing your products or telling your brand’s story, the video should complement your content and not distract from it.
- Don’t Overdo It: While video can be engaging, using too many on a page can slow down load times and overwhelm your visitors. Be selective about where and how you use stock videos on your website.
- Optimize for Mobile: Since most people browse websites on mobile devices, ensure your videos are mobile-friendly. This includes ensuring they load quickly, are responsive, and look great on smaller screens.
How to Choose the Right Stock Videos
Selecting the perfect stock video is much like choosing the right stock photo. Here are a few things I keep in mind when choosing stock videos:
- Authenticity: Just like with stock photos, authenticity matters. Choose videos that feel natural and relatable to your audience.
- Brand Consistency: Make sure the video aligns with your brand’s aesthetic and values. Choose clips that feel in line with your website’s overall design and the emotions you want to convey.
- Video Length: If you're using videos as backgrounds or in place of hero images, keep them short and loopable to maintain a seamless and non-intrusive experience for your visitors.
Final Thoughts
Stock photos are an incredibly valuable tool in web design, branding, and content creation. Whether you're using free resources or investing in premium photos, they have the power to transform your website and marketing materials. By choosing images that align with your brand's aesthetic and message, you can elevate your visual content and create a lasting connection with your audience.
Are you ready to take your website or brand to the next level with stunning visuals? Let’s chat about how I can help you create a beautiful, cohesive online presence that captures your brand's unique spirit.
