Contrary to the popular belief, images are not only nice to have as an element in websites anymore. Today, they do a lot more than paint a pretty picture on your WordPress website. So we will talk about premium stock photos and where to find them.
Perhaps many readers have heard the old expression that it's better to show and tell. Images on a website act as storytellers, allowing website visitors to visualize the offering. In fact, research has also found the human brain to process images in little as 100 milliseconds, making carefully chosen images a vital component of a website and blog.
However, in the midst of trying to find countless content ideas, finding the right image can be a challenge. It's an essential process of course, but a headache when you don't have the resources to create your own customized images.
Fortunately, this is where stock imagery comes in! Stock photographs are a readily available collection of images that anyone can use without much restriction. And in this guide, we will tell you some excellent stock photo sites you can use to fill in the visual gap while creating your WordPress site.
Stock images are available in both – paid and free modules. However, most parties prefer to subscribe to a premium package due to the selective choices it offers. They are better in quality and provide the users with better graphics than free ones.
Moreover, there is the license requirement that comes with each stock photograph. Often free stock photography sites don't adhere to the copyright restrictions that are made liable by the law – putting the user at risk of infringement and lawsuit.
However, premium stock photo sites take care of all the legal formalities and provide a license with each image you purchase to ensure you are covered by the law. They also take permission from each model present in the photo to limit the chances of a law infringement when using their pictures.
Now that you know all about stock photography sites, let's head on to our list of best premium stock photo sites for WordPress websites and blogs.
1. StockPhotoSecrets
StockPhotoSecrets tops our list of top premium stock photo sites for the vast collection it offers. It's a royalty-free image resource that hosts over 5 million high-quality images, vectors, and illustrations available to download and use immediately.
Moreover, the site adds 100,000 new varieties monthly, so you will never be short of images here. Ideal for small to mid-sized businesses, the offerings by StockPhotoSecrets can be used on both – print and digital mediums as many times as you want.
When it comes to pricing, StockPhotoSecrets subscription plans are pretty affordable compared to other premium stock agencies. Their most affordable plan is the $99/club, where the user gets access to 200 image downloads in a year. The plan is auto-renewable, meaning you will be able to secure the super low price for another year – automatically.
Besides the super cheap deal, marketers will be able to find several other subscription plans and on-demand options. Moreover, the site is modernly designed and user-friendly, giving the user bonus functionality beyond the basic image search. So if you are looking for an affordable stock agency that lets you download images without breaking the bank, check out StockPhotoSecrets today.
2. Photocase
Photocase is another excellent option for simple stock photographs. They sell high-quality images in various sizes that are ideal for both – print and digital mediums. However, compared to other stock photo sites, their prices are slightly on the expensive side. But as they say, you pay for quality, and that's what you get at Photocase.
One of the greatest things about Photocase is that it offers manually selected photos. And since real people sort these images, you can rest assured of the quality. You can also be ensured that each image adheres to the copyright guidelines.
When it comes to the collection, Photocase adds new images every day, so you will never be short of ideas to download here. Website owners will also appreciate their customer service, which is top-notch. They are also readily available to answer any question the marketers may have before downloading the desired image.
3. Shutterstock
Shutterstock is a renowned name in the stock photography niche and perfect for people who require a regular supply of stock content. Since it's one of the largest stock photography sites, it gives marketers access to the vastest and most diverse stock image database. However, there is a downside to it. Because it is so vast, you will have to sort through the pictures more, and the library will feel less curated than some of the other stock photo sites listed in this guide.
But hey, if you are willing to do a little bit of digging, then Shutterstock is the ideal destination for images in any genre.
Shutterstock is very accommodating when it comes to pricing. They offer various pricing plans, including a pay-as-you-use plan to facilitate the different users. With some of their plans, you can pay as little as $3.81 per photo.
Another great feature of Shutterstock is the online image editor. With the help of this tool, website owners can modify images and even add popular filters to customize the photos further.
All in all, Shutterstock has experience of many years in the royalty-free stock photography industry. Because of this, they offer high-quality images and trouble-free transactions that are unmatched elsewhere.
4. Adobe Stock
That's right! Your favorite photo-editing application has its own premium stock photography website by the name of Adobe Stock. Acquired in 2015 from Fotolia, the Adobe Stock website accepts contributions from photographers all over the world. They also offer high-quality stock photographs from within their own apps, making the whole process quite convenient and time-saving.
Adobe Stock boasts an extensive collection with over 60 million stock photos and vectors in their database. New images are also added on a regular basis, so you will never be short of choices on its platform.
When it comes to pricing plans, Adobe Stock offers bundle packs of a selected number of assets per month. They are paid monthly and give access to all the assets on the platform, including pictures, vectors, 3D images, music, and Adobe After effects templates .
If you are using Creative Cloud alongside for your graphic design needs, then Adobe Stock is the ideal choice for you. It is fully integrated with the platform allowing users to directly work with Photoshop CC or Illustrator CC within the platform. A reputable name in the industry, Adobe Stock is the best choice if you are looking for high-resolution images without worrying about the price tag.
5. Getty Images
If you are looking for editorial-style photographs for your current events blog or publication, then Getty Images is the first stop! It offers the world's best photo library of creative stock photos, vector art illustrations, and stock photography from renowned photographers from all over the world.
The only drawback of Getty Images is the pricing section. Buying pictures from Getty Images is expensive, and you can expect to pay more than $400 for a single download of images, video footage, and 4K resolution images.
However, not many other premium stock photography sites offer editorial style images, and if that's your niche – then Getty Images is your best bet!
6. iStock by Getty Images
A division of Getty Images, iStock is one of the best premium stock photography sites with a vast collection of high-resolution images. Here, you can find everything from generic stock photos to videos, illustrations, music, and much more. The gallery leans towards creative imagery, so you are bound to find something that is suitable for a non-commercial WordPress site.
Their collection boasts both – an Essential and Signature collection. While the essential collection is your basic set of photos, the Signature collection is more unique and offers carefully curated images that enhance the value of the project they are used in.
Compared to some other stock photo sites, iStock offers their photos at a relatively cheaper rate. So, if services like Adobe Stock are out of your budget, iStock is your ideal choice for affordable stock photos without losing on the quality.
iStock has a user-friendly site with a library arranged by categories. It is also highly searchable with filters for keywords and relevant terms to make the process of finding the right image easier.
7. DepositPhotos
Another solution for high-quality stock photographs is DepositPhotos. It’s a well-established stock photo agency with a reputable name in the industry for offering high-quality photographs.
Boasting over 50 million images, DepositPhotos provides images on a subscription module. You can also buy images upfront and use them whenever you want. It also offers a minute collection of free images so if you are running low on cash, make sure to check out their free library for an awesome collection.
It’s website is also easy to use with a neat and simple interface. With the help of the search tools, marketers can easily find their desired images using advanced features like filters and reverse image search tools.
Conclusion
These were just some websites you can use to fill in the visual gap in your WordPress site. You can further make your stock photos visually appealing by using a photo background editor so your stock photos match with the general style and theme of the WordPress theme.
Remember, when used correctly, stock photos are a great resource for fellow marketers. With these premium stock photography sites – you can make your print and digital media stand out from the competitors without hiring a professional photographer. Good luck!
Ludjon, who co-founded Codeless, possesses a deep passion for technology and the web. With over a decade of experience in constructing websites and developing widely-used WordPress themes, Ludjon has established himself as an accomplished expert in the field.
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