i saw a post on my dash with image sites that basically was like “it’s okay to use pictures off pinterest etc. for your edits because it’ll be hard for the original photographer to find and sue you,” which, um, made me a bit annoyed, so here is a list of 100% free stock photo sites, many of which have quite aesthetic-y photos! please do not steal photos in your work, guys!
From this post are the following links, placed into different categories (best/ very good/ good/ okay, with explanations why. Not sure how active all of these are atm.
subtlepatterns – tiling images (transparent png files with a variety of. well, patterns.)
transparenttextures – haven’t used this at all but it was saved in my drafts so idk how it works. however, since it has built itself up “standing on the shoulders of subtlepatterns” I’m assuming these are also transparent png files that tile.
unsplash – free photography. high res, completely free, no need to credit, although their license page mentions that credit is appreciated.
depositphotos– free registration to get “royalty free stock photos, vector images, and videos”. Though it’s subscription based, you can get “free files of the week” and the free photos consist of randomly(?) picked stock imagery/footage, though this is through their weekly email promo thing.
creativecommons – search the creative commons and find work you can use for your thing. Just make sure that the specific CC license attached to it is appropriate for your work.
Good luck! If you really want a specific photo that’s behind a price tag, please consider paying the money or finding another option. These artists who create these photos are having a hard enough time making ends meet.
