You HAVE TO HAVE quality photos for your social media images. After all, social media is all about catching the reader’s eye with a gorgeous image.

There are many free stock photos out there – see my list of the top 12 FREE photo sites HERE.

But…. there are only so many GOOD free images. After a while, you tend to see the same photos over and over again.

Plus, you want THE perfect photo… you don’t always find that on the free sites.

So, when you’re ready…

Where should you invest in a stock photo membership?

 

Here are my top 8 recommended general stock photo sites:

(For most recommendations, I’ve used their ‘About Us’ info.)

1. BigStock Photo

Bigstock is your fast, easy-to-use marketplace for quality stock images. They offer over 87 million royalty-free photographs and illustrations from talented photographers and artists around the globe, available for almost any purpose.

BigStockPhoto was founded in Davis, California, in the fall of 2004 and quickly grew into one of the Web’s leading royalty-free stock image communities. In 2009 BigStockPhoto was acquired by Shutterstock, the biggest subscription-based image library in the world. BigStockPhoto adopted a fresh new look and a shorter name, Bigstock, in 2010.

 

2. Shutterstock

Shutterstock claims over 1 billion images, video clips, and music tracks downloaded. There are over 250 million images with 2000,000 more added every day. They have world-class content that comes from over 650,000 contributors. Shutterstock has customers in 150+ countires and their site is in 21 languages.

 

3. Adobe Stock

Millions of high-quality images, graphics, videos, 3D objects and templates. Editorial Images. Video now available. Integrated in Adobe apps. Types: Business and healthcare, Authentic lifestyle, Science and technology, Travel and nature.

 

4. Dreamstime Photos

Dreamstime is one of the world leaders in stock photography and a reliable supplier of high quality digital images at affordable prices. Online since 2000 as a Royalty-Free stock photography website, Dreamstime has evolved into a powerful and active community-based site. The exquisite stock image gallery you can browse today has been uploaded by photographers from all over the world, shot on film or digital. To ensure you receive the best content, all images are reviewed and approved by experienced editors. The Dreamstime database is renewed with thousands of fresh images and titles on a daily basis.

 

5. Getty Images

Find the perfect royalty-free image for your next project from the world’s best photo library of creative stock photos, vector art illustrations, and stock photography.

Getty Images, Inc., is an American visual media company, with headquarters in Seattle, Washington. It is a supplier of stock images, editorial photography, video and music for business and consumers with an archive of over 200 million assets.

6. iStock

iStock by Getty Images is one of the world’s leading stock content marketplaces, offering millions of hand-picked premium images at ridiculously low prices that you can only get from them. Founded in 2000, iStock created the crowd-sourced stock industry and became the original source for user-generated stock photos, vectors and illustrations, and video clips.

For more than 15 years, they’ve given artists a platform to make money with their passions by licensing their stock content to businesses and individuals around the world for use in a wide variety of projects. Explore Millions of Exclusive Content.

 

7. Deposit Photo

Depositphotos is a commercial platform that brings authors of high-quality licensed stock photos, graphics, vectors and videos together with appreciative buyers. Thanks to the efforts of talented professionals from all over the globe and their world-class technical solutions, Deposit Photo is able to build a perfect place to marry business with creativity.

More than 130 million high-quality royalty-free stock images and high-definition footage – at the best prices – to fill all your creative needs.

 

8. Megapixl

Because the image matters. Megapixl has put together a unique collection of distinctive Royalty free stock photos and footage from photographers and artists all over the world. They’ve curated the content to ensure you get the best. Megapixl launched in 2016 with an amazing collection of more than +40M stock media, all Royalty Free.

Straightforward pricing, simple licensing structure, hand picked content, a dedicated team and immense love for high quality photography are just a few of the things they bring creatives looking for the perfect visual.

 

 

The above 8 sites are general photos of every kind – anything that you can imagine. Most have thousands, tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of images.

IF you are looking for a more feminine type of photo, one for your online business or blog, that generally caters to women,

Here are my top 7 recommended feminine styled stock photos:

 

9. Lightstock

Lightstock is a two-sided marketplace that collects, curates, and licenses stock content to the faith-based community. By offering stock content that can’t be found anywhere else – content that helps break down the cheesy stereotype found in Christian media.

They exist to elevate the story their users are telling.

 

10. Kate Max

As a KateMaxStock member, you get INSTANT ACCESS to the entire image library of thousands of images. They add new images every single month and happily take requests.  Valued at over $10,000 – they keep their membership affordable for small business owners so that you have the high-quality images you need to grow your business, without killing your budget.

 

11. HauteStock

You need beautiful blog post graphics, scroll-stopping photos for social media, polished promotional images and so much more. That’s why they created Haute Stock, the original styled stock subscription for women entrepreneurs.

The images you use on your website and social media can instantly attract and inspire your dream client, or they can turn people off right away. Using the right images gives your brand personality and credibility from the start.

 

12. CreateHER Stock

The founder, Neosha Gardner, searched social media where she asked around and learned that she wasn’t the only one who had major trouble finding authentic stock photography that featured women of color. She took her love for design, creativity, and photography and chose to create this platform. In July of 2015, CreateHER stock was born.

 

13. Styled Stock Society

Elle creates gorgeous feminine stock photography. Beautiful images for your female entrepreneur projects. “A stylish stock photography membership, to empower women like you to market their brands with gorgeous images – that don’t break the bank!’

 

14. Her Creative Studio

Carefully thought out and beautifully styled imagery loaded with gorgeous details and the flexibility to add your own touches. Search the best collection of styled stock images on the web and get excited about building your brand, blog or business.

 

15. Girl Boss Stock

Girl Boss Stock is perfect for busy bloggers and entrepreneurs who need gorgeous photos for their brand, but don’t have the time or talent to take their own.

In 2019, standing out is more important than ever. But it doesn’t have to be hard work. Use Girl Boss images, presets, graphics, branding kits + Insta Story creators to build an unforgettable brand.

Never hunt for an image again. Always have amazing content to post. Develop your own unique style with our elements. And with our help, be remembered + beloved by your tribe. Join the styled stock membership 150+ girl bosses trust.

 

 

There are so many beautiful images out there. Now, the hard part, which one to choose.

Let me know which site you decide to use or if you already are a member somewhere, how are you liking it?