Top 10 Sites For FREE eLearning Stock Photos

Top 10 Sites For FREE eLearning Stock Photos
Summary: Visuals are a key component of your eLearning course design. But what if your eLearning budget doesn't allow for high quality images? In this article, I'll share the top 10 free eLearning stock photo sites that you should check out.

Top 10 Sites For FREE eLearning Stock Photos

High resolution images add value to your eLearning course design by helping online learners connect with the subject matter and simplifying complex ideas. However, finding suitable images for your eLearning course at a reasonable price can be challenging, as many royalty free sites charge a hefty fee for monthly subscriptions and download credits. The good news is that there are a number of stock photos sites that are absolutely free-of-charge. Here are the top 10 sites that you may want to pay a visit.

1. FreeDigitalPhotos

A royalty free photo site that features thousands of high quality images, all of which are free of charge. You do need to attribute the creator and only one size is available. However, you do have the option to purchase larger sizes that are copyright-free, meaning that you won't have to credit the source. FreeDigitalPhotos covers a wide range of topics, such as: metaphors and symbols, people, nature, transportation, travel, and science and technology, just to name a few.

2. Unsplash

Offers a large collection of royalty free photos, with 10 new images uploaded every 10 days. It's a great place to go for high resolution landscape pics, as well as inspirational photos. There is no need to attribute the source in order to use the images in your eLearning course design. The site also features a "Collections" section where you can find peruse collections like "The Great Indoors" and "Earth and Planets".

3. Pixabay

A Creative-Commons Zero site that features a vast array of free images that you can download, edit, and incorporate into your eLearning course or promotional materials. You don't have to attribute the source and there are no commercial-use restrictions, but some of the content may be copyrighted. For example, some of the models or objects may be trademarked. So, make sure to check the fine print before you hit the download button to avoid issues down the line.

4. Picjumbo

This royalty free site has one of the most intuitive interfaces and you can easily search for specific keywords. Their categories range from abstract and business to fashion and technology. Attribution is recommended, and you can use the photos for commercial purposes, but not reselling. The site offers a premium membership, which grants you access to unpublished photos, thematic photo collections, and an "all-in-one pack".

5. SuperFamous Studios

The brainchild of Folkert Gorter, a Dutch artist who specializes in stunning nature, landscapes, and architecture photography. Most of the images are abstract, which makes them ideal for eLearning course backgrounds. However, they can also add a dramatic flair to dull or dry subject matter. All images are provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license, which means that you'll have to credit the source if you use any of the high resolution photos.

6. New Old Stock

If you are looking for historical photos, New Old Stock should be at the top of your list. It features vintage images that are straight from the public archives. As such, they are copyright-free. The site includes a "Rights & etc." section that provides clear usage instructions.

7. IM Free

A large collection of free images from around the web. Some photos require attribution, while others don't have any restrictions whatsoever. To look for the perfect photo, simply type in a keyword in the search box or view their collections, which include business, technology, health, education, and occupational images. The site even offers a button maker that you can use to design eLearning navigation icons for your eLearning course.

8. StockSnap.io

Stock Snap is one of the easiest sites to use, thanks to its built-in search engine and advanced filters. You can sort photos by their view count, number of downloads, and even see which photos are currently trending. All of the images are provided under a Creative Commons license and you don't have to include any attributions. They upload hundreds of new high quality photos each week, meaning that you always have fresh material for your eLearning course. StockSnap is a branch of Snappa, a graphic design tool. After downloading the images, you can always edit them, if you need to crop, resize, or add text.

9. Picography

Features a vast assortment of high resolution royalty free photos, ranging from close-up animal pics to urban landscape shots. You don't need to attribute the source and you can also use them for commercial purposes. The site also features a search box that allows you to narrow down the gallery. Picography even delivers free images to your inbox if you provide them with your email address.

10. Freestocks

Provides free stock photos for personal and commercial use under a Creative Commons Zero license. Their categories include nature, technology, people, architecture, and a variety of other topics. Freestocks also allows you to search their gallery using hashtags, which can save time if you're looking for a popular subject. You don't have to credit the source, but the site does encourage it.

Remember that many free stock photo sites have certain restrictions or terms of use. Some websites ask that you notify the photographer before using their pics, while others may require written permission. Be sure to check their FAQs or "about us" page just to be safe and steer clear of copyright issues. When in doubt, send them a message via email or social media to ask about their policies.

Now that you know where to find free stock photos, read this article Images In eLearning: 6 Best Practices To Choose Images For Your eLearning Course to learn the 6 best practices for choosing the best image to be used in your eLearning course design.