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When I first started my blog, finding beautiful, high-quality images felt like a full-time job.
I didn’t have the budget to pay for expensive stock photos, but I also didn’t want to settle for the overused ones everyone else was using.
Now that I’ve been blogging (and pinning) for a few years, I’ve found some reliable go-to sources that I keep coming back to.
Whether you’re building a brand, designing pins, or just want your blog to look polished and professional, these are seven of the best places I personally use to find high-quality stock images.
The first thing you need to know if you are looking for images for your blog is that if the pictures are not your own, you NEED permission to use them.
Buying stock images gives you permission to use the images.
There are also free websites that allow you to use their images.
BUT if you find an image on Google, you can’t just put it on your blog without permission.
This could get you in a lot of legal trouble.
It is not worth it.
This is why I recommend these tips and websites when I am going about adding stock images to my own website.
High-Quality Stock Images
1. Kaboompics
Kaboompics is one of my favourite hidden gems.
The photos are modern, neutral-toned, and honestly perfect for blog headers, Pinterest pins, or social media graphics.
I love that the photographer behind the site, Karolina, includes a color palette with each photo so helpful when I’m designing around a theme.
Plus, all the photos are free to use with no attribution required, which is a huge bonus.
The thing you need to know about free images though, it that Google has likely already seen them.
So, although they are pretty, you aren’t creating unique images.
This isn’t a problem when you are first starting out but it is important to know that unique images do better on both Google and on Pinterest.
2. Depositphotos
This one is a paid option, but it’s totally worth it.
I use Depositphotos when I need something really specific, like a certain aesthetic, object, or background that I can’t find elsewhere.
The quality is top-notch and the variety is huge.
I like to buy credits when they’re on sale (AppSumo sometimes has amazing deals), and then I just download what I need over time.
3. Haute Stock
If you love clean, feminine, lifestyle photography, Haute Stock is a dream.
I use their photos often for Pinterest and blog posts, especially when I want a soft, minimal look.
It’s a membership site, so you pay monthly or annually for access to their entire library.
It’s an investment, but if you’re growing a brand with a specific aesthetic, it’s completely worth it.
You can get 15% off if you use this code: 0e2d1de026
4. Dupe
Dupe is a newer discovery for me, and I’m obsessed.
They have a great mix of editorial-style photography and lifestyle imagery.
It’s great if you want to avoid that typical “stock photo” feel.
Some images are free, and others are available with a paid license, so there’s something for everyone.
I’ve used it for blog graphics and even some social posts.
5. Canva
I use Canva almost every day for designing pins, creating blog graphics, and making lead magnets.
If you have a Pro account, you get access to a massive library of stock photos right inside the platform.
It saves so much time not having to download and upload images between platforms.
If you’re already using Canva for design, this is a no-brainer.
6. Pinterest (Using the Embed Feature)
This is a trick I use more often than I probably should: embedding pins directly from Pinterest into my blog posts.
It’s a great way to add visual interest without uploading or hosting the images yourself.
Just make sure the pin links back to the original creator and that you’re using it to supplement your content, not replace it.
(I do this a lot when curating inspiration roundups or tutorials.)
7. Taking Your Own Photos
Sometimes the best stock photo is one you take yourself.
I’m not a professional photographer by any means, but I’ve learned how to style a flat lay or snap a clean shot with natural light.
I’ve used my iPhone, a ring light, and a few cheap props to create custom images that are totally unique to my blog and brand.
This is especially useful for recipe posts or anything more personal.
What about AI Images?
I have been deleting and replacing any AI Images on my blog and Pinterest.
AI is in a very tricky place right now, and so in my opinion, I am avoiding it.
I think AI can be helpful, but at this point, switching from AI images to real, high-quality stock images increased my Pinterest by 75%.
So for the time being, I am avoiding all things AI and just doing everything the old-fashioned way.
I think using AI can also affect your chance of getting into an ad agency or possibly getting demonitized in the future.
So do what is best for you and your budget but I would avoid it.
My Final Thoughts
You don’t need a huge budget or fancy camera gear to find (or create) beautiful stock images.
Between free websites like Kaboompics and tools you might already be using like Canva, there are so many ways to elevate your content.
I’ve used all of these options for different purposes over the years—and they’ve each helped me create a more polished, professional-looking blog and Pinterest presence.
This article is all about 7 places to get high-quality stock images.
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