How to Easily Find Stock Photos for Commercial Use

The world has never seen as many talented content creators as we see now. Creative photographers, graphic designers, illustrators—you name it. Naturally, we want to use their works to improve our own projects, whether for business or personal purposes. However, obtaining permission to use these images might be difficult.

Fortunately, many websites offer stock visuals that can be legally used for branding, marketing campaigns, and creative projects. Another problem we now face is learning how to sort through the millions of stock images to pick the best one.

This guide provides valuable insights on how to refine your search and identify the ideal commercial-ready, free-to-use stock photos for your requirements. Keep reading to learn more!

What are stock photos?

Stock photographs are high-quality visuals licensed for specific uses, both print and digital. You can create everything from brand design and packaging to advertising and social media posts with stock images. 

What are the benefits of using stock pictures?

Unlike original content created specifically for your project, stock pictures are easily accessible and affordable, saving you time and money. They are perfect for when you need high-quality images quickly and don’t have the resources to create your own.  

Plus, you get access to high-quality, diverse content without having to hire a photographer, spend hours searching for the right shot, or ask permission to use visuals. But the best part—you can have legal protection and peace of mind if you comply with licensing requirements.

Pro tip: Check out royalty-free photos for commercial use by Depositphotos to explore a wide selection of visual options at an affordable price.

Key stock photography statistics and trends

• Depositphotos, Shutterstock, Alamy, and Adobe Stock are the four biggest stock photo marketplaces in the world right now.
• You can find 2.3 billion stock images online, including 210 million editorial files and 20 million free stock photos;
• Marketing and advertising agencies, graphic designers, social media managers, media outlets, and bloggers are the primary users of stock photography;
• Stock photos make up 34% of visual content used by marketers;
• AI-powered imagery, sentimental photography, dark-themed visuals, diversity-focused images of people, mixed media collages, retro-style imagery, aerial photography, and artisanal aesthetics in photography are the biggest photo trends of 2025.

How to source stock images for commercial purposes

Find a platform with commercially safe, free-to-use stock photos

To enjoy all the benefits of stock content websites, first, you need to find one with a vast collection of files and a wide range of themes and styles. Second, find out if the images are available for free or if you need to pay for a license. It’s a good sign when a platform offers both options for commercial use. This way, you can choose what works best for your budget. 

The next step is to check what licensing options this website can offer. It’s best if they provide royalty-free images for commercial use, as this will ensure you can use the photos legally without worrying about copyright issues. Lastly, check usage restrictions, even for free platforms, and understand attribution requirements when applicable.

1. Understanding Stock Photo Licensing

Why it matters: Not all “free” stock images can be used for business. Learn the key licensing terms:

• Royalty-Free (RF): Pay once, use multiple times.
• Rights-Managed (RM): Pay per use, with restrictions.
• Creative Commons (CC): Some are free, but terms vary.
• Public Domain (CC0): Free for any use, no attribution needed.

Pro Tip: Always check the license directly on the stock photo website before using an image.

2. Best Free Stock Photo Websites for Commercial Use

Here are the top free sources with commercial-use-friendly images:

• Unsplash
• Pexels
• Pixabay
• Gratisography

Pro Tip: While free stock photos are great, they are often overused. For more unique, high-quality images, consider premium options.

3. Best Paid Stock Photo Websites for Businesses

For exclusive, high-resolution images, consider premium stock sites:

• Shutterstock
• Adobe Stock
• Getty Images

Why choose premium?

• Exclusive content not found on free sites
• Higher resolution and better quality
• Less risk of overuse in branding

4. How to Ensure a Stock Image is Truly Free for Commercial Use

Avoid copyright infringement by checking:

• The license is directly on the stock photo site
• Whether attribution is required
• If there are restrictions on use in advertising or branding

Pro Tip: Use Reverse Image Search (Google Lens, TinEye) to check if an image has been used elsewhere improperly.

5. Alternative Ways to Source Unique Stock Images

If you want more original and exclusive visuals, try:

• AI-Generated Images (e.g., MidJourney, DALL·E, Adobe Firefly)
• Custom Illustrations (hire on Fiverr, Upwork)
• Taking Your Own Photos (unique to your brand)

Go to the section with free pictures for commercial use

To get free stock pictures to use in marketing collateral, brand campaigns, and creative projects, you need to find a dedicated space with free files. Several websites offer this option, including Unsplash, Depositphotos, and Pixabay.

For example, Depositphotos has a separate section and search bar for free stock photos, editorial files, vector images, and videos. However, if you search for images in their 300 million+ library, you’ll see a mix of free and paid options. Free files will have a tag with the same name.

Use visual search to find relevant visuals

Text searches on stock photo sites are often limited by your knowledge of how to describe what you’re looking for. Your keywords may lack creativity, especially if you’re not a frequent user. Visual search, on the other hand, is another proven way to find relevant visuals on stock image websites. 

Visual search allows you to upload a photo or paste a URL to find similar pictures. Take visual references from Pinterest, Behance, or any other source to find the copyright-free stock image. But even if you can’t find the exact image you’re looking for, a visual search can still lead you to pictures with the same aesthetic that might be just as good for your project.

Explore curated collections of free commercial stock photos 

Look for curated content collections on stock photo platforms if you trust the tastes of individuals who are passionate about photography. They are usually handpicked by content experts who analyze hundreds of photos a day; therefore, they know what makes an image stand out. 

Also, curated image collections are often organized by themes, styles, and aesthetics. As a result, you’ll not only find ready photo solutions but also visual trends, inspiration, and new ideas for your project.

Create commercially safe stock pictures using AI image generators

In rare cases where your image request is too specific to be found online, you can turn to an AI image generator. But not just any generator! You want to choose one that meets legal requirements, just like stock photos. 

Look for AI image generators on well-known stock content platforms, such as Depositphotos. You can be sure the AI-powered tool they offer will create original, commercially safe visuals that are exclusively licensed for you. Therefore, you will have peace of mind when using images you generate with AI. 

In conclusion

The modern world has a vibrant visual scene with plenty of free pictures for commercial use. So, don’t let a lack of budget and an in-house creative team stop you from achieving commercial success. Learn how to utilize stock content platforms effectively to access high-quality, aesthetically pleasing visuals and elevate your brand.

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