As you may have observed, I have changed the template of my blog and the photos I have used lately now looks better and prettier (at least in my opinion). Because of this, I am more pumped to get the momentum going and update the blog as often as I can. There are times when I make the stock photo as the inspiration of the blog post itself.
If you're new to blogging or looking to make your blog look more polished and presentable, I am writing this post to share to you my sources of stock photos (styled, mock-up scenes or just plain lovely crisp photos).
I still use my own photos sometimes or I make collages using Photoshop but when I feel like I needed to use something pretty, something creative and something that would wow just about anyone, I turn to my resources. Let me share some of the best photography resources that I utilize.
CREATIVE MARKET
Creative Market is my ultimate wasteland. This is where I buy premium fonts, design bundles, graphics, stock photos, templates and so many other things. This is truly a graphic designer's heaven. Anyone can benefit from the overflowing creative materials in this website. It's a bonus that every month they release a design bundle that will set you back only a few dollars (you can save more than a thousand dollars each time). They also release 6 free items every Monday so you better watch out for that.
HAUTE CHOCOLATE
Haute Chocolate offers a monthly or annual subscription plan that grants you access to beautiful styled stock photos. The library contains styled photos created specifically for women entrepreneurs. Once you become a member, you can download the photos in the library as many times as you want. If you want to see photos of members using the images, browse through #HCStyledStock in Instagram. Click this link to get a free sample now.
UNSPLASH
Unsplash is a free repository of high resolution stock images. You can do whatever you want with the photos that you download. Ten photos are released every 10 days. This site is beautifully curated and ready for the taking anytime. Just make sure you have enough storage in your computer as I will bet that you will be downloading most of the images if not all. I have a folder specifically dedicated for my Unsplash photos. Genius!
STOCKSNAP
Stocksnap is another online source for beautiful photos. What's good is that all photos are free from copyright restrictions and no attribution is required. I have used a few images from Stocksnap in my blog and I absolutely love it. Long term vision - to create an amazing community of photographers that want to share their work with the world. Aside from using the photos in your blog or other social media networks, I suggest for you to print in large format, frame and display in your home office or living room.
KATE MAXWELL
Kate Maxwell has so much to offer in her Creative Market shop. Her styled stock images cater to growing businesses that could benefit from branding materials. She also occasionally gives out freebies in her Instagram account and her blog. I won the trick or treat inspired photo she released last Halloween. Her stock images have photo frame set-ups that would be prefect for showcasing your art or any print design. Her shop contains simple images as well as photos styled in an elaborate manner.
Are you also a fan of stock photos as well as styled stock photography? If you have any other resources that I have not mentioned, please feel free to share.
LET'S CONNECT
