Introduction

Hey there. Ever found the perfect image on Google, only to wonder, Wait, is this even free? I’ve been there too! One of the biggest hurdles when starting a blog (or even when you’ve been at it for a while) is finding gorgeous, high-quality photos that you can legally use without shelling out a fortune. Lucky for us, there are some amazing sites out there offering beautiful, aesthetic images for free. But before you dive in, let’s quickly cover some important legal stuff you should know.

Are Photos on Google Free?

The short answer: No. Just because you can see an image doesn’t mean you can legally use it. Google Images pulls photos from all over the web, many of which are copyrighted. Using these photos without permission could land you in legal trouble. It’s always safer (and easier) to stick to sites that provide free images under specific licenses.

Different Licenses & What They Mean

When using free image websites, you’ll often come across terms like Creative Commons, Public Domain, or Attribution Required. These are the legal licenses that determine how you can use a photo. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Creative Commons Zero (CC0): This is the no copyright reserved category of the Creative Commons toolkit. The creator of the pic is relinquishing all rights over their work and dedicating those rights to public domain. You can use the image for anything, including commercial projects, without asking for permission or giving credit. Sites like Unsplash and Pexels primarily offer CC0 images.
• A Creative Commons (CC) license is one of several public copyright licenses that enable the free distribution of an otherwise copyrighted “work.” The creator is giving other people the right to use and share the work that they have created.
• Attribution Required: Some sites ask you to credit the photographer when you use their images. It’s a small thing to do in exchange for a stunning photo.
• Commercial Use: Always double-check if the image can be used for commercial purposes (like a blog with affiliate links or products for sale).

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Legal Terms You Should Know Before Downloading Pics

Before diving into the free photo websites, here are a few key terms that might pop up:

• Royalty-Free: This doesn’t mean the image is completely free. It usually means you pay once and then can use it multiple times without additional fees. You don’t have to pay royalties every time you use. That gives you certain number of rights to use the image as specified. It is not copyright-free. You are being given the right to use the photo in certain ways.  You can’t claim ownership of the photo itself or sell it for profit.
• Public Domain: These images are free to use for any purpose without permission as no intellectual property rights exist. They can be used without any restrictions whatsoever. However, not every free image falls under this category, so don’t assume!
• Editorial Use Only: This means you can’t use the image for promotional content or ads but can use it for blog posts that discuss or describe something (like a news story).

Now, let’s dive into my personal favorite spots for finding totally free, aesthetic images for your blog! They too have a page with the terms of service where they tell you exactly how you can use their images. 

1. Pixabay

Pixabay is a treasure trove of high-quality images. Whether you’re looking for lifestyle shots, nature photos, or tech images, they’ve got it all. The best part? Almost every image is free for commercial use with no attribution required. I’ve used Pixabay countless times when I need a beautiful photo in a pinch, and it never disappoints!

SEO Tip:

Search for long-tail keywords like “aesthetic lifestyle photography free” or “minimalist stock images CC0” on Pixabay to find those hidden gems.

2. Unsplash

If you’re after gorgeous, high-resolution images with a touch of artistry, Unsplash is your go-to. The photographers here have an eye for the aesthetically pleasing, making it a favorite for bloggers in niches like fashion, travel, and design. You don’t need to give credit, but it’s always appreciated if you do!

SEO Tip:

Use keywords like “free Unsplash images for blogs” or “artistic stock photos” when you’re describing your photo sources in your blog content.

3. Pexels

Pexels offers stunning free images and videos! I especially love using Pexels when I need something super specific. With its handy search tool, you can easily find niche images like “cozy home office setups” or “Instagram-worthy flat lays.” The best part? They’re free for personal and commercial use.

SEO Tip:

Consider including SEO phrases like “free aesthetic blog photos” and “stock photos for commercial use” when optimizing blog posts.

4. Kaboompics

Kaboompics is a bit lesser-known but no less valuable. The images here are chic and modern, perfect for bloggers who want to keep their content looking fresh and on-trend. What’s even cooler is that you can search by color palette, so your photos will always match your branding. Kaboompics images are free to use, but check for any required attribution.

SEO Tip:

Include phrases like “stylish free stock images” or “Kaboompics aesthetic photos” to capture niche search traffic.

5. Burst by Shopify

Burst by Shopify is great if you run a business blog and need crisp, professional-looking images. I often turn to Burst when I need photos that look polished without being too “stock-y.” Since it’s created by Shopify, many of the images are tailored for e-commerce, so you’ll find photos of products, flat lays, and people working.

SEO Tip:

Try adding “e-commerce stock photos” or “business blog images free” to boost your SEO rankings for business-related content.

6. Picjumbo

Picjumbo is another fantastic resource for free images. Whether you’re after food photography, travel shots, or office vibes, this site has a wide variety to choose from. They also offer a paid premium membership for access to even more exclusive content. I love grabbing a quick image from here when I need something that feels personal and unique.

SEO Tip:

Optimize your posts with phrases like “Picjumbo free aesthetic photos” and “blog stock photos free download.”

Wrapping It Up

Using high-quality, aesthetic images can make or break your blog’s visual appeal. And the good news? You don’t need to break the bank to get stunning photos—just make sure you’re sourcing them from reputable sites like Pixabay, Unsplash, Pexels, Kaboompics, Burst by Shopify, and Picjumbo.

By the way, these are the exact sites I use to keep my blog visually appealing without worrying about copyright issues. Happy blogging, and here’s to making your blog look gorgeous with free photos!

Let me know in comments if this was helpful and if you know of other free sites that would have free aesthetic pics.

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