I’m going to ask you to imagine something for a moment. Imagine that one day you are at home relaxing and all of a sudden your door bell rings. If you are like me you think, “What have I ordered recently?” or possibly “Is it Girl Scout Cookie Season already?” Upon opening the door you don’t find a package or a young girl bearing cookies but instead, you find me. You’re confused (but excited ;)) and notice that I have my hand behind my back. And I explain, “I am here to bring you a gift for being such a great reader!” You’re excited as I start to bring my hand from behind my back only to see a… grocery bag. Confused you open to grocery bag and find a Tiffany and Co. bracelet. There is no iconic blue box anywhere insight but none the less, the bracelet is from Tiffany’s.
What does this have to do with anything? Hang with me, I have one more scenario to walk you through before I explain.
Imagine the same scenario, only this time, instead of handing you the grocery bag I hand you a Iconic Tiffany Blue Box with the same exact bracelet inside. In both scenarios, the gift was the exact same quality, from the exact same place. The only difference? The presentation of the gift.
You might not think that Stock Photos are important but look back at this scenario. You can have excellent quality articles on your blog, however if the presentation of these articles are subpar, then nobody is going to want to stick around to see if the articles are any good. Especially new visitors. As a blogger, you want to make your site and articles look like they are in a iconic Tiffany blue box. When people see the box they stop and wait to see what’s inside. When you have a grocery bag, people simply walk past you because everyone carries grocery bags at some point.
That is where Stock Photos come in to play. Let’s face it, not everyone has the talent or skill to take good photos for their blog. And those of us who do, probably don’t have time. Lucky for you, you can buy stock photos memberships or on a select few sites (as I will explain in a bit) you can get free stock photos. These photos are professional pictures that are sold to bloggers and businesses alike to use for just about anything. Stock photos are your iconic tiffany blue box. They are the presentation that will bring the reader in.
When readers see pretty pictures, they tend to be curious to find out what the pretty pictures represent, that’s how you get the reader to stay.
By now you might be asking, “Ok, so where do I find these awesome pictures?” I have created a list of 10 Websites that Provide Free Stock Photos (and some that offer paid memberships as well) to help you get started in the world of Stock Photos.
As I got through websites where you can get Free Stock Photos, my suggestion would be to get the free images and play with them, and find one website that you love and get a membership to that website. Also, please take note of what you are and are NOT allowed to use the stock images for!
#1: Haute Stock(Style Stock Library)
Haute Stock has many classically feminine pictures that have pops of color throughout. To get the free images simply sign up for their newsletter to get a Free Batch of Haute Stock pictures to try!
#2: Styled Stock Society
Styled Stock Society has many awesome feminine stock pictures for purchase. However, to get some for free just sign up for their newsletter and receive free images!
#3: Ivory Mix
Ivory Mix is a GREAT website to get LOADS of free stock images when you sign up for her newsletter. She is absolutely awesome! She has several different color schemes that she uses and is always giving out information on how to make stock images custom.
#4: PixiStock
Pixistock has many lovely images to fit any brand. And, they are all very feminine! All you have to do is sign up for her newsletter!
#5: Boss Latina
Boss Latina has some of my favorite stock images around. They are so simple but are very classically feminine as well! Sign up for her newsletter to get free stock photos!
#6: Wonderfelle
Wonderfelle has beautiful feminine stock photos and I can’t seem to get enough! Sign up for her newsletter to get 10 Free Stock Photos!
#8: Stock Shop by Shay Cochrane
These pictures are simply to die for! They are awesome and feminine! Sign up for her newsletter to receive free stock photos!
#9: Dabbles and Babbles
Dabbles and Babbles has a lot of simple yet FUN stock photos! She adds different patterns and pops of color to make her pictures unique. Go to the link to get 12 Free Stock photos!
#10: Solopreneur Sidekick
Finally, Solopreneur Sidekick is an awesome site where you can get 10 free stock images for Free! She has a different take on “feminine” with simple pictures and modest colors.
There you have it! Play with the photos and find some that you love! I look forward to seeing how you “dress up” your blogs!
If you haven’t yet created a blog and want to start one, check out my post about Building Your Dream Blog!
If you have started a blog and want to get a FREE Blog Planner, sign up here!
Happy Blogging!
Thanks for sharing these resources!
Of Course!