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Browsing people's blogs this morning got me to the realization that most are using google images. For those of you who are just taking images from the net you must know about copyright laws. But that's another post. For now i'd rather you use the following sites to get images which are truly free* For free clipart, stay tuned for another day! Here now are those sites in no particular order. 

 

  1. Stockcache
  2. Bigfoto
  3. ilovefreephoto
  4. Cromavista
  5. Yotophoto
  6. Pixelperfectdigital
  7. Stockvault
  8. Burning Well
  9. Unprofound
  10. Diewie Design
  11. Pix
  12. Woophy
  13. Freshpics
  14. Microshots
  15. Ancestryimages
  16. Aaron Free photos
  17. Creativity103
  18. Rutmane
  19. freephotos.com
  20. Gimp-savvy
  21. freephotos.org
  22. Photobucket
  23. Diwiedesign
  24. yotophoto (down?)
  25. Free-stockphotos.com
  26. Image Temple
  27. Kavewall
  28. OneOdDude
  29. Open Stock Photography
  30. font play
  31. Stockcache
  32. Geek Philosopher
  33. Free pixels
  34. Imageafter
  35. Designpacks
  36. freephotos.com
  37. DHD Multimedia
  38. Vintage Pixels
  39. Cepolina
  40. Clipmarks
  41. From old books
  42. Four Bees
  43. freeimages.co.uk
  44. AMG Media Works
  45. Studio 25
  46. Free Media Goo
  47. Morgue File
  48. Twicepix
  49. Barry's free photos
  50. Public Domain photos
  51. Image blowout
  52. Creative Commons
  53. Amazing textures
  54. animation factory
  55. Tripalbum
  56. Texture Warehouse
  57. Tofz
  58. Lightmatter
  59. Photogen
  60. Vintage Pixels
  61. ZurbPhotos
  62. Graphicsarena
  63. PD Photo
  64. Amydgela
  65. DexHaus
  66. digital dreamer
  67. Visipix
  68. Artfavor
  69. BajStock
  70. Freeimages.com
  71. NYPL Digital Gallery
  72. Pixelio
  73. Abstract Influence
  74. Image Orchid
  75. Photo Rack

Some may still find disclaimers pertaining to non-commercial only use notices. (very few) You can still use any of these pictures for blogging purposes on Active Rain. 

For Sally Cheeseman: Hear.org


Note: We decided to make this a top 75 list and move the clipart sites to a seperate post. So as we explained to linda below, this list which was originally comprised of many different types of free graphic sites( 100 of them, before an AR error erased my entire list and we forgot to save it) will now instead focus primarily on free photo download sites, otherwise known as a non-photographer's mecca.

We thought we should mention the differences in these sites as compared to sites such as istockphoto.com. You rarely have to pay truly free sites and when you do it's merely for high resolution images. These sites often ask for donations instead and rely on advertisements to stay afloat. Pictures are oftentimes at original resolutions (5-8megapixel camera or better) so you already get your money's worth.

Note to self: rank these in order of best to worst (this will take a year folks, don't hold your breath, it comes when we went through them all)

Final Update:  Thanks to all those who have taken the time to reference to this, we did it for you so take advantage of it. After 100 posts, these kinds of posts will be for associates only.


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100 Comments on Top 75 Free Photo sites

Thanks! I'm really tired of the same old clipart from Microsoft that's in wmf. formulas that AR won't take.

09/07/2008 06:56 AM by Linda Jandura North Carolina Realtor (Home Buyer & Seller Specialist)

Linda,

actually this list will focus on photography. I will be making another post later in the week that delves specifically with clipart,animations(gif images), etc.

 

09/07/2008 07:02 AM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

I'm a wanna-be photographer and an IStock fan.  This is a wonderful list and I'm glad I found you!

09/07/2008 07:10 AM by Susie Blackmon-Maggie Valley Waynesville NC Realtor/RE Blogger/Photographer (COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates)

Hi Susie, we are glad you enjoyed the list.

The difference between this list and a list that would comprise of sites such as istock is that these sites don't charge money for images* 

* - in some occasions they may charge for high resolution images(poster size) but most are absolutely free and setup as image sharing network sites.

May i suggest bookmarking our site for more information. We house the best of the best in our sidebar.

09/07/2008 07:13 AM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

Thanks for the information

09/07/2008 07:19 AM by Kenneth Cole (Appleseed GMAC Real Estate)

Thanks for the post this was great information and I am bookmarking you for reference in the future . Thanks again

09/07/2008 07:25 AM by Charlie Ragonesi Big Canoe homes, Jasper ,Ball Ground,Benttree,Dahlonega (All Mountain Realty)

I"m trying to add more as i am writing this but it keeps logging me out. STay tuned for the other 50.

09/07/2008 07:33 AM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

Wow, very valuable stuff, thanks, Bob

09/07/2008 07:47 AM by Bob & Bonnie Horning (Homes and Land of Lancaster County)

I've bookmarked your post for future reference. Thanks for sharing the list.

09/07/2008 07:58 AM by Michael Setunsky (Michael's Commercial LLC)

What a Great Post I will be bookmarking this one. thanks for the info

09/07/2008 08:25 AM by Paula Reno Cedar Lake Indiana Realtor, Astro Realty (Astro Realty)

Thank you for sharing. I never realized that there are so many free sites out there.  I am bookmarking this post for future reference.

09/07/2008 08:37 AM by Pam Dent - REALTOR Charlottesville Virginia Homes and Horse Farms (Real Estate III)

This is good news. Sometimes I don't have the right photo - or I don't have any photo - that would help illustrate a point.

Steve

09/07/2008 08:59 AM by Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates)

Thanks for sharing these essential sites -- appreciated!

09/07/2008 11:58 AM by Li Read at Sea to Sky Premier Properties

What a nice list

Thanks for the work in putting it together!

09/07/2008 01:46 PM by Joeann Fossland, Master Certified Coach (Advantage Solutions Group)

Awesome thanks for sharing. I'll have to check some of these out that I havent tried already.

09/07/2008 02:11 PM by Mike Wong Realtor, GRI (Keller Williams Realty Southwest)

another great resource

09/07/2008 02:15 PM by

AWESOME Info.  Thanks for sharing with us and taking the time to put this together.

09/07/2008 02:19 PM by Brian Wray (Wray Realty)

Consider it bookmarked !

09/07/2008 02:26 PM by Bill Gillhespy Fort Myers Beach Realtor (Century 21 Tripower Realty)

Thanks for sharing.  The only pics/graphics I had used were my own... as I am aware of copyright laws.  I am bookmarking your post for future refrence.  Thanks.

Tammy

09/07/2008 02:28 PM by Tammy Lankford/Broker (Lane Realty) Lake Sinclair

Thanks for the list free list. Good to see people actually helping others. Anyone looking for a free list of REO/BPO companies, let me know. Enjoy your day everyone...

09/07/2008 02:37 PM by Mario Gattavara (Coldwell Banker Lake Realty)

This is great information Thank You.

09/07/2008 02:40 PM by Endre Barath,Jr. (Coldwell Banker)

Thanks for the list! Stealing other's photos is WRONG!

09/07/2008 03:03 PM by Susan Hilton Texas Aggie Real Estate College Station Bryan Texas Real Estate (CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc.)

Thanks for taking the time to put this list together and to share it.  Yotophoto has been down for some time.  I am not sure what happened to that one.   They had some great photos.

09/07/2008 03:09 PM by Joan Whitebook, ABR,e-Pro,CEBA Southern New Hampshire (Buyer's Option Realty Services)

Thanks for the great information on the 50 free sites.  I am going to bookmark this and  check them out.  Thanks,

09/07/2008 03:14 PM by Team Honeycutt (Allen Tate)

Thanks for the great information on the 50 free sites.  I am going to bookmark this and  check them out.  Thanks,

09/07/2008 03:14 PM by Team Honeycutt (Allen Tate)

Starting to add more links again to turn it into a master list for 2 reasons. 1) it's now featured and 2)i'm not getting timeout errors again. Keep checking back through the night.

09/07/2008 03:15 PM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

Nice list, but "Some may still find disclaimers pertaining to non-commercial use notices" really bothers me.  Doyou consider blogging a non-commercial use?  I feel that my blog is definitely an advertisement for my services, which makes it a commercial in my opinion although I guess we will have to wait for a few more cease and desist orders and law suits to be sure.

09/07/2008 03:20 PM by Michelle DeRepentigny, *Associate Broker/Broker * Athens, GA (ERA Classic City Realty)

There's only a few. i looked to the best of my ability but some are hidden deep within. i can guarantee however that with certainly all these sites will allow you to use their images without any legal reprocussion.  When speaking of commercial, most often this is pertained to using images for branding and or resale. If just using one of their images for an educational blog about mortages 101 then you don't have to worry.

09/07/2008 03:25 PM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

Thanks its hard finding free pics you can use. I am going out today with my camera and trying to load up.

09/07/2008 03:35 PM by Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate Agent & e-PRO® Realtor® Shane O'Gorman (Eau Claire Realty, Inc.)

We will be supplying our own pictures in the next calendar year which we will share exclusively with Active Rain members, specifically associates of ours. In the meantime yes, these sites should help. I'll be looking daily for new sites so check back regularly.

09/07/2008 03:40 PM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

This list is a GREAT resource.  I now have it bookmarked.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

09/07/2008 03:46 PM by Tracie Mason Holton, Virtual Assistant (Agent Assistant Network)

Thanks, we just were informed by an attorney in our city of Norman, Oklahoma, that we really do need to watch which pictures we put on our sites.  I put the list on my desktop for future referrence.  Thanks for the information

09/07/2008 04:00 PM by Stan McLaughlin (Keller Williams Realty)

K added 15, bringing the total to 65 now. Continuing to add more as we speak. stay tuned. 

09/07/2008 04:00 PM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

Hi there,

Thanks, bookmarked for future use. I've also tried to be careful of what I've been using. Lately they've been pretty much my own, yet every now and then you need something else. Thanks for sharing.

09/07/2008 04:11 PM by Orange Co. Real Estate~Lynda Eisenmann, Broker-Owner, CRS,CRB,GRI,SRES, Brea, CA (Preferred Home Brokers)

Thank you so much for this list. A lot of work!

09/07/2008 04:21 PM by Paul Pival (Prudential Northwest Real Estate)

Thank you so much for sharing this useful list. 

09/07/2008 04:25 PM by Jon Lu (Coldwell Banker Platinum Group)

Great info! I teach a class on Internet Risk for REALTORS(R) and many of us don't realize the impact of the Copyright Laws.

For a great video on copyright visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJn_jC4FNDo

 

Amy Chorew

http://amychorew.com

09/07/2008 04:36 PM by Amy Chorew

What at tremendous resource---I think this was a labor of love for you to compile and share with us. 

09/07/2008 05:31 PM by Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton (Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC)

WOW! Thanks a million for putting this resource together... We really do appreciate all of your effort!

09/07/2008 05:44 PM by Wayne and Lynda Gomillion (Hagan & Hagan GMAC Real Estate)

Brad Andersohn is going to be taking over for us for the next list. Thanks to all those who were able to use this as a reference.  

09/07/2008 06:18 PM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

Thank you for the links.  I am sure it took a lot of work to gather these sites.  I appreciate the effort.

09/07/2008 06:34 PM by Iam Gone (Until Next Time)

thank you for the amazing list of sites -- I am sure they will come in handy.  I book marked your site

09/07/2008 06:51 PM by Scott Hoen, ePro, MBA (eMarketing Services)

Thank you for this huge supply of links. This another great reason why I belong to active rain!

09/07/2008 07:03 PM by Russell Lewis, Broker,CLHMS,GRI (AvenueOne Properties, Inc.)

Bookmarked!  And thank YOU for such a great list to use as a resource.  I appreciate knowing about all of these.  Some I've used in the past, and it's nice to have multiple sites to choose from.

Thank you,
Ann

09/07/2008 07:53 PM by Portsmouth NH Homes Condos - Ann Cummings New Hampshire REALTOR® (RE/MAX Coast to Coast - Portsmouth New Hampshire)

I will be bookmarking the post for future reference, but my favorite photos to use are still my own... luckily, I am able to do that much of the time. 

09/07/2008 08:08 PM by Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Diamond Dwellings Realty)

Thank you so much for putting this list together for everyone!  What an undertaking, but it is definitely appreciated!

09/07/2008 08:16 PM by Jim & Maria Hart ~ Charleston, SC Real Estate (Agent Owned Realty)

I keep logging in and it keep coming up like this...wassupppp guys?

 

Thanks for the link...will check it out...but you know me...I go round the island with my camera on hand! :)

 

 

09/07/2008 08:37 PM by Sally

Thanks!  I love the list of resources, I'm bookmarking this post. Thanks for sharing. -Tamara

09/07/2008 08:43 PM by Tamara Inzunza, Alexandria VA Real Estate Agent (McEnearney Associates, Inc.)

I would suggest that everyone read the terms of service for each of the sites before freely using the photos on your blogs.  Blogs can be considered commercial use and if these sites say NON-COMMERCIAL use you could be in violation of the terms of service.  Tread cautiously!

09/07/2008 09:18 PM by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

It is of course recommended that people use their own  photography whenever possible but at times you may be forced to use stock photography unless you feel like cave dwelling when talking about fossil remains in some god forsaken place 30 miles under the ground (just an example albeit a drastic one)

 These sites were listed for just this purpose but as mentioned there were still a few who stipulated non-commercial only. The vast majority of all those    sites only have problems when you try to resell their stock photography especially in bundle packages. And as long as those images aren't used for        branding purposes. Blogs can be deemed professional but can also be educational in nature. Regardless of a blog's true depiction, treading safely using    the   sites above constitutes far greater freedom of artistic expression than any google image ever could. 

  Always read the terms of service of any site you go on if considering using it for commercial or professional services. Good suggestions Cindy

 

09/07/2008 09:46 PM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

Thanks for the post. I am scared to use google images, although I have used the Fannie Mae office image and a couple images from the local Chamber of Commerce.

Otherwise I use my purchased clipart and my own photos (bad though they are).

Thanks for the free photo sites. A friend had showed me Photobucket last week. The others are mostly new to me.

A well deserved feature.

Richard

09/07/2008 10:16 PM by Richard Smith Mortgages Home Loans FHA TN GA AL (American Acceptance Mortgage, Inc)

Looks like #5 and #43 are the same ... you owe us one more site. :)  Thanks for compiling this wide range of sources. Which 3-5 of these sites would you consider best for real estate blogging?

09/07/2008 10:19 PM by John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)

Thank you! This is useful.

09/07/2008 10:22 PM by Kevin Wood, Tucson, AZ Realtor (Realty Executives)

What a great resource!  Thanks for compiling and sharing this list. 

09/07/2008 10:30 PM by Renee L Norton (Keller Williams Realty)

Candace Robinsonj ust wrote a great tutorial on how to create a banner using only text where she introduced another photo site called Tinypic.

You should check out that blog...it's pretty cool what she did!

09/07/2008 10:31 PM by Garren Grup, REALTOR, GRI… Naples & Bonita Springs, FL (John R. Wood REALTORS)

John Novak,

will do john. Give us a minute.

09/07/2008 11:09 PM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

Thank you. This is a fantastic list. I am not familiar with some of these sites so I see a lot of reading in my near future.

09/07/2008 11:43 PM by Camarillo CA Real Estate Agent/ Mana Tulberg (Beach View Real Estate)

What a great list and it is definitely bookmarked! Thanks.

09/07/2008 11:45 PM by Tigard Oregon Real Estate >> Wayne B. Pruner, GRI (Oregon First)

I will have to take a look at it, thanks for sharing!

Tom Davis

World Class Delaware Realtor

09/07/2008 11:57 PM by Dover Real Estate, Dover Homes For Sale Real Estate & Delaware,Dover's Tom Davis (Delaware Real Estate: Delaware Homes: Delaware, Dover , ERA)

I always wondered where everyone got their pictures.  I did some research before but ended up only using google images.  Thanks for the info.  Aloha!!!

09/08/2008 03:50 AM by Kengo Ueno (R) eCertified, ABR (Prudential Locations LLC)

Terrific Resource!!  THANKS for putting them in a list and sharing...

09/08/2008 05:16 AM by Real Estate Specialist | Brandon, FL | Susie Roscoe (Signature Realty Associates)

Jean,

we went through each site and did not detect any spam. And to tell you honestly if a site had 1 trillion free pics but similar levels of spam then we wouldn't have put it on the list.

John Novak,

k done, thanks for noticing. Now to find some more...

09/08/2008 06:05 AM by Castellum Realty - Lancaster real estate - homes for sale in lancaster county PA (Castellum Realty LLC. - International Real Estate Brokerage)

HELLO!

How did you know I've been searching for this?!  At last!  Thank you because as a realtor, you gotta know that every penny counts!!  I love FREE!!  Did I say thank you?!!?

Have a wonderful week!

09/08/2008 08:26 AM by YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE (LIZ MOORE & ASSOCIATES)

Thanks for a great post.  I have this bookmarked so I can check each site.

09/08/2008 08:26 AM by Deborah Wilson Stark County OH Real Estate (Cutler Real Estate)

Thanks for the info - I usually take my own, but it is good to have options. I bookmarked your post!

09/08/2008 09:38 AM by Sharon Paxson (Prudential California Realty)

Castellum Realty - This post is a wonderful resource that will allow us to dress up our blogs without violating any copywrite laws along the way.  Bookmarked, I'm sure I'll be utilizing some of these down the road.  Thank you.

09/08/2008 10:44 AM by Jason Sardi, Pennsylvania Mortgage Broker (First Choice Equity Group Inc.)

I love AR for this reason, one of us has always knows the answer and if they are kind enough to post their knowledge we all save ourselves hours of research on google. Thank you for a great post and list

09/08/2008 11:06 AM by James Engel KW Beverly Hills (Keller Williams Realty Beverly Hills)

Thank you!  This has been printed out and saved!  :) 

09/08/2008 11:22 AM by Ruthman Real Estate (Ruthman Real Estate)

Great Post! You have truely performed a service to all activerainers!

09/08/2008 11:23 AM by Real Estate Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Ryan Field (998home.com Real Estate)

Thanks I'll come back to browse this list. Although, I love to take pictures and believe that a great image or some good "eye candy" can really make a post great. I use iphoto and get their $1 small images or use my own. I'm not a fan of clip art.

09/08/2008 11:46 AM by Judy Peterson (Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors Devon )

I'm so glad someone finally blogged about this.  I've been searching for "free" pictures for a while.  Thanks for sharing.

09/08/2008 12:30 PM by Valerie Osterhoudt (Johnson Real Estate, Inc.)

Wow - great list.  Thank you!

09/08/2008 12:54 PM by Vicki Lloyd ~ MBA, ACRE, e-PRO, Realtor Lake Forest and South Orange County, CA (The Real Estate Professionals)

Wow - great list.  Thank you!

09/08/2008 12:54 PM by Vicki Lloyd ~ MBA, ACRE, e-PRO, Realtor Lake Forest and South Orange County, CA (The Real Estate Professionals)

What an extensive list of sites and such a great contribution to the membership:-)

09/08/2008 01:11 PM by Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant (Real Skillz)

Thanks for posting this huge list for free photos!  I am always looking for great blog pictures!  I am bookmarking this forever!!!

09/08/2008 01:22 PM by Janice Sutton - Temecula Murrieta Home Stager - Home Staging (1st Stage Property Transformations )