Photo courtesy of Epicerie du Blog on Creative Market*
You know that flatlay look where an artist arranges some über cute, color-coordinated items on a white or neutral background and snaps them in just the right lighting?
For a while now I’ve been compiling an Evernote list of all these fabulous sites where you can find this type of photography and figured it was high time to share in this season of giving.
In this list, you’ll find some free feminine styled stock photography that you can download now as well as some resources for premium photography that you’ll find is really quite affordable when you need something a little less seen-around-the-web.
Where to Use Feminine Styled Stock Photography
First of all, where and how should you use styled stock photography? The best thing about them is that they are so versatile! You can use them…
On your blog post title images to really capture people’s eyes in Pinterest:
Your blog’s design such as the hero image, header, footer, or sidebar graphics:
On Instagram (if you’re like me and suck at taking these types of photos!):
In your social media marketing posts to really draw attention to them:
We hope your online shop isn’t making these 8 mistakes! Check out the full list here! https://t.co/hV3IcYgip1 via @bluchic pic.twitter.com/lTceaONbDZ
— Marianne // DYOB (@marianney) December 25, 2016
In your social media header graphics:
Video title graphics/thumbnails:
Email newsletter header graphic:
In your ebooks, guides, workbooks, etc:
In your webinar slides:
Image from Haute Chocolate in a slide from my upcoming webinar! Stay tuned…
In ads and banners:
A Quick Warning
Please note that before you use ANY stock photo that is not yours, you should always read the terms and conditions first. This even goes for paid photos because they may have restrictions on where and how you can use them.
For example, some photos may be perfectly fine to use in a blog post, but not ok to use in an ad or something you plan to sell, like an ebook. So make sure you’re not violating any copyright laws by reading the terms of use first!
Good read: Warning! That Image on Your Blog Post Could Cost You Thousands
And guys, let’s thank those who freely share their work without requiring attribution by giving them a link back anyway. It’s the least we can do for their generosity!
FYI, some of the links below are affiliate links (noted by a *) which just means that if you make a purchase through my special link, I’ll receive a small commission for the referral at no additional cost to you. Of course I only recommend products I fully endorse. If you have any questions about this, you can read my full disclosure here.
Hey friend! Take this free clickable list with you:
Premium Feminine Styled Stock Photography Resources
The list below features my favorite paid resources for feminine styled stock photography, many of which offer free samples of photographs, which I highlight for you.
I also have an all-free list of feminine styled stock resources.
Costs listed below are prices as of January 2017 and are subject to change.
1. Shay Cochrane Stockshop*
Ok, I probably shouldn’t be starting a list of “affordable” styled stock with Shay, but seeing how she’s literally the queen of styled stock (I’m pretty sure she was the first to introduce this style), I thought it fitting to start the list with her. Plus don’t worry, she’s got freebies too!
Cost: You’ve probably seen and drooled over her stock photos for a while and wished you could afford them. They are probably the most expensive you’ll find, but also the best.
Free Samples: The good news is that you can get a free download every month from Shay just by subscribing to her newsletter. Visit the SC Stockshop* and click on Free Stock Images to sign up.
2. Pixels + Lattes
A gorgeous styled stock library that offers unlimited downloads, fresh images for your brand, hundreds of images per month, special themes + more.
Cost: $19.99/month
Free Samples: 4 free styled stock photos available when you subscribe.
3. Haute Chocolate*
Haute Chocolate, the creative brainchild of Rachel Rouhana, is a monthly subscription service with tons of gorgeous themed stock photos added every single month.
Cost: Photos only available by exclusive membership starting at $75 for 3 months. Sounds pricey, but you have to see her photos* to see why.
Free Samples: Sign up for a free photo pack* plus get additional photos sent from time to time!
4. Creative Convex
Chaitra of Creative Convex and Pink Pot Design Studio is a highly talented photographer that does custom stock photography just for your brand so you can stop hunting for stock photography and have completely unique custom photos that match your brand perfectly.
Cost: Check out her custom stock photo package.
Free Samples: Free monthly sample packs are sent via email and are worth waiting for!
5. Creative Market*
Creative Market is one of my fave places to find anything visual I need for my blog because it truly is a one-stop shop of resources! You can find fonts, blog graphics, blog themes, logo templates, slideshow templates and of course feminine styled stock photography! Just search using the terms “styled stock” or “flatlay” and you’ll find whatever you need!
Pineapples because why not? This image is from Pineapple Shop on Creative Market.
Cost: Cost varies from shop to shop within the market, but you can find images for as low as $1-2 on up. Many shops also have sales going on at any given time.
Free Samples: Creative Market generously gives 6 different free downloads per week and some are stock photography packs. Check out this week’s awesome graphic downloads!*
My Favorite Creative Market Styled Stock Shops:
6. Rosemary Watson Styled Stock*
Sign up for Rosemary’s newsletter for free styled stock samples.
7. Kate Max Stock*
Kate generously offers freebies on her blog without having to sign up! Just browse through her blog posts to find them.
8. Kory Mae*
Kory Woodard is a fantastic WordPress designer whom I’ve been following for years. Her Instagram account is impeccable and her styled stock does not disappoint.
9. TwigyPosts*
Grab Jana’s free styled stock samples from her blog.
10. The Miss Modern Shop*
Subscribe for a free stock photo.
11. CGS Creative*
Sign up to receive access to her resources file including a bunch of beautiful stock photos which are updated monthly.
12. Epicerie du Blog*
13. Design Love Shop*
14. Miss Poppy Design*
15. Diva Gone Domestic*
16. Type & Style Styled Stock Shop*
16b. Design Blossoms* – Yep, 16b. I had to add this new shop I discovered because it’s really awesome!
17. Styled Stock Society*
Affordable styled stock photos for feminine entrepreneurs to up-level your brand without breaking the bank! Styled Stock Society is part of Elle Drouin’s brand, Wonderfelle Media.
Cost: Shop individual photos and photo packs or purchase a membership at $30 for 3 months, $45 for 6 months or $75 for 12 months. Custom packages also available.
Free Samples: Subscribe for 10 free beautiful photos!*
18. Turquoise & Palm*
Beautiful feminine styled stock photography resource from pro photographer, Alli, that offers monthly and yearly membership plans as well as custom brand and product photography packages.
Cost: $29/month, $69 for 3 months or $197/year ($16/mo).
Free Samples: Sign up for Alli’s newsletter and receive a new themed pack of gorgeous images every month in your inbox. Sign up at the bottom of any page.*
19. Jenna Redfield Designs
My friend, Jenna Redfield, offers gorgeous stock photography on various backgrounds (white, sheepskin, etc.) as well as custom photography.
Cost: Shop individual photos or photo bundles at various price points.
Free Samples: Join Jenna’s Facebook group for free stock photos every month!
20. CREATEHer Stock
A stock photo membership resource curated for female bloggers, creatives, and online influencers of color.
Cost: $7/month for unlimited access to over 1000 photos and counting.
Free Samples: Of course! Sign up to receive access to the huge Stockpile and free photos each month.
21. Style.Undone.Creative
The Style Gallery is the only exclusive, semi-custom stock photo gallery from photographer Nidia Karimalis. You get a minimum of 30 high resolution images a month, created with you and your business in mind. There are only 25 spots available, so you can really stand out.
Cost: $65 AUD/month, but only 25 spots available.
Free Samples: Subscribe for access to the gift stock library packed with a ton of gorgeous photos!
22. Stock Photo Parlor
These photo packs are not so much styled stock, but they are feminine photographs that could really go well with your brand images.
Cost: Snag a year membership for only $45!
Free Samples: Subscribe for a free mini photo pack each month (at the bottom of any page).
23. Heart Take the Wheel
Glady Anne offers a membership to her stock photo shop and also has a free VIP list where you’ll get one free photo per month!
Cost: $20/month to access the current stock plus 40 new photos every month.
Free Samples: Subscribe for her current free image stock plus one free image each month.
Even MORE Sites Added to the List!
It’s like Christmas around here folks! Check out the new additions to the original list…
24. Bloguettes Stock That Rocks
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect picture, these stock photos are perfect for you. Stock That Rocks can be purchased as a monthly membership, and can be cancelled at any time. Each month, we add 150+ new images to the library, so you’ll always have new royalty-free photos to choose from!
Cost: Bloguettes offers two photography memberships: one for $29/month for 15 photo downloads and 1 webinar, and another for $75/month for 45 photo downloads. Plus, users can buy individual photos for just $10 each.
Free Samples: Click here to get 4 FREE stock photos right to your inbox!
25. IvoryMix*
Kayla at Ivory Mix has a fantastic shop of styled stock photos at incredibly awesome prices!
Cost: We’re talking bundles of ~30 photos for $10. That’s a steal friends!
Free Samples: Try them out by subscribing for a whole bunch of free stock photos* plus new ones every month!
26. Posh Stock for the Lady Boss*
From styled stock to mock ups to social media images, this stock shop has everything you need.
Cost: Starting at less than $10/month.
Free Samples: Grab your 10 free images* here now.
27. 50 Shades of Black Stock
A fabulous resource for “styled stock photography representing women of colour.” There’s a mixture here of styled stock, photos of humans and even illustrations. Definitely one to check out.
Cost: Starting at $5.99/month!
Free Samples: Sign up and receive 6 gorgeous free photos.
28. Wellness Stock Shop
All shot by an award-winning photographer, this shop is completely unique in that it offers photos for the wellness business community with subjects like food and nutrition, spa and skincare, mind and body. But of course these could be great for any feminine blog really. Check out these fresh photos now!
Cost: A few different plans starting at $2.49/image on up to an unlimited membership.
Free Samples: But of course! Sign up to get one free stock photo each month!
29. Girl Boss Boutique by Just Arpi
Membership to this club gets you fresh new styled stock, feminine graphics and pre-made templates every month and they expire every month which means that access to resources are limited to a few, which ensures uniqueness.
Cost: Just $7/month
Free Samples: Get 12 FREE feminine styled stock photos for your blog and online business in exchange for your email address.
30. Simply Mama Stock Photos
Millason has created a stock photo subscription geared at mom bloggers and wow is her collection awesome!
Cost: $15 for 20+ new photos per month!
Free Samples: Yep, scroll down a bit here and click the button to subscribe.
31. The Photo Forest
Raw and real wellness stock photos. This new resource library of authentic and diverse photos offers not just styled stock, but all sorts of beautiful feminine stock photography! Photos are exclusive: only 100 unique downloads per image.
Cost: $10 – $99 per month
Free Samples: Sign up using the form on the home page for a free photo every Thursday!
32. Pixistock
Alicia adds 50 gorgeous new styled stock photos to her membership every month and her mission is to keep her photos affordable and different from everyone else’s! You also get access to Canva and Photoshop templates. Nice!
Cost: From $18.75 to $49 per month
Free Samples: Sign up here for four free photos right away plus one per month.
33. The Stock Boutique
A stock photography subscription service that provides curated, styled and professional images to help elevate your website, social media and brand. The Stock Boutique is committed to helping female entrepreneurs create an intentional brand and compelling messages with thoughtful and strategic visuals. Created by professional photographer, Alisha Lynn, The Stock Boutique provides its members with curated galleries full of gorgeous and engaging images, instagram ready images, tutorials and much, much more!
Cost: $25 monthly or $250 annually
Free Samples: Join The Stock Boutique’s weekly newsletter to receive a free image in your inbox monthly!.
*****
How to Choose a Premium Feminine Stock Photo Membership?
This all depends on your blog’s needs and your brand. Take a good look at each site above and look through their samples and be sure to download their freebies to get a good idea of if they will work with your own brand’s imagery and vision. Will the photos make a good Instagram timeline for you?
You may even consider joining one for three months, then hopping over to another one for three months to give a few a try.
More Free Stock Photography
There is now a part two with even MORE resources for you:
22 More Sites for Free Feminine Styled Stock Photography!
And if you’re looking for more free stock photography that’s not necessarily styled stock, be sure to check out my other lists:
Free Public Domain Stock Photography
Free Creative Commons Stock Photography
And if you’re tired of seeing the same old stock photography everywhere, check out my latest tutorial: Create Unique Graphics from Stock Photos for Your Blog and Social Media.
Guess what? I’ve got another list of free styled stock I’m already working on that I should be publishing here soon. You won’t believe your eyes! Be sure to subscribe now for updates on when that’s done. And don’t forget to download your cheat sheet so you always have it handy when you need new photos:
Tell me…
How do you use feminine styled stock photography? I’d love to hear all about it and see your links to examples in the comments below!
I love, love, love Haute Chocolate and Jana from TwigyPosts. I used Jana’s stock photos to redo my blog home page and I get sooo many compliments on the design and images. It really does make a difference. I appreciate these free resources, I can’t quite plunk down the money or settle on just one stock photography subscription service quite yet, they are all great!
I get it Tanya! The free ones are really good and fine for right now. At least when you feel it’s time to start purchasing some photos, you know where to look! 😀
Love this list thanks so much! I’m a big fan of haute chocolate as well. I’ll have to check out the other amazing photographers listed as well.
So glad you liked it Nicole! Definitely some awesome photos out there from these talented photographers!
WOW amazing resources – just when I thought I’d heard of all the best free feminine stock photo sites, you thew a bunch more at me! Thanks so much!!
Haha I know Jodi! The best part is, I have enough MORE sources for a whole ‘nother post coming soon!
Thanks major bunches for having me on you list!! ♥♥♥ All the love!
Of course Glady Anne, love your images!!
Love this post for so many reasons. It is so real and vulnerable, it is pure beauty.
Hi Marianne, Thanks for good suggestion us! I sharing here some free feminine stock lovely photo sites.
I am so glad by visiting your blog ! Thanks a lot for posting this awesome post!
Have a nice day!
🙂
What a great line up of free photo sites! There were a few sites I wasn’t aware of on your list! I have some you might not know of: http://www.simplyhipsavings.com/2016/10/02/18-free-feminine-styled-stock-photo-resources/ . I hope you find a few more resources for yourself as I did tonight!!!!!! Thanks for such a great post.
Wow who knew there were so many more free resources, Shauna. Good finds!
Hello Ladies- This is one of my main focuses, Everyone can afford that one perfect stock photo for their brand or blog or just because, and not just one, so you need to be there to get the info on getting what you have desired, request will start Friday at 9pm est- and reasons why I am starting using my talents to Pay-it-forward,this Saturday morning at 12 to ?eastern time the release of my Stock selections-preveiws-order exactly what u need or desire and have less then12-24 hours by email, all stock photos you purchase from me direct will be email to you-They will go to selling in choice picks-of-six on Monday- but ?? My shop on Crative Market and personal website will be open…. My and get a sneek peek at my portfolio Friday after 9pm eastern on my personal Adobe Portfolio Website(also same place my launch is taking place) Keep eyes out on all social media for further annoucments from LuckeeYou Buterfly Photography and Designs… feel free to email anytime luckeeyou@outlook.com
Heya Ms. M!
I got a subscription to IvoryMix through some blog bundle I bought somewhere, and that alone was worth it! Kayla listens to her clients. I asked her for some stock photos for those of us whose niche appeals to geeks, punks, artistic types, and it’s on her list. All I had to do was ask! Also, asked for a plain square pillow ‘mockup’. It’s on the list. The coffee cup one I asked for has been added. She’s super swell, and her photos aren’t a BILLION dollars…they just look like they are. And nope, not an affiliate (yet!).
Also wondering where you’ve been (was going to send an email) and am looking forward to hearing all about it!!
Hi Stacy, yep sorry i’ve been a little absent, i’ve been hard at work though, not giving up yet! 🙂
I’m so glad to hear of your experiences with IvoryMix, that’s fantastic that she listens to her audience so well. She’s a true professional.
Really amazing resources here…..– just when I thought I’d heard of all the best free feminine stock photo sites, you thew a bunch more at me! Thanks so much!!
Glad to help Daniel!
Marianne,
I just wanted to thank you for this very kind and generous feature. I’m glad to know I still make the cut with all the new kids in town! Thank you again for including me!
My pleasure Shay, you’re the queen of stock photos! Thanks for stopping by sweetie!
I Love Haute Chocolate so much, it is so much thinner and I think if it can be set up, then the loading time will be too much short duration! Obviously, Chaitra of Creative Convex and Pink Pot Design Studio is a highly talented photographer.
Hey Lisa, definitely two awesome sites for photography. Can you talk a bit more about Haute Chocolate being thinner?
My workplace has been using Photospin dot com as our main source of stock photos for years now – but to our surprise, it has unexpectedly gone out of business as of today.
It was very affordable, and our plan allowed 50 downloads a day and had tons of vector graphics as well as photos. It wasn’t the highest quality stuff, but it worked for us since we tend to use a lot of stock imagery in our work. (We’re an ad production team at a free weekly newspaper, and many of our clients are small local businesses who can’t afford professional photography.)
That’s too bad Ashley, what alternatives are you using now?
I have used Deposit Photos and Yay Photos. I think they are reasonably priced and have a pretty good selection. Don’t know if it’s as cheap as what you were using. Definitely cheaper than Stock and etc.
Good to know Lauri, thanks! I hadn’t heard of Yay before.
I am soon launching a blog. I have built websites previously, worked as a social media strategist, and also have a professional background in design. Even though I outsource the ‘heavy lifting’ I project manage all aspects, just as I did when a professional designer. My question about photo-reUse was-believe it or not- not answered on your amazing site! (I need to spend lotta time on it!)
Here it is: “If I query design magazines for permission to use their photos within my blog articles (but not getting their sponsorship), what persuasion-points (I’m thinking optimization, and SEO for them by alt-tagging or something?) can I use with the permission letter, since I am new and cannot provide metrics, stats, etc concerning performance? Any advice is appreciated – I’m new at this optimization and permission stuff! Thank you
Hi Lauri, thanks for reading and for your question. Unfortunately I haven’t had experience asking magazines for permission to use photos as I’ve always used stock for my websites. I think though that you’re on the right track with what you’ve suggested here. Wouldn’t hurt to try by asking!
Hey woow! I love the list of these amazing Photo Sites, Great Content!