It’s important to feature diverse people on your website and in your digital marketing. This post will list different stock photography sites where you can find royalty-free pictures of Black and Brown People.
If you’re a blogger, you probably know how difficult it is to find inclusive stock photos featuring people of color in general. As a natural hair blogger, I take most of my own photos. But sometimes, I blog about more general topics and don’t want to stage an entire photo shoot just to get a featured image for my post. This is when I turn to stock photos–preferably stock photos featuring black women or men models. However, it’s been quite the struggle to find stock photos of black people
The following sites are where you’ll be able to find royalty-free stock photos for your content-creating needs. Some photos are created specifically for black people in mind, others offer more diverse selections. Please note, while my personal focus is looking for photos with black models, the sites recommended lean heavily in that direction.
I’ll also note what sort of options each site has (whether their photos are free, paid, or subscription-based). Please note, it is important to read the terms of use/what sort of license each company offers photos under, as they may change from what I’ve mentioned below.
Sites Focused on Stock Photos of Black People:
The below sites are more narrowly focused on content for Black creators or brands looking for Black stock photos for their imagery.
1. Nappy – Free
Absolutely stunning, and FREE high-resolution stock photos of black and brown people. These are perfect if you’re looking for royalty-free photos that don’t really look like stock photos.
They have a search feature, and also divide their categories into Active, Food, People, Places, Things, and Work.
2. Iwaria – Free
“Free African high quality photos for your projects”. Iwaria is something truly unique in the stock-photo industry. Their photos are beautiful, high quality, and focus on African imagery. Their categories are divided into People, Work, Animals, Food, and Landscape.
3. CreateHER Stock – Free + Subscription
CreateHer Stock is a personal favourite of mine, and you’ll find many of their stock photos across this site. They have a constantly-growing selection of stock photos featuring primarily black women. I personally love their selections because most of their photos feature people with natural hair. They also actively shoot photos with content-creators in mind. You’ll find seasonal pictures, flatlays, wellness-related shots, and more!
They have a free gallery, as well as premium subscription options that begin at $10.00/month for access to 2500+ images.
4. Eye for Ebony – Free + Paid Bundles
If you join Eye for Ebony’s mailing list, you will gain access to a small (but useful) collection of stock photography featuring Black people. They also periodically send out new free photos to their list throughout the year, so you’ll want to make sure you don’t unsubscribe!
Eye for Ebony also sells very affordable stock photo bundles. They all currently run at $15 per bundle, which is usually about 24-25 pictures! Some of the bundles they currently have include Afro, Quiet Time, City Girl, Work From Home, in LOVE, Maternity, and more!
5. UK Black Tech – Free (with attribution)
UK Black Tech was looking to fill a void in representation in the tech sector. They have curated a small, but useful collection of stock photos that includes black children in tech as well! You may copy, distribute, and display the images as long as you attribute UKBlackTech or www.ukblacktech.com
At the time of writing this, their site is under construction with a “Returning Soon.” page. Though they give you the option though to input your email to get notified when they return!
Stock Photos Focused on People of Color:
The below sites open it up a bit, and focus on stock images of POC in general, not just photos of Black people.
7. PicNoi – Free
PicNoi offers a decent collection of images of people of colour. They are trying to fill the void seen in stock photography, and hope to help creators better-reflect the colorful world around us.
They also have the unique option to “Download All”. This is incredibly useful if you like to build your content on the go, and want an easily accessible collection of images to choose from.
8. Women of Color in Tech – Free (with attribution)
If you’re looking for tech-based stock photos, or anything in a business/office setting, these stock photos are perfect! Curated by Women of Color in Tech, these photos can be copied, distributed, and displayed as long as you attribute #WOCinTech Chat or wocintechchat.com.
9. Jopwell – Free (with attribution)
Jopwell is a career advancement platform for people of color, and they also happen to have a pretty extensive free stock photo collection. Their collections are diverse and inclusive, and feature people of colour in a variety of business settings. You may copy, distribute, and display the images as long as you attribute Jopwell or Jopwell.com.
10. Tonl – Free + Paid + Subscription
The creators of Tonl wanted to challenge the “stale, homogenous look of traditional stock photography by showcasing the many ethnic backgrounds of every day people“, and they are doing an amazing job. They definitely should be a your go-to site if you’re looking for diverse and inclusive stock photos.
Tonl does have a sort-of-hidden free section, under the category “Take”. I highly recommend scrolling through these, I found some winners that I’ve stuck in a folder for future blog posts!
However if you want your pick of their incredibly high quality photos, they do come at a price. You can buy single photos a la carte ($25.00) or you can spring for their subscription.
Their subscriptions start at $29.00/per month which gets you 15 photos. If you use the subscription to its fullest, it is definitely worth it, but you want to make sure you’re downloading 15 pictures to get your money’s worth!
11. Mocha Stock – Paid
Mocha Stock offer “affordable royalty-free stock media” featuring people of color.
While you do have to pay for their images, their options are incredibly unique and diverse, so if you aren’t having any luck on any of the other sites on this list, you may find a winner here, and be willing to shell out some cash for it.
Their prices range from $11.00 – $450.00 depending on size. (The smallest size will probably do for most blog-related purposes).
General Stock Photos Sites with inclusive and diverse images:
Not all general stock photo sites are awful and white-washed. Check out the below, and use the necessary keywords to find what you’re looking for! I’ve had a lot of success with the below by simply typing in “Black Woman”, and I was so pleased by the variety in hairstyles: natural hair and protectives styles among weaves and wigs!
12. Pexels – Free
Pexels is known for its gorgeous collection of free stock photos and videos. Their gallery is ever-growing, and they have a pretty inclusive selection of images.
13. Burst – Free
Burst is a new one to me, and I am incredibly impressed by their lay out. You can use their search bar feature, or select from one of their seemingly-infinite collections.
14. Unsplash – Free
Again, a gorgeous collection of inclusive photos, featuring a ton of POC. Just type what you’re looking for in the search bar, and you’re off!
15. Reshot – Free
Similar to the above: beautiful, high-res photos, available to use for free. To make life easier, they also have quick-image packs, where all you need to do is “Tweet to Download”. Current packs available are Diversity Matters, Active Lifestyle, Everyday Technology, and Flat Lay.
16. Raw Pixel – Free (limited) + Subscription
Raw Pixel also has a stunningly unique collection of diverse images. Their system is a bit different. Once you register with them, you’re allowed up to 5 images per day from their free section. Photos outside of that must be obtained from their (very affordable) subscription service.
For personal use (e.g. blogging + social media) you’re looking at $5.00/month.
17. Stocksy – Paid
Stocksy images are stunning and unique, and another example of paying for something because you won’t find it elsewhere. Prices range from $15.00 – $250.00 depending on size.
Bonus: Canva – (Free + Paid)
If you’re a blogger, you probably already have a Canva account. They are a quick and easy alternative to Photoshop for making anything from Pinterest pins to infographs. But did you know that they have a very inclusive selection of stock photos?
Going with the same test as I did above, searching “black woman” in their photos section yields great results. Some photos come at a cost, some are only if you have Canva pro, but a ton are completely free!
Final Thoughts
I’m honestly so excited about the diverse photo options available. When I first started blogging, all black bloggers had the same images on their websites–almost all of them from CreateHer Stock. Which at the time, was the only place you could find stock photos of Black models.
Now bloggers, content-creators, and digital marketers can actually be selective about the photos they’re putting on their website. They can use images that really reflect their style and message.
So which of these sites did you know about, and which are new? Do you have any more to recommend? Let’s make this the best and ultimate list of diverse stock photos!
Looking for other blogging and social media resources? Check out:
- Lightroom Presets for Instagram: Everything You Need to Know
- How to grow your blog using Tailwind and Pinterest
- Make Custom Stickers for your Instagram Stories
- How to get Multiple links in your Instagram Bio (Linktree Alternative)
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27 comments
You should add The Black Business Vault http://www.theblackbusinessvault.com to the list – They have great images of Black people for use by Black business owners and also give away free images to those on their email list.
These are great. Don’t forget to Include WiStudio. https://www.wistud.io/
Their portfolio is a bit smaller, but they have wonderful images of people of colour.
[…] source of some of these links below was the beauty/fashion blog “Comfy Girl with Curls,” which also lists some other sources. Some of this might also […]
Thank you for these wonderful resources. I’m an AA author who writes AA/Black characters, so I’m constantly looking for great images that aren’t also used by so many other novelists with AA/Black characters.
This is a gem.
This makes me so happy!! I plan to revisit the list because I think some more stock photo platforms have become available!!
Thank you for this post! I’m a new blogger, and I’ve been jumping through hoops trying to find good pictures of Black women for my posts!
OMG THANK YOU! I have BEEN looking for these kinds of stock photos, I’m black and can never find people of color to use for my blog images.
So glad I came across this blog!
Subscribing!!!
I’d only heard of a few stock photo websites like this. Thanks for sharing this more exhaustive list!
My pleasure!! I come back to this list over and over again whenever I need stock photos!
Thank you so much for this post! I just went through and bookmarked each one so I can look through them when searching for pictures. I hope we continue to find more sites that will keep people of color in mind! I hate that it’s so difficult to find them at times. Great post and thanks for sharing this information!
Thank you for checking it out Madisen! I’m so glad to help! Fingers crossed that it becomes a norm, and that there is such an abundance that these lists might seem silly!
Thank you for sharing
My pleasure!!!
Thank you for the referrals. I was familiar with a few but I am open to trying these others!! I will be bookmarking this post.
My pleasure!! Glad to be helpful, and that means a lot!
This is super helpful!!! Thank you for sharing this information!!!!!!
My pleasure! Thanks for checking it out, and happy blogging!
Girl thanks a ton for these! Especially for listing the ones with Black & Brown people because it’s really hard to find them on these stock sites! I love Canva, Unsplash, and Pexels. Going to pin this!
I’m so happy to help! Thank you for sharing, it means the world! I’m also so happy to give some of the lesser-known sites more exposure!
Definitely bookmarking this page. I normally use CreateHER or google free stock images. This is a gem. Thanks for posting.
I’m so happy to help Cherise! CreateHer in my opinion is the OG of stock photos for black bloggers–you really can’t go wrong with them, but it’s nice to have options!
I wanted to reiterate how useful I found these resources. I especially liked the “reshot” site but having access to all of them makes my life so much easier. Thank you.
I’m so happy to help! It’s nice to not have to run around hunting from scratch each time!
I had only heard about one of these previously so I’m super excited about this post. I really dislike having to add “african american” to searches on other popular stock photo sites. It feel so marginalized. Can’t wait to dive into these!
I totally feel you!! Like some of the most popular sites, you’re just sitting there wasting time trying to find different combinations hoping to pull up people who look like you. “Black” “African American” “Natural Hair”.. And you STILL end up with a bunch of white people. Just maybe in black and white.. or in Africa.. or in “Nature” .
This is great! The only one I knew about was Nappy and they don’t have a very big selection.
I’m glad to be able to help out!! I actually have bookmarked my own list because I’m constantly on the hunt for stock imagery :D