Very cool source for royalty-free stock photographs that can be downloaded:

iStockPhoto
http://www.istockphoto.com/

They provide resolutions that will work for Web site development or in print.

The web graphics I looked at were only 50 cents each.

This is a site we use a lot in our blog designs. They have some very cool and interesting images. In fact my blog amoralopinions.com (http://www.amoralopinions.com) uses one of their images.

Hey Guys,

Have a look at http://www.sxc.hu/ for some free stock images, it's what I use whenever I need pics.

Ciaran

Welcome to the forum sabreweb! :standingw

Just remember that if you can use the stock images, so can plenty of other people. The web is overloaded with repeated images that actually diminish the impact of the site because people have seen them before. I strongly recommend that if you can't use art designed for your site, make the site look good without the stock images. Sorry to be so stuffy...

I've been using iStockPhoto for almost a year. The images are not the typically overused stock images available on freebie sites. Images on iStockPhoto are original images posted by both amateurs and professionals who earn a small commission for every photo that someone buys. The cost for these images is a pittance compared to other royalty free images found on the Web.

:thumbsup: for iStockPhoto!

I agree that istockphoto.com is a great site. Photos.com is also good for stockphotography.

Often I find that my clients are better served by custom photography, so many times we will hire a photographer for a 1/2 day to full day shoot. In doing so we negotiate unlimited, exclusive rights. That way my clients have exactly what they need.

This is an old post but just what I needed. I'm working on a new web site for my motel and needed some pictures. This was just what I was looking for.

Thanks for all the posts.

I'm looking for some images....... (http://www.smallbusinessbrief.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5865) might help a few people out as well.

Studies show that people can subconsciously detect a stock image and are actually less responsive to them! TheDiva's definitely got a great idea; personalized photo shoots can be better not only for your client's website appearance but for its performance.

Also note that sxc.hu has a great selection BUT not all of the photos are free to use. Be sure to check whehter the artist has requested to be notified and/or credited before use.

monkeytree, that's an interesting statistic, can you point to where you read that, I'm interested. If true I would think how the photos are used or what "kind" of stock photos are used might make a difference. I would also think that you'd be better off with stock photos than no photos.

Hey Guys,

Have a look at sxc for some free stock images, it's what I use whenever I need pics.

Ciaran

yeah, exactly, this page is full of FREE images with no limitations. i also use this page to grab some graphics for my web projects.
don't forget to give some credits to the authors of images if you use them ;)

also browse Wikimedia Commons - some images there too!

I use free stock photos all of the time, but be careful with images of people or trademarked logos, etc.

The photographer can give you permission to use the photo (copyright) but, if the photographer doesn't have a talent release for the people in the photo, you are legally responsible to get their permission before using the image. People have both a right of privacy and a right of publicity.

The same applies to government images. A NASA picture of Buzz Aldrin is public domain, but you need his permission to include it in a website template or advertisement.

Photos that include copyrighted and/or trademarked images are also off limits without written permission. So, Nike swooshes and Coke signs can also be a problem.