Images are a critical part of any eCommerce website. They set the tone for your brand, engage your customers, and make your products or services shine. But what if you don’t have the budget for professional photography—or you’re just starting out? Stock photography is here to save the day!

At Studio Kinde, we know how important it is to have high-quality imagery on your Shopify website. That’s why all of our website template demo sites feature beautiful stock imagery to give you an idea of what your website could look like. If you’ve just purchased one of our templates, adding your own images—or carefully selected stock photography—is simple and can make your site stand out.

In this post, we’ll show you where to find the best royalty-free stock photos, explain why using properly licensed images is essential, and give you tips on choosing photos that enhance your brand.

Why Royalty-Free Images (or a License) Matter

When selecting images for your eCommerce website, it’s crucial to use royalty-free stock photos or purchase a license for the images you want to use. Here’s why:

1. Avoid Copyright Issues: Using unlicensed images can lead to legal trouble, which no business owner needs!
2. Support Creators: Purchasing a license or crediting the artist when required helps support the photographers who create these beautiful images.
3. Maintain Professionalism: High-quality, licensed images elevate your website, showing customers you care about the details.

Always check the licensing terms for stock images. Some require attribution (a credit to the artist) or have restrictions on commercial use.

Top Places to Find Free Royalty-Free Images

If you’re working with a tight budget, there are plenty of resources for free stock images that don’t compromise on quality. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Unsplash

• Known for: Artistic, high-quality images across various categories.
• License: Free for commercial use; no attribution required (though it’s appreciated!).

2. Pexels

• Known for: A huge variety of modern and professional images.
• License: Free for commercial use; no attribution required.

3. Pixabay

• Known for: A wide range of photos, illustrations, and even videos.
• License: Free for commercial use; no attribution required.

4. Burst by Shopify

• Known for: Images designed specifically for eCommerce businesses.
• License: Free for commercial use; no attribution required.

5. Canva

• Known for: Integration with its design tools for customizing images.
• License: Free and paid options; some require a Canva Pro subscription.

Where to Purchase High-Quality Stock Images

For premium options that are more unique, consider these platforms:

• Adobe Stock: Professional-grade images with flexible licensing.
• Shutterstock: Huge library with a mix of subscription and pay-per-image pricing.
• Creative Market: Stylish and unique images curated for creative businesses.
• Etsy: Independent artists often sell bundles of niche imagery here.

Investing in a paid stock photo can help your brand stand out by avoiding commonly used free images.

Tips for Selecting the Right Images for Your Brand

1. Stay On-Brand: Choose photos that align with your brand’s colors, tone, and style.
2. Use Consistent Filters: If editing images, apply the same filters to keep a cohesive look across your site.
3. Focus on Quality: Blurry or pixelated images won’t inspire confidence in your customers.

How to Add Images to Your Shopify Website

If you’ve just purchased a Studio Kinde Shopify template, uploading your stock photography (or product images) is simple:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin.
2. Navigate to the section where you want to add the image (e.g., homepage, product page).
3. Click “Add Image” and upload your photo.
4. Adjust placement and preview to ensure it looks just right.

We’ve even included tutorials with our templates to make it even easier!

Final Thoughts

Stock photography is a game-changer for eCommerce businesses, offering a cost-effective way to build a stunning website. Whether you’re using free royalty-free images or investing in premium stock photos, the right imagery can enhance your brand and connect with your audience.

At Studio Kinde, we love helping business owners like you create a professional and polished Shopify website. Our templates are designed with flexibility in mind, making it easy for you to add the perfect images that showcase your brand. Need help finding or uploading images? We’re here to guide you every step of the way!