Emails are an exciting and lucrative way to engage with audiences, build relationships, and drive business growth.
These informative emails educate audiences in ways other digital marketing initiatives can’t accomplish. That’s because of their innate informative qualities.
These emails, while also created to drive a brand initiative, aren’t promotional. They enlighten and inspire. They inform readers on new promotions, key insights, shifts in culture, organization, and more.
And consumers want to receive these emails: In fact, 61% of consumers want to see at least one email a week from brands they follow.
Boost open rates through beautiful images
However, with this increased demand for newsletter content comes an increased need to personalize and customize email campaigns to ensure your subscribers open and read through these emails.
Images add an extra layer to an email campaign. However, finding the right image to complement an email campaign can be a challenge without the right resources.
Finding the right photograph, graphic or illustration to pair with an email marketing campaign doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. Depending on the needs of a brand, their budget, or their branding, marketers can turn to a number of stock photo websites to establish an engaging visual presence in their next email newsletter campaign.
Marketers can start with the following stock photo websites. Whatever their needs, they’re sure to find a solution that’s right for them blow.
Where to find stock photos for your newsletters
There are hundreds of stock image sites out there—both free and paid. Each has its pros and cons. Some are free, and some have added costs. But when it comes to email campaigns, these six stock photo sites are bound to drive engagement throughout your next newsletter campaign.
1. Pexels
Pexels is a reliable and free stock image site with high-quality photos that don’t require any payment or attribution.
This user-friendly website is a marketer’s dream. It provides thousands of images that range in style, scene, and setting. Moreover, they come in a number of downloadable sizes that make it easy to find the image that fits into your next email newsletter campaign.
The best stock photo is the one that drives engagement—and you can definitely find an option in this expansive site.
The downside to this site is the relative blandness of the overall options. They match many of the other free stock image sites, so you won’t see a lot of variety in the options offered.
In addition to free photos, Pexels also offer some free video options that can give your emails a stylistic boost.
2. IStock
IStock is a go-to in the world of stock photos. This subscription-based site is unique in its pricing and membership tiers.
Marketers pay based on the number of images they’ll need a month. Moreover, pricing ranges from $70 to $400 a month for access to all images and $40 to $200 for essentials.
This credit-based service gives members access to thousands of images across the database. These images include graphics, icons, image sets, photographs, and more. IStock gives marketers some of the most widespread options when it comes to imagery.
That being said, it’s also one of the pricier options on the list, due to the numerous stock image options available and the different dimensions offered.
Marketers can find banner imagery with ease using iStock, and they won’t have to worry about it lacking impact.
3. Unsplash
Source: Unsplash
Unsplash offers thousands of high-definition images that are all free. This collection is vast, and it’s broken down into easily identifiable sections. Regardless of your industry, you’ll be able to find a photo collection that meets your needs.
This free-to-use service connects brands with artists and photographers looking to get their work seen. These images are captivating, moody, and exceptional. That means that they’re sure to encourage users to keep reading and clicking.
Unsplash is a great option for marketers who want a free stock photo option but are looking for more variety and uniqueness in the images available. Unsplash isn’t a site that just curates free images from across the web. Users upload their own works for free use.
Unsplash isn’t just a stock photo site. It’s a photography community. So marketers know that the content within was created with passion.
Make your newsletters pop with high-quality and one-of-a-kind photographs.
4. Shutterstock
Shutterstock is another veteran stock photo website with some helpful pricing options to help brands and individuals alike find the images that resonate with their needs.
Shutterstock plans are broken down by the number of images a brand will need in a given month as well as the number of users who have access to the account. Prices range from $30 a month to $579.
That is a huge jump in prices, so when using Shutterstock you should be well aware of what their image needs are and plan accordingly.
This makes Shutterstock a bit more of a frustrating platform for email marketers. It requires a lot more planning and doesn’t leave as much room for flexibility like other plans. However, with Shutterstock, marketers have access to a wide variety of image options including vectors, typography, graphics, and more.
Big brands that have a high demand for images would feel comfortable using Shutterstock for their email newsletter needs.
5. Negative Space
Source: Negative Space
Negative Space is another online community of photographers looking to share their work with the world—and marketers can get free access to this gorgeous database of images.
The goal of launching Negative Space was to help give photographers a platform where they could share their work. Ultimately, they wanted to “provide those out-of-focus surroundings,” and find the “beautiful high-resolution images within them” and allow them to shine.
The ultimate goal was to create communities: one for photographers and one for online visitors looking for stunning work with no restrictions.
Negative Space is likely one of the best stock photo websites out there for marketers who want free commercial access to images for a variety of campaigns, including newsletters.
The site itself is user-friendly, making it extremely easy for users to do quick searches and find corresponding images. The downside to the site is a lack of many options. Marketers have to be extremely specific in their search to find the right images.
6. HauteStock
HauteStock is a membership-based stock photo website. However, its lifestyle focus makes it an excellent choice for brands looking to connect with audiences through stunning photography, imagery, and custom sets that give emails a glamorous boost.
What makes the images on HauteStock stand out from other paid stock image sites is its focus on style. These photographs capture an effervescence and a brightness that is inspiring, exquisite, and compelling.
The founder of the site, Rachel, was driven by a passion for promoting beauty. Frustrated by the lack of stylish stock photography that was available for women, she decided to create not only an easy-to-use platform but also an affordable solution to help other women wanting to create stunning brands.
There are a number of beautiful image options which is perfect for blogs, social media, and newsletters. These stylish images have the potential to boost your email newsletter campaign at an affordable cost.
HauteStock is still a growing platform, so the number of options is more limited than other stock image sites on this list. However, the quality and the uniqueness of these images are perfect for brands looking to connect over a mutual appreciation of style and elegance.
And they’re adding new images every week!
Wrap up
The best stock photos drive successful newsletters. Any successful newsletter needs complementary imagery. This can come in the form of customized banners, photography, graphics or video.
Whatever service you go with, it’s important to choose the image that captures your brand, image, and personality. However, with the many options out there, finding the best stock photo or video can end up feeling like more work than it’s worth.
The following newsletter stock photo websites are a great place to start:
- Pexels
- iStock
- Unsplash
- Shutterstock
- Negative Space
- HauteStock
Marketers don’t have to pay a fortune for good-quality imagery—but the need for imagery in some form is vital for newsletter success.
Luckily, these six stock photo website options provide brands with easy access to thousands of images that can turn an average email newsletter campaign into one that sells. Regardless of brand identity, style, or budget, all brands can find the imagery that works for them in the options above.
Want more free stock photo options? Check out our roundup here.