Business

20+ Resources for Free Stock Photos in 2020

Published

3 years ago

February 5, 2021

Photos help us better understand the concept of a product or service. When we see the relevant photo, we understand what we can count on. Therefore, you should be extremely careful when picking up the right photo for your article or website. If you prepare a to-the-point photo, it will help you attract more clients and boost sales.

But how do we get beautiful stock photos with the relevant design? Nowadays, there are a lot of services that provide free stock photos of high quality. In this article, we will share the 20 best resources for free stock photos in 2020. They are easy to use so every user will handle the process unaided. Without further ado, let’s get started.

1. Pixabay

We think this resource is the most generous as it contains more than 1 million free stock photos. You can get free images in several categories such as photos, artwork, vectors, and videos. Also, you can opt for computer illustrations. To put it another way, Pixabay is a database of non-copyrighted photos that are distributed under the Creative Commons license.

Pixabay allows you to use different filters and change the size, color, and orientation of the photo. If you want to use a search feature, we recommend choosing an English version of it. Overall, this resource is worth your attention.

2. Unsplash

This resource provides you with 300 000+ stock photos from different photo-communities all over the world. Unsplash offers high-resolution stock photos of several categories. For example, you can browse through photos on the topic of technology, cooking, or traveling. If you sign up and create an account, Unsplash will be sending you dozens of free relevant stock photos every 10 days.

This resource is convenient and easy to use, so we recommend every user to try it. The good thing is that you can search the Unsplash library in the PicMonkey editor add pics to your designs seamlessly.

3. Pexels

Although this service contains only 40 thousand free stock photos, they are all worth your attention. You can use a search function to pick up the relevant photo from a particular category. Portraits, photos of individual objects, landscapes, and fashion photographs – you will be surprised by a wide choice of stock photos.

The website is made in a minimalistic design so that it is convenient to use. We recommend you to use the page in English the way it is to avoid mistakes in translation.

4. Burst

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that Burst has different licenses for every image. So, make sure to check it before using a photo. If you work in e-commerce and do online sales, this service will help you find the right photos.

You can find folders of pictures distinguished by the type of business all available to download as either high or low resolution. This resource is quite good in its category.

5. Dreamstime

To use this resource, you have to sign up and create an account. Dreamstime has 150 million stock photos which make it the world’s largest stock community. There 33 million users who have signed up. Although not all of the photos are free, the service has a separate section with free content that is constantly updating.

Dreamstime has not only stock photos but also editorials, illustrations, videos, and audios. However, makes sure to check if the piece is free to use.

6. Flickr

A lot of people think of this service as the first one among free stock photos resources. It is really huge: it seems like Flickr contains billions of photos. It has a convenient search feature so that you can find the relevant photo by entering a keyword, color, size, or even a license type of a photo. Be careful with this website: it might be overwhelming. For instance, you will get more than a million examples by typing a simple keyword.

7. Picjumbo

The benefit of this resource is that you don’t have to sign up if you need to download a stock photo. Although the service does not have a search function, you can explore different categories to find the right piece. The website was created in 2013 and it has more than 5 million downloads by now.

8. Visionpic

Visionpic.net provides you with high-resolution free stock photos from a community of professional photographers who travel all around the world. This service is recognized as one of the best among free stock photo websites. It shares lots of attractive high-quality photos without watermarks which makes it suitable for social media and businesses.

The website has a comfortable search feature and more than 20 categories of materials. This makes Visionpic convenient and easy to use. Also, it is worth noting that you will not have any problems with loading the pages because the website is perfectly optimized.

9. Stock Up

This resource shares free stock photos from other online services that gave permission on taking their materials. Stock Up makes collections of beautiful high-quality stock photos. Therefore, you can choose the appropriate image from more than 20 thousand pieces.

10. Free Range Stock

To use this resource of free stock photos, you have to sign up and create an account. This service is convenient to select images to illustrate abstract concepts. Overall, this free stock photos resource is quite simple and easy to use.

11. Stockvault

This is another photo stock for photographers and designers that allows you to both publish your work and use other people’s pictures for personal purposes. The advantage of the resource is that registration is not required to use stock photos. The website also offers a selection of suitable photos from collections such as “Merry Christmas”.

12. Kaboompics

This service offers a rather interesting option: you can search for pictures with a dominant color. Looking for images in a specific color palette? Just set up the filter and you will find something suitable in a few minutes. You will immediately appreciate the feminine atmosphere and sophistication of each photo. Bloggers and freelancers will love it!

13. Life of Pix

This site contains photos of a wide range of professional photographers. All photos are free for both personal and commercial use. Landscapes, architectural objects, and portraits – here you will find photos for every taste. The base of materials of the site is updated every week, and the administration selects the photos manually.

14. Foter

Foter is a search tool for Flickr that helps you quickly select images with licensing options of interest. This site contains thousands of atmospheric photographs on various topics. You can search for photos by keywords by entering them in English. Filter “All Creative Commons” to select free photos.

15. Negative Space

Negative Space is not very large, but it only helps to make the viewing more positive. You will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of smartphone layouts presented. Photos are CC0 licensed.

16. Free Digital Photos

This resource contains a large database of stock photos, divided into categories. All images are free for both educational and personal or business purposes. This service is simple and straightforward to use.

17. Skitterphoto

SkitterPhoto presents a selection of lovely cute photos from three Dutch photographers. Landscapes, animals, individual objects – everything you need is here. Keep in mind that the service regularly adds new photos.

18. Barnimages

Although this site was created by a couple of photography friends, it bypasses many famous resources in quality. You can use their free, non-attributed stock images for any purpose, but the site’s creators would appreciate it if you like their work. Also, they have a pretty helpful blog to help you get your head around stock photography.

19. AllTheFreeStock

This is another service that collects snapshots of other free stock resources. Free stock images, icons, and videos – what else do you need to be happy?

All photos, videos, and icons are collected in one place. The service offers different licenses, but we recommend that you check the terms of use of the photos on the original site before downloading materials.

20. DesignersPics

This free stock service adds new photos every month. Users can use all the images for both personal and commercial purposes. A small collection of beautiful modern stock photos on various topics. These are mainly separate items, but there are also some pretty good landscapes. The site collects only high-resolution photos. And yes, they are absolutely free. There is a general feed of updates and a separate section where pictures are divided into categories.

Overall, that’s it for now. These were the 20 best resources for free stock photos in 2020. We recommend you to check out at least a few of them to find your favorite one. Feel free to spend some time browsing through the service to evaluate its design and optimization. Also, make sure to subscribe to our social media to stay tuned with the latest updates.

Business

Opportunities for Black Banx in Emerging Markets

Published

2 days ago

May 5, 2024

Matthew Wiles

A significant digital transformation is underway in the world of finance, marked by the emergence of non-bank innovators offering a diverse array of financial technology products and services. This transformation is not confined to established markets; rather, it extends its reach into emerging economies, offering a compelling digital alternative to traditional banking institutions. These alternatives are particularly vital in addressing the issue of financial exclusion, which has left substantial populations underserved by traditional banking systems.

Among these innovative digital banking entities stands Black Banx, a fintech brand dedicated to fostering financial inclusion in emerging markets by seamlessly integrating banking services into digital ecosystems. Founded in 2014 as a visionary concept by German billionaire Michael Gastauer, Black Banx swiftly evolved into a global force in the global financial market Officially launched in 2015, the institution rapidly garnered international recognition, extending its services to 180 countries and territories from its inception. Within a mere 12 months of operation, Black Banx amassed over 1 million customers, marking its initial expansions in key regions such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. At present, with a customer base exceeding 40 million as of February 2024, Black Banx stands as one of the fastest-growing digital banks not only in developed countries but also in emerging markets.

What Are Emerging Markets?

An emerging market mostly describes the economic landscape of a developing nation progressively engaging with global markets during its growth trajectory. These economies possess some but not all of the defining characteristics of developed markets, which typically exhibit robust economic growth, high per capita income, well-established equity and debt markets, foreign investor accessibility, and a reliable regulatory framework, according to Investopedia.

As emerging market economies evolve, they tend to integrate more deeply into the global economy. This integration fosters increased liquidity within local debt and equity markets, heightened trade volume, and augmented foreign direct investment. Moreover, these economies witness the emergence of modern financial and regulatory institutions as they transition from low-income, less developed, often pre-industrial states to modern industrial economies with elevated standards of living.

With improving standards of living, the demand for financial security and opportunities escalates, underscoring the pivotal role of banking services. However, traditional banks face challenges stemming from bureaucratic processes and sometimes limited services. Conversely, fintech firms are gaining prominence owing to their convenience, user-friendly interfaces, and expedited signup procedures. Furthermore, their accessibility anytime and anywhere with internet connectivity enhances their appeal to the public.

Strong Demand for Financial Technology

The surge in digital banking adoption, particularly conspicuous in emerging markets, owes much to innovations originating in these regions. For instance, nearly nine out of ten consumers in the Asia-Pacific region, encompassing both emerging and developed markets, actively utilize digital banking services, with a significant portion expressing openness to expanding their usage through digital channels.

Enthusiastic adoption of fintech tools and e-wallets among consumers in emerging markets has propelled the market penetration of these innovative solutions beyond levels observed in developed markets. In the emerging Asia-Pacific region, the penetration of fintech apps and e-wallets surged to 54 percent in 2021, compared to 43 percent in the developed segment. This is indicative of the accelerating shift towards fintech transactions and services, as per McKinsey & Company.

A portmanteau of finance and technology, fintech refers to the burgeoning industry of companies utilizing computer programs and other technologies to provide support or enable banking and other financial services. In developed nations, there’s been a rapid expansion and adoption of fintech technologies ever since businesses and even governments started accepting digital financial transactions as a standard mode of payment. But even in emerging markets, the demand for fintech has also skyrocketed as more people report a diminishing reliance on cash for weekly expenditures.

Identifying Opportunities in Emerging Markets

Launching a successful digital bank entails navigating a myriad of challenges, irrespective of the market’s maturity. However, digital banking in emerging markets presents its own unique set of hurdles, particularly in securing widespread adoption among mass-market consumers. To thrive in any market landscape, a digital bank must first establish meaningful access to its target customers. While the initial interaction may appear straightforward in the digital realm, the reality proves more nuanced.

The proliferation of digital advertising notwithstanding, capturing customer attention remains a formidable task, compounded by the intricacies of onboarding procedures, even for digitally savvy clients. Moreover, the reliance on app downloads as a precursor to engagement further heightens the barriers to entry as first-time users may find them intimidating.

Building a solid trust relationship with customers is important for digital banks to maximize their opportunities in emerging markets. Trust, arguably the linchpin of sustained usage, demands meticulous investment in creating positive onboarding experiences and fostering comprehension of banking channels and products. However, achieving this trust quotient is not easy, especially in emerging markets with lower access to financial services and digital literacy.

Black Banx’s Success in Emerging Markets

Black Banx is a digital bank focused on empowering financial inclusion in emerging markets by integrating banking into digital ecosystems. It was founded by German billionaire Michael Gastauer who always believed that well-designed financial services have the potential to uplift even the most marginalized segments of society, providing them with enhanced economic opportunities.

Consequently, Black Banx is steadfast in its mission to promote financial inclusion while harnessing the advancements within the fintech landscape. Today’s digital technologies offer unprecedented tools to reconstruct banking paradigms, especially for those underserved by traditional financial institutions, with smartphones and laptops serving as gateways to financial empowerment. But while Black Banx makes use of the most advanced fintech technologies, including blockchain and artificial intelligence, it delivers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate user experience through its website and mobile app so even the inexperienced or less tech-savvy consumers won’t have a hard time using its platform to carry out financial transactions.

With his expertise and decades of experience in the financial industry, Gastauer has a keen eye for trends and what works in different markets. So instead of delivering different experiences for developed and emerging markets, the renowned fintech mogul opted to roll out the same suite of services to both because of his motivation to realize financial inclusion and offer only the best banking experience to all. As such, Black Banx facilitates seamless transitions between physical and digital currencies and even cryptocurrencies. The digital bank also tailors its channels to accommodate customers at various stages of their digital journey, ensuring that they feel guided every step of the way until they achieve their financial goals. All of these contribute to Black Banx’s success in emerging markets.