Get Stunning Images for Free: Commercial Use Made Easy

Did you know that some of the world’s most iconic advertisements use stock images for commercial use? For example, AlamapBBDO, a Brazilian ad agency, used stock photos from Getty Images to create their Endless Possibilities campaign in 2016. The advertising campaign combined photos of random people’s faces to recreate portraits of famous people such as the Dalai Lama and Pope Francis.

Most creative agencies prefer altering stock images in most of their work. This is because it allows them to create campaigns for different companies much faster at affordable costs. Keep reading to find out how to get free images for commercial use in your next project.

Part 1: Download images in loyalty-free sites

Several sites offer free images for commercial use as part of their services. In addition, you do not need to register an account to download the images. The sites typically rely on user contributions and content teams to ensure their databases are fresh and maintain consistent quality. Furthermore, all creative assets they offer fall under the creative commons zero license or a variation of it. Here are some of the sites that offer you images for commercial use for free.

1. Pexels

Pexels.com is a free-to-use provider of high-resolution photos and videos for aspiring creators. The German-based website was started in 2014 by two brothers and has been under the Canva umbrella since 2018.

Currently, the website hosts over 3.2 million images and videos from over 250,000 active contributors. In addition, all the material you find in its library is under the Pexels license, which slightly varies from the creative commons zero license model. Some of the restrictions it enforces include:

You can only use pexels images for commercial use after making alterations to the original image. For example, you can use part of an image to create a collage for your commercial branding.
Furthermore, you cannot use any of the website’s content to promote political ideologies and explicit content, especially if the images contain identifiable subjects.

Pexels is available through the following channels:

Your web browser by typing the URL pexels.com.
The Android and iOS app.
A plugin for other content creation software such as Google Slides and MS Office.
An extension on your Chrome browser.
You can also access the database using the official Canva app.

2. Unsplash

Another website that offers free images for commercial use is Unsplash, a subsidiary of Getty Images since 2021. The website is a favorite among creators boasting over 16 billion photo impressions monthly. In addition, the database consists of over 3.48 million photos from more than 265,000 unique contributors, all under the Unsplash license.

The Unsplash license restricts the sale of its creative assets without incorporating new creative elements, including using them in print media and physical goods such as mugs and caps.

You can access Unsplash from your web browser or request API integration for your application from the site’s owners. In addition, the site also hosts photo walks across different cities, where Unsplash guides show you the best photo locations around the city and the best camera techniques for your work. Some cities to host the event include Boston, Montreal, Tokyo, and Toronto.

3. Freerange

Freerange Stock is an online resource for photos, illustrations, and textures you can download and use for commercial and non-commercial purposes. Since 2007, the site has continued to provide high-quality images to its community of over 800,000 registered users.

Unlike the previous examples, all content on Freerange falls under the website’s Equalicense. It grants you broad commercial rights of its stock images while allowing the contributors to retain control of their copyright, image resale, and distribution. As such, you cannot use the images for bulk distribution or print-on-demand works.

Freerange Stock maintains its steady supply of images for commercial use via the following methods:

It has an in-house team of professional photographers who upload images across the different categories on the website.
Freerange Stock also purchases image rights or directly commissions photos from independent creators.
You can also contribute to the website’s library by voluntarily submitting your work to the platform. Kindly note that you will need a verified account to enable this function.
The website also works directly with photographers through a licensing and distribution model, providing them extra exposure on the site.
Finally, Freerange stock aggregates public domain images from other sources, including similar sites and government institutions. It does so by acknowledging the image owner and sometimes lists the image source when the owner is unknown.

Freerange Stock is accessible through your web browser or as an API integration on your app.

4. Vecteezy

Vecteezy is an extensive online library of free stock images for commercial use. Some of the site’s highlight features include the following:

A best-in-class search engine that incorporates multiple filters to ensure your results are extremely accurate. For example, you can sort images by color, style, number of people, and age of the subjects, something other free stock websites do not provide.
All images, videos, and vector illustrations are free for personal and commercial uses. It does so through a property sign and release model with its extensive network of contributors, which protects users from any legal liabilities.
Finally, it employs a content team that manually reviews each photo submission to ensure consistent quality standards for its offerings.

In addition, you can also purchase design resource bundles by subscribing to its Vecteezy pro for as little as $9 monthly. Some of the resources available include the Ultimate Text Effects Layer Styles Bundle for Photoshop, which costs $39 stand-alone or $4.50 when you subscribe to pro.

Part 2: Buy from stock providers

Another way to get images for commercial use is by buying them from stock providers. Some of the benefits of buying images from stock providers include:

You get a wide selection of unique photos from top-tier photographers. Stock providers always seek collaborations with the industry’s finest to edge out the competition.
You receive exemplary customer service with your purchase. Selecting the right image can be confusing for amateur creators. As such, stock image providers have customer support channels to help you throughout your creative process.
Stock images reduce your delivery times significantly. Buying images from a stock provider eliminates the need to invest in photography equipment and the time you need for post-production. As such, you can deliver projects in a fast and cost-effective way.

Despite the above positive, here are some challenges that buying stock images may present:

Not all stock image providers will have the creative assets you need.
Image overuse is likely since every creator will rush for the most popular contributor.

Below are some of the stock image providers you should consider.

1. iStock

iStockphoto.com is an online database of creative resources, including royalty-free photos, videos, audio, illustrations, and clip art you can use in your creations. The website is a Getty Images subsidiary based in Calgary, Canada. In addition, contributors earn royalties depending on how often users download their content.

2. Alamy.com

Alamy.com is a British-owned stock image provider with contributions from photographers and agencies in 173 countries. It compensates its contributors by offering higher than average payouts every time users download their creations. Some popular brands to use Alamy’s services include M&C Saatchi, Microsoft, and The Economist.

Part 3: Shot a Photo by yourself or create one with editing tools

Alternatively, you can get images for commercial use by shooting them yourself or creating them with editing tools such as Figma and Wondershare’s Filmstock. Here are some benefits of using this method:

You get exactly what you want, provided you have the required skills and equipment. Sometimes, getting the right image for your commercial purpose can be challenging. As such, shooting an original photo may be the only option.
You have full ownership of the image.

Unlike obtaining images from stock photography websites, you are free to use the image in whatever capacity you please without any restrictions. For example, sites such as Unsplash do not allow you to use their images in political statements, a restriction you can bypass when using your own creations.

However, you should also consider the following factors when using this method.

It requires a substantial investment

Getting high-quality images for commercial purposes requires specialist equipment. For example, the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 camera, which has 4K resolution capability, costs $2,197 on Amazon. This makes it extremely expensive for amateur creators.

There is a steep learning curve

Becoming a professional photographer takes time and effort. Unless you are creating as a hobby, it will be a while before you can start generating income from your creations.

Part 4: FAQs

1. Do you need a contributor account to get images for commercial use?

Not necessarily. Stock image sites like pexels.com allow you to download images from their website without creating an account. You will only need one if you want to showcase your work on the platform.

2. Can you use your smartphone to get images for commercial use?

Yes. Most stock image providers have device-specific apps that allow you to access their databases from your mobile device. For example, UnsplashPhotoPicker allows you access to the Unsplash library from your Android device.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Video Resume Mastery: Top 4 Tools and Free Templates for Success

4 Best Video Resume Makers in 2024

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Video resume, or Visumé, Video CV, is a new way for job applicants to demonstrate their capabilities. As video sharing is getting popular, more and more job seeks to try to use video resumes.

Creating a video resume can be just the thing that will distinguish your application from all others. However, whether or not you should add a video resume to your job application, depends on the company, the position you’re applying for and your video editing skills.

Video resumes can be quite effective if used in the right context, and that is the reason that we’re here. Below are some of the best video resume makers you can use to get the job you’ve always wanted.

Part 1: Best Video Resume Makers
Part 2: What should be included in a video resume?
Part 3: How to make a video resume with Filmora?
Part 4: Tips for creating a better video resume
Part 5: Creative Video Resumes Examples

Part 1: 4 Best Video Resume Makers

From a technical standpoint, creating a video resume isn’t much different from making any other type of video , since you are going to need a webcam, a video camera , or a screen recording software to capture the footage and video editing software to piece the footage together.

You may also need the lighting equipment, a couple of different camera lenses , or a tripod if you want to make sure that your footage meets the highest professional standards. Let’s take a look at the best video resume makers that will enable you to combine your footage in virtually any way you want.

1. Biteable

Price: Free version available, $23 per month billed annually

Compatibility: Web-based

Biteable video resume template editing interface

This is a perfect option if you’ve already edited your video resume and you just want to add music, text overlays or opening titles. Biteable lets you choose from a large number of video templates you can customize easily, so once you create an account on this platform you can just select a template and upload a video to it.

Biteable video resume templates

All videos resumes you export with the free version of the Biteable platform are going to be watermarked, and you must purchase a premium plan if you don’t want your video resumes to have the Biteable’s watermark over them.

2. Animaker

Price: Free version available, pricing plans start from $12 per month billed annually

Compatibility: Cloud-based

Animaker video resume editing interface

Animaker is equipped with a selection of video resume templates for designers, marketers, and developers that enable you to create your own resume in just a couple of minutes. This cloud-based software lets you upload your own videos, photos, and music, but it also features a huge animation and music libraries you can use to make your resume more charming.

The maximum duration of a video you can produce with Animaker depends on the subscription plan, which is why you can’t make videos that are longer than two minutes if you are using the free version of Animaker. Keep in mind that the maximum number of videos you can export each month also depends on the subscription plan you have.

3. Camtasia

Price: Free trial available, pricing plans start from $177.17 per year

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

This video editing software for Mac and PC computers grants you complete creative freedom over the process of making a video resume. You can use Camtasia to record videos using a webcam while recording your computer’s screen at the same time. In addition, you can import video files in a wide range of file formats into your project and use them to make your resume more informative.

Camtasia lets you cut or trim all video clips you place on its timeline, which means that you can remove all parts of the video clips you don’t want your potential employers to see. Adding text overlays, visual effects or creating perfect soundtracks for your video resumes are just a few among countless options Camtasia offers.

4. Filmora

Price: Free trial available, $49.99 for one-year [at this time of reviewing]

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

Filmora is an all-in-one video recording and video editing software. Making a video resume with Filmora is easy. You can record your webcam and your voice at the same time, or you can import the footage you’d like to use in your video resume. You can remove all segments that don’t fit into the structure of your video resume easily.

Filmora has huge visual effects, music and sound effects libraries you can use on all projects you edit with this software. Besides the video effects pre-programmed in the video editor, you can also download and use some video effects, especially for businesses to make the video resume more professional. What’s more, you can export all your videos to your YouTube channel directly from Filmora and save time on uploading your video resume and all other videos you create with this software to the Internet.

Part 2: What should be included in a video resume?

In essence, there is no difference between a video resume and a paper resume, which are means of obtaining an interview. So, in the video resume, the following information should be included as well:

Education background: When recording video resumes, briefly introduce the educational experience and qualifications, the majors and graduates, and the specific skills and abilities if necessary.

Work experience: Focus on past jobs and positions and achievements.

Training experience: What kind of skills training did you participate in, and what benefits do you get from it?

Job intention: which position you’re applying for, and why do you want to this job. You can state it from your majors and your future career plans.

Concluding remarks: you can end your resume recording with sentences like Thank you for watching my resume and looking forward to the opportunity to get an interview.

Part 3: How to Make a video resume with Filmora?

Making videos in Filmora is easy, import your captured resume footage, do some basic editing, add some effects and titles, and save and share.

Import video footage or record

If you’ve recorded your resume video with your phone or camera already, you can import them to Filmora directly. Click the Import menu and then select Import from a Camera or a phone.

You can also click Import Media Files Here to import the recorded media from your computer step by step.

You can also record the video with the webcam on your computer. To do this, click the Record menu and then select Record from Webcam.

All imported media files or recorded files will appear in the Project Media library.

Check our tips and tricks for shooting and recording videos .

Add media to timeline and do some basic editing

Drag the media files you want to edit into the timeline panel. Click the Spacebar to preview the media on timeline in the Preview window.

In most cases, you may need to trim, split and cut out unwanted parts from the recorded video CV. All this can be done quickly in Filmora.

Polishing video

If your recorded video footage is shaky, you can stabilize it in Filmora with the Video Stabilization feature.

If the lighting isn’t so beautiful in recording, you can adjust the contrast, hue and temperature to correct the color .

Add titles & subtitles

You can also add some vital information as titles to emphasis.

Of course, you can also add subtitles , so even when people watch your Visume in mute, you can still know what you’re talking about.

Save and share

When you’re satisfied with the video and want to save it, click the Export button to save it on your computer directly.

There’re several formats available, but MP4 is highly-recommended considering the capacity.

Part 4: Tips That Are Going to Help You Make a Better Video Resume

Creating your first video resume can be an intimidating task, so here are a few tips that will help you go through the process smoothly.

Relax, you can always do another take – Don’t panic if at first, you have a tough time remembering your lines. Just relax, because the shot is going to look much better if you act naturally.

Less is more – Respect the time of your potential employers by keeping your video resume short. Video resumes that last between one and two minutes often produce the best results.

Don’t improvise, make a script – Put your ideas on paper, that will make them much easier to remember once the camera starts rolling.

Focus on what you’re good at – You have a limited amount of time to explain why you are the right candidate for the job, don’t waste that time on talking about your weaknesses.

Don’t forget your audience – Try to understand what the people who are going to watch the video like and what they don’t like. If you manage to do this, your video resume is going to grab the attention of its viewers.

Part 5: Creative Video Resumes Examples

You can find more videos about Video Resume on YouTube, and I’ve selected some creative ones so you can have a quick look.

Mark Leruste introduced himself in a joyful way. In his video, we can see there’re lots of visual effects used.

Video production credits: Mickey Mahut

In Denny’s Video Resume, he added upbeat background music to demonstrate his experience in an upbeat atmosphere. He shared his filmmaking experience, editing techniques, achievement, and thoughts in this 2-minute video.

Video production credits: Denny Kremblas Creative

Conclusion

The job market is highly competitive, which is why you shouldn’t hesitate to use all means available to you to get the job you want. The video resume makers, we presented in this article, offer a wide array of tools, but it is up to you to find a way to use these tools creatively. What is your favorite method of creating a video resume? Leave a comment and let us know.

And you’re exploring the power of video and looking for a good video editing software, download and try Filmora video editor.

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown