As a content creator and online business owner, you know that scroll-stopping visuals can mean the difference between a sale and a swipe.

High-quality photos and videos don’t just make your content look professional—they help you build trust, showcase your offerings, and convert browsers into buyers.

The right stock media can save you thousands on custom photoshoots while still letting you create thumb-stopping social posts, polished websites, and marketing campaigns that look like you hired a professional creative team.

Let me show you the 9 premium libraries that successful online entrepreneurs rely on to create content that converts.

_{Photo Creds: Ashleigh Jordyn Photography}

Why Use Stock Photos & Videos?

Reason #1: Time-saving

Creating quality content takes time. That’s no question. By using stock photos or videos, you can find and the perfect visuals in minutes instead of coordinating photoshoots, hiring models, scouting locations, and editing raw footage. This means you can focus on what really matters—growing your business and serving your clients.

Reason #2: Cost-effective

A single professional photoshoot can cost thousands of dollars when you factor in photographer fees, equipment, models, location rentals, and post-production. Stock photo subscriptions give you unlimited access to professional-grade visuals for what you’d typically spend on just one custom shoot. For online business owners, this means more budget available for other growth initiatives.

Reason #3: Variety

Custom shoots limit you to what you can capture in a day, but stock libraries offer millions of options at your fingertips. Need lifestyle photos for your course launch, flat lays for your social media, and video b-roll for your ads? Stock libraries let you experiment with different styles and themes without additional cost or commitment. This flexibility is helpful when testing different marketing approaches!

Reason #4: Consistency

Building a recognizable brand takes more than just a logo—it requires a cohesive visual style across all platforms. Stock libraries let you find photos and videos with similar lighting, color schemes, and aesthetics, making it easy to maintain a professional look whether you’re updating your website, creating social content, or designing email campaigns.

Reason #5: Professional quality

Stock media is created by professional photographers and videographers using top-tier equipment. This means you get perfectly lit, properly composed, high-resolution assets that look great on any device. No more worrying about amateur-looking visuals damaging your brand’s credibility.

Reason #6: Quick turnaround

In the fast-paced world of online business, opportunities can arise suddenly. Maybe you need visuals for a last-minute collaboration or want to capitalize on a trending topic. Stock media lets you find and download what you need instantly, so you never miss a chance to engage your audience or promote your offerings.

_{Photo Creds: Ashleigh Jordyn Photography}

What to Look for in a Stock Media Library

Before we dive into the top libraries, let’s talk about what makes a stock media platform worth your investment:

• Search functionality: You should be able to quickly find what you need with filters for style, orientation, color, and more
• Fresh content: Regular updates with contemporary, on-trend visuals
• Diverse representation: Images featuring various ages, ethnicities, and body types
• Commercial licensing: Clear terms that protect your business
• Download limits: Generous monthly downloads or unlimited access
• Price point: Affordable monthly or annual subscription options
• Image resolution: High-quality files suitable for all platforms
• Style variety: From minimal flat lays to lifestyle shots to abstract designs

9 Top Stock Photo & Video Websites for Online Business Owners

Now let’s dive into the reason you came here, my curated collection of Stock Media Memberships and websites!

1. Styled Stock Society

• Photos: Feminine, lifestyle-focused imagery
• Videos: Stylish B-roll perfect for social media stories and reels
• Best for: Bloggers, coaches, and service-based entrepreneurs

2. The Vault Stock

• Photos: Extensive collection of lifestyle and business-themed images
• Videos: Professional office scenes and lifestyle footage
• Best for: Creating cohesive visual content across multiple platforms

3. Haute Stock

• Photos: Stylish, contemporary images
• Videos: Trendy, seasonal video content
• Best for: Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands

4. Styled Stock Co.

• Photos: Curated collections of professional, on-trend photos
• Videos: Modern lifestyle and business footage
• Best for: Digital entrepreneurs and online educators

5. Ivory Mix

• Photos: Diverse range of neutral, versatile imagery
• Videos: Minimalist video content suitable for various industries
• Best for: Businesses seeking a clean, professional aesthetic

6. Styled Stock House

• Photos: Workplace and lifestyle photos
• Videos: Day-in-the-life style footage
• Best for: Service-based businesses and digital entrepreneurs

7. My Vanilla Gallery

• Photos: Minimalist, clean imagery
• Videos: Simple, elegant video clips
• Best for: Luxury brands and high-end service providers

8. Kaboompics

• Photos: Free high-quality images
• Videos: Limited video selection (if available)
• Best for: Businesses on a tight budget

9. Dupe Photos

• Photos: Affordable alternatives to popular stock photo styles
• Videos: Budget-friendly video options
• Best for: Startups and small businesses

Tips to Make Stock Photos & Videos Look Like Custom Content

Stay on Brand: Every visual you choose should be consistent with your branding. This means more than just picking “pretty” photos—it’s about strategic selection that aligns with your brand:

• Match your color palette: Look for images that feature or can be edited to include your brand colors
• Reflect your brand personality: If your brand is bold and energetic, choose vibrant, dynamic visuals. For luxury brands, opt for elegant, minimalist compositions
• Maintain consistent style: Whether you prefer bright and airy or dark and moody, stick to a cohesive aesthetic across all platforms
• Consider your audience: Choose visuals that resonate with your ideal client’s lifestyle and aspirations

Mix It Up: Make sure you balance stock and original content, it still is worth having a photoshoot done for pictures of you!

• Personal photos: Include actual team photos and workspace shots to build connection
• Custom graphics: Overlay your branding elements or text on stock photos to create unique assets
• Varied content types: Mix lifestyle photos, flat lays, illustrations, and videos to keep your content fresh
• User-generated content: Incorporate customer photos alongside stock images for social proof

Check Licenses: Make sure to protect your business by understanding usage rights

• Read the fine print: Know exactly what you can and can’t do with each asset
• Track usage: Keep records of where and when you use licensed content
• Note restrictions: Some images may have limitations on commercial use or require attribution
• Consider duration: Some licenses might expire after a certain period
• Multiple platforms: Ensure your license covers all your intended uses (social media, advertising, print materials)

Customize When Possible: Transform stock content into unique brand assets

• Crop strategically: Reframe images to create different compositions or highlight specific elements
• Add branded elements: Overlay your logo, icons, or typography
• Adjust colors: Use editing tools to shift hues to match your brand palette
• Create templates: Develop consistent layouts that combine stock photos with your branding
• Add filters: Apply consistent editing styles to unify different stock photos
• Combine images: Create collages or composite images for truly unique visuals

_{Photo Creds: Ashleigh Jordyn Photography}

Conclusion: Stock Photo & Video Memberships for Online Business Owners

Time to start diving in! These websites can be strong allies in your content creation game. Try each one out to see if they match your vibe (a lot of them do have free offers so you can get a taste of their photography style!) and get started making content.

Remember, the key to successful use of stock content is to find visuals that align with your brand and match the vibes you’re trying to go for. With all of stock photo and video membership available, you’ve got tons of resources in your back pocket to batch out your next content.