When putting together the storyboard for your video campaign, it’s likely you’ll need images and videos. This is a quick guide on where you can find both free and royalty-free images and videos to make your task easier.

You’ll want a variety of images and videos to bring your video to life. However, using copyrighted material without permission can lead to legal issues and fines; and licensed imagery can be very expensive.

Royalty-free images and videos are media files that you can use without paying a licensing fee for each use. Once you purchase an initial licence, you can use the images and videos as many times as you want without any additional fees. These licences often come with certain terms and conditions that dictate how you can use the media.

Where can I find free and royalty-free images and videos?

Image library websites

Image library (or stock imagery) websites are a popular source of royalty-free images and videos. These websites offer a vast collection of high-quality imagery you can purchase under different licensing options.

Some of the most popular image library websites are:

• iStock
• Shutterstock
• Getty Images
• Alamy
• Adobe Stock

Creative Commons

Creative Commons is a non-profit organisation that allows content creators to licence their work in different ways. These licences give users the right to use the content, depending on the terms of the licence. You can find royalty-free images and videos on Creative Commons by searching through its database or searching on Google Images, using the ‘usage rights’ filter, selecting Creative Commons .

Free image library websites

There are also many free image library websites where you can find royalty-free images and videos, without paying any licensing fees. These websites often have a limited selection of images and videos, but they can still be very useful for finding high-quality imagery. 

Some of the most popular free image library websites are:

• Unsplash
• Pexels
• Pixabay

Tips for finding free and royalty-free images and videos:

Consider your brand tone and style

When choosing imagery for your storyboard or video, consider what tone and style you want to convey. You want to choose imagery that aligns with your message and is the right look and feel for your brand. Consider the colours, lighting, and subject matter. Choosing dimly lit footage, would be at odds with your brand if the tone was lively and friendly, for example.

Use relevant keywords

When searching for royalty-free images and videos, carefully consider the keywords you use. For example, if you’re creating a storyboard for a travel video, you might use keywords like ‘beach’, ‘mountains’ and ‘adventure’. But do also consider narrower search terms, such as ‘sand’, ‘flip flops’ and ‘beach towel’; as well as more niche terms, like ‘wanderlust’, for example.

Use advanced search filters

Most image library websites and search engines have advanced search filters that can help you to quickly narrow down your search results. Use filters like type, orientation, colour and size to find imagery that closely matches what you’re after.

Finding royalty-free images and video is a key part of any Social Pops personalised video campaign. Using the resources listed above will help you to find high-quality imagery you can use legally and ethically. Happy searching!