There’s nothing more dull then a stock PowerPoint template, loaded with even less inspiring clip art and bullet points. A sure way to spice up your presentations is by using great images… and let’s face it… sometimes you just don’t WANT to pay for them.

There is a solution!

So, here are a few of my favorite websites I often peruse:

  • Stock Xchng – You will have to register, but it’s well worth it. You can definitely find some top quality images that can easily be used in presentations. Some of my favorites are the images with a white background, like this one.
  • everystockphoto – This service scrapes a number of free stock photo websites and pulls them all together. Think of it as a stock image aggregator.
  • StockVault – Similar service to Stock Xchng. You can find really great images that are of professional quality and would look great projected on a screen.
  • FreePhotosBank – Free Stock Photos, just like the title says. Great thing about this service is that you don’t need to create an account. You can just log onto the website and search for images related to your presentation and download them freely.
  • Flickr – Probably one of the best services ever invented. Anyone can upload photos and there are literally thousands of photos uploaded every day. Some of them have been rights-reserved, so best way to approach Flickr is to use the Advanced Search option and scroll to the bottom. Check the “Only search within Creative Commons-licensed content” box and be on your merry way.

When I use other people’s photos I haven’t paid for, but that are under the Creative Commons License, I always include a photo credit either at the end of the slideshow or at the bottom of every photo used. It’s just a nice way to express your thanks to the photographer who just supplied you with killer images free of charge.

Good luck and happy photo hunting. May your presentations suck a little less every day!