10 inclusive stock photo resources for designers 

Designing more inclusive work requires access to imagery that reflects a broader range of identities and lived experiences. 

This shortlist from RGD’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee highlights a selection of stock photo and illustration resources that improve representation across race, gender identity, disability, age and body diversity. It’s not exhaustive, but offers a starting point for sourcing more thoughtful, representative visuals.

Age Without Limits Image Library

Access: Free

A collection of images portraying people aged 50+ in realistic, non-stereotypical ways. Useful for avoiding common clichés around aging and better reflecting a broader range of later-life experiences.

Black Illustrations

Access: Paid (with some free samples)

A curated library of illustrations depicting Black people across a range of everyday scenarios. Particularly useful for digital products, websites and UI work where illustration systems are needed.

Creativity with a Conscience

Access: Free

Canadian-based, this is a regularly updated directory of diverse stock photo libraries, organized by category. A useful meta-resource for when you need to go deeper or find niche representation not covered by mainstream platforms.

Disabled And Here

Access: Free

A disability-led project featuring disabled BIPOC individuals. The collection centres intersectional representation and offers more candid, community-driven imagery than traditional stock libraries.

Disinfluencer

Access: Paid (subscription or per image)

A curated image library featuring people with disabilities, chronic illness and diverse body types in everyday contexts. The work prioritizes lived experience and avoids overly staged or idealized representations.

Nappy

Access: Free

A collection of high-resolution photos featuring Black and Brown people. Images are contemporary and lifestyle-focused, making them suitable for editorial, marketing and digital use.

PhotoAbility

Access: Paid

A specialist stock library focused on authentic representation of people with disabilities across travel, lifestyle and active environments. The imagery emphasizes participation and independence, helping move beyond clinical or tokenistic portrayals.

The Gender Spectrum Collection

Access: Free (via partnership platforms such as Getty Images)

A stock photo library featuring trans and non-binary people in everyday contexts. The collection moves beyond stereotypical portrayals, showing a wider range of lived experiences.

TONL

Access: Paid

A premium stock photo platform focused on culturally diverse imagery. TONL offers more polished, commercial-ready visuals often used in branding and advertising contexts.

#WOCinTech

Access: Free (Creative Commons via Flickr)

A collection of images featuring women of colour in technology roles. Particularly useful for editorial and corporate communications, with flexible licensing depending on usage.

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This list reflects a small set of tools that can help expand how people and communities are represented in design work across race, gender, ability and age. If you have resources or references that should be included in future editions, contributions can be as simple as sharing a link and a short note on why it’s useful. If you’re interested in shaping resources like this more directly, consider joining RGD’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and contributing to ongoing initiatives that support a more inclusive design industry.

AI transparency note: The resources have been organically collected from the D&I Committee, but the written content was drafted and spellchecked through the assistance of ChatGPT and Grammarly.