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All available for free download, this is our selection of the top 10 of the very best royalty-free stock images you can find in 2022 on Adobe Stock.

For many creative professionals, Adobe Stock is the number one online marketplace to both offer and acquire stock images, illustrations, vector graphics, 3D objects, videos, audio files, or a wide range of templates for design tools such as Adobe PhotoshopIllustrator, and InDesign. But what many don’t know, there is also a great collection of free products available on Adobe Stock (including royalty-free images). To be honest, the great number of photos makes it quite difficult to find the real gems. That’s why we wanted to make it a little easier for you with this handpicked selection of the top ten best royalty-free stock images that are available on Adobe Stock in 2022. Our selection is mostly based on two aspects, quality and zeitgeist. Below you can find our top ten selection of the very best images you can get on Adobe Stock as a free download.

10. A photo of the milky way behind Mount Rainier in Washington State.

Milky Way Galaxy behind Mount Rainier in Washington State.
Milky Way Galaxy behind Mount Rainier in Washington State. Photo by @Michael.

Isn’t it beautiful? This masterfully shot photo of Mount Rainier on a starry night shows the beauty of the importance to protect our environment. Unfortunately, climate change will not stop in 2022 and humanity must act now. The photo is available for free download in 4200 x 2803px.

9. A photo of Gran Vía, the historic shopping street in Madrid.

Main shopping street in Madrid.
Main shopping street in Madrid. Photo by @contributorekoho.

Madrid is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and impressive cities in Europe. Spain’s capital is characterized by majestic buildings and a very special atmosphere. This photo, with its dramatic evening sky and golden lights, really captures the beauty of the city. The free image is available in a very high resolution of 7090 x 3988px.

8. A photo of a lonely, depressed woman sitting on the floor in the living room.

A lonesome, depressed woman is sitting on the floor in the living room.
A lonesome, depressed woman is sitting on the floor in the living room. Photo by @Daniel Jędzura.

Often caused by stress or the increasing isolation caused by COVID-19, depression is no longer a taboo in today’s society. Unfortunately, many people struggle with this mental disease. Whatever the reason, this royalty-free stock image in the size 5000 x 3333px of a lonely woman sitting on the floor captures the topic perfectly.

7. Kangaroo at Lucky Bay in the Cape Le Grand National

Kangaroo at Lucky Bay in the Cape Le Grand National.
Kangaroo at Lucky Bay in the Cape Le Grand National. Photo by @Anekoho.

Isn’t it cute? We can’t get enough of these cute animal photographs and of course, this will not change in 2022. Especially those wildlife images remind us of how the world should actually be, without the massive impact of mankind. The kangaroo photo is available for free download in the size of 7582 x 5055px.

6. Ski mountaineering in a fairytale place.

Ascent ski mountaineering in a fairytale place.
Ascent ski mountaineering in a fairytale place. Photo by @Michelangeloop.

Who is ready for a new adventure? After two years of a pandemic with severe restrictions on our freedom, most people long for new experiences. There is this insatiable desire to get out again, to travel, to do sports, and to explore the world. Even if you’re not a skier, this picture is pure freedom.

5. Fine art underwater photography of a girl in a red dress.

Fine art underwater photography of a girl in a red dress.
Fine art underwater photography of a girl in a red dress. Photo by @Dmitry.

This underwater shot beautifully shows the elegance and aesthetics of femininity. It conveys a very own sensuality. This kind of fashion-inspired underwater fine art photography is currently very trendy and it’s hard to believe that this image is available for free.

4. A royalty-free stock image of a little hummingbird in Costa Rica.

Hummingbird at Costa Rica.
Hummingbird in Costa Rica. Photo by @macs.

This great shot of a little hummingbird in Costa Rica is another great example of an image that shows unspoiled nature in the most beautiful way. The photo is ideal for all environmental topics. You can get it for free in the size 4896 x 3264px.

3. Learning or working from home.

Learning or working from home.
Learning or working from home. Photo by @Drobot Dean.

Learning or working from home is another trend that got a massive push from the ongoing pandemic. This nice shot of a young man sitting at home on his couch while working or learning in front of his laptop captures the topic of remote work perfectly. The royalty-free image is available in a very high resolution (7952 x 5304px).

2. Drone view of Nyang Nyang Beach (Pantai Nyang Nyang), South Bali, Indonesia.

Drone view of Nyang Nyang Beach (Pantai Nyang Nyang), South Bali, Indonesia.
Drone view of Nyang Nyang Beach (Pantai Nyang Nyang), South Bali, Indonesia. Photo by @Travel Wild.

This drone shot of a bird’s eye view of a Balinese beach makes you dream of a vacation, right? Just look at the colors—we can really feel the image. There is also a nice balance in this image that we enjoy so much. The photo is available in 5464 x 3640px.

1. Reading a book on the sofa with a cuddling cat.

Reading a book on the sofa with a cuddling cat.
Reading a book on the sofa with a cuddling cat. Photo by @Catto32.

What a cozy way to spend an evening. Just sitting on a couch with a great read while cuddling with a cat, that’s just perfect. This picture evokes many longings and emotions, and that’s why it’s our top pick of the top 10 best royalty-free stock images on Adobe Stock in 2022. You can get this photo with a resolution of 4720 x 3110px.


All images © by the respective photographers. That was our handpicked selection of the top 10 royalty-free images on Adobe Stock in 2022. Of course, that are many more amazing images on the platform. If you want to see more, just take a look here. For those who want to see other design assets, we recommend you take a look at our Templates category.

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