#exotic animal photo reference repository

[why-animals-do-the-thing]

Pssst... something new is coming...

...this weekend!

Free, non-AI animal art references.

[animalphotorefs]

Free, non-AI art reference images: Cheetahs!

Yesterday was National Cheetah Day, so I'm a little late to the party, but we can still feast our eyes on (and feed our pens/pencils with) these spotted icons.

Sourced from the Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use these photos as references, including works that will/may be sold.

Want more cheetah reference images? Find them here.

** Patreon ** -- *Ko-Fi**

[canon-in-too-deep]

Typesetting Tips 4.5: Graphics/Images

One common question I see popping up for people getting into making books/typesets is 'where do I find graphics/images to decorate my books with?' And of course, that's with the caveat of 'and they're free'.

Thus, this is a continuation of my old post on where to find graphics/images to use for typesetting/book design. Because it's been half a year since then, and while I am very much the same amateur typesetter I was then, I am now a slightly older amateur typesetter---who knows more websites!

(I'm including websites I've listed before so that all the links are in one post)

All these sites have free offerings to varying degrees. Personally, I haven't had to pay anything so far for that I've used. If you see something you like that's locked behind a paywall, try to reverse google search it to see if there's a free version out there! I've seen a lot of these sites upload the same images. Also, be careful of AI!

Graphic/Image Resources:

Archive.org - Internet Archive. Not as easy to download or use images from, but there are a lot of cool resources there if you have the time.

Canva - Easy to use for beginning design work. I recommend taking advantage of their month long free trial (I found it easy to cancel as well when it was over), but do not recommend subscribing.

Creative Fabrica - They send out a lot of free bundle promos in their email subscriptions. I mostly use them for fonts but they do have a lot of free resources for crafting.

Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository - This is an animal photography database by @why-animals-do-the-thing! They have a lovely growing repository that's both education and free! Just be sure to ask permission and credit and link to them if you to use their work!

Freepik - More free stuff! I haven't used it a lot yet, but I've seen this site recced by others.

Heritage Library - Lot of neat pngs/vectors. Especially great if you're looking for vintage/nature images.

Pixabay - Royalty free and under the Content License

Rawpixel - Probably the site I use the most. I sort to exclude all the AI images and just use the free/public domain stuff.

Noun Project - Lots of icons available. Tend to be more minimalistic and simple. I know a lot of bookbinders use this site, though I haven't explored it much.

Smithsonian - The Smithsonian Open Access is free database from the Smithsonian with millions of images available.

Streamlinehq - Another site with a lot of free icons. Most of their really cool assets cost money, but you can sign up for free with an email address to download 10 free assets if you see something you really like.

Wikiart - Great place to look at public domain artwork.

Wikimedia Commons - (Wikimedia Commons, Wikisource, Wiki Books, etc.) Tons of stuff to sift through.

Last source: FONTS! You can go a long way with dingbat fonts for decorations! Frames, ornaments, etc. can be done with fonts. Check out dafont and other free font sites; fonts can sometimes be a lot easier to use in texts than images.

[heliosynchronisity]

[roryacker]

part 5 continues to win the battle over my brain but I can draw for once so!! Dog!!!

original image from animal-photo-references.com/Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository, I needed a reference and when I saw the expression on this wolf's face I knew I had found the one

I'm still smoothing out the design. My back hurts. It's cold and my arthritis is acting up. I simply want to lay down. But I did get this done so that's nice. Part 5 is comin soon I promise. You ain't gonna see it comin I swear. God I hate burnout

[why-animals-do-the-thing]

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is live!

You can find it at: https://www.animal-photo-references.com!

Here's how this repository works: all photos were taken by me, a human, at zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and other facilities with animals in human care. There is no AI involved in the photo editing or creation and there never will be. Right now there's 56 species on the site; my catalog has over 300 and I will be uploading the rest of them as fast as I can.

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use these references. Yes, even for work you're going to sell.

All other usage/reproduction requires permission, but assume I'm friendly and please do ask! That's educators, researchers, the media, people who need images for a school presentation, etc. This is just to retain copyright/control in case they're scraped/reused unethically - it doesn't meant I don't want folk to have access! So please do reach out via the contact form on the repository website, I don't bite and I'm most likely going to say yes.

Please don't repost the repository photos to your own blogs: I've created @animalphotorefs as a dedicated blog to share photos from the site, and of course I'll reblog a lot of it here! That again just helps with retaining copyright and sourcing of the images. If you really want to repost some for a specific purpose, please just ask me first!

Also, folks, this project has no funding. It's just me and my camera.

There will never be a paywall on the site - I believe resources like this absolutely must be free for everyone to access. So please, please, please support the repository if you use it. Want sneak peeks at photos, cute videos I take, or to help choose what I photograph and what gets posted first? You can do that through Patreon (and there's a free trial on the most interactive tier!) If you'd like to just drop a tip, I've also set up a Ko-Fi.

I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks of the repository.

To whet your thirst for cute photos, here's an Indian rhinoceros contemplating a goose.

[android-turret]

I used this pic as a ref for the pose, I needed to share such a cool site.

Big thanks to @animalphotorefs for making a reliable ref site free from ai! I look forward to seeing this site grow!

Colored cat

[animalphotorefs]

Free, non-AI art reference images: male African lions.

Sourced from the Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use these photos as references, including works that will/may be sold. Go forth and make lions!

Want more lion reference images? Find them here.

** Patreon ** -- *Ko-Fi**

[animalphotorefs]

#creaturecomfortqueue - Snow Leopard

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use this and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold. The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project.

[animalphotorefs]

#creaturecomfortqueue - Snow Leopard

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use these and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold. The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project.

[animalphotorefs]

Merry Christmas! I got you a close look at the pointy parts of a Nile crocodile.

Nile crocodiles are now up on the repository!

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold.

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is permanently open-access and funded entirely by donations, please consider contributing if you can!

** Patreon ** -- *Ko-Fi**

[animalphotorefs]

Free, non-AI art reference images: Komodo Dragons!

Sourced from the Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use these photos as references, including works that will/may be sold.

Want more komodo dragon reference images? Find them here.

** Patreon ** -- *Ko-Fi**

[animalphotorefs]

New species added: American Badgers

These fuzzy buddies are the newest mustelids on the site!

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold.

The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is permanently open-access and funded entirely by donations, please consider contributing if you can!

** Patreon ** -- *Ko-Fi**

[animalphotorefs]

These are all recent images uploaded to the Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository! They're untouched by AI, taken by me, and all completely free-to-use as references for artists.

But! the image repository doesn't have funding - it's entirely supported by donations from supporters.

If you're able to contribute, please do, to help this site exist for everyone! If you'd like lots of behinds the scenes content and updates, there's a Patreon:

Or if you'd just like to send a one-time contribution, there's a Ko-Fi:

You're welcome to use the references for your art regardless of if you contribute financially - this is a free resource for a reason.

But if you do use it, please consider throwing a little bit towards it when you can, or spread the word!

[animalphotorefs]

#creaturecomfortqueue - Cougars

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission to use this and all photos in the repository as references, including works that will/may be sold. The Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project.