Pexels: Inspiration? Reference? Or Just a Free-for-All?

Let’s talk about Pexels.

Yeah, that wonderful treasure chest of crisp photography and stock video, all free to download, with no strings attached. Or are there?

We’ve all dipped into it — whether you’re mocking up a concept, creating social content on the fly, or just pulling a background that ‘feels creative.’ It’s undeniably useful. But here’s the thing… how often do we think about the creator behind that freebie we just dragged into our design?

Pexels runs on the premise of open sharing , no attribution required. That’s the deal. You upload your content, and in return, your work might be used by a student, a brand, or a global campaign. That’s the charm and the catch.

Here's a quick reality check from my own experience:

In less than a week, one of my drone clips passed 50,000 views.

https://www.pexels.com/video/breathtaking-sunset-over-forth-bridge-scotland-33021582/

Nice!!

But it’s also been downloaded over 110 times and I have zero clue where it’s gone. Could be someone’s reel, a tourism ad or buried in the background of a crypto promo. Who knows? There’s no notification, no attribution trail, and no context. Just a number ticking up like a silent applause in an empty room.

And that leads to a bigger question...

Has anyone ever actually received a donation for their uploads? Pexels has a donation button, but let’s be honest — is anyone clicking it?

We’re in a digital era where creators are expected to give and give, just to maybe, maybe, get some exposure in return. But with the sheer volume of downloads on platforms like this, is it even remotely possible to track where your image ends up? Who’s using it? And for what purpose? More importantly: should attribution be a default, not an optional courtesy?

As a designer, here’s the real kicker:

When you use Pexels, are you drawing inspiration, building from a reference… or are you just cashing in on free content without giving credit? There’s no shame in using it — but there’s value in being aware. Especially in a world where creatives are constantly fighting to be paid what they’re worth.

I believe in acknowledging the source. Whether that’s a collaborator, a reference point, or a spark of inspiration, give credit where credit’s due. It keeps the creative community strong, and it reminds the world that behind every 'free' image is a human with a camera, an eye, and a story.

What do you think?

Have you ever uploaded to Pexels and had your work appear somewhere unexpected? Ever received a donation, a thank-you, or even an angry email?

Let’s keep this convo going — hit me up or drop a comment.

(I'm convinced my footage will feature in a few wedding videos local to the forth crossings... and that's ok!).