The 60 Most Downloaded Images in 2018 from Top Stock Photo Agencies Compared (2024)

As we approach the end of the year, it’s inevitable to wonder what kind of photos people preferred in the last 10 months. Which ones of the many Photography Trends 2018 that we reported picked up the most? Have you been using the same style of images as everyone else? This list of the top 10 most downloaded images in 2018 answers all that and more!

Now you can cross-compare the most downloaded photos of 2018 with the trendiest images of this year, as our latest Photography Trends 2024 Report is out!

For more insight into the industry, don't miss this great overview of the history of stock photography!

The 10 Most Downloaded Images in 2018 from Top 5 Stock Photo Agencies

Below you’ll find a list of the 10 most sold images in five of the best stock photo sites on the web. If you wish to buy them, all you’ve to do is click on them and be directed to their page, where you will also be able to explore more similar content. We even added useful agency reviews for extra details, and even cool special offers to get them at a cut price!

Stock Photo Secrets Shop Most Downloaded Photos in 2018

Our Stock Photo Secrets Shop is the ideal image supplier for small and medium-sized businesses. Check out all we offer in the Stock Photo Secrets Shop review! For more context, check out Stock Photo Secrets Shop's Photography Trends 2018.

See our 10 most downloaded images below:

#1 – Business Meeting in Open Plan Office

#2 – Office Table with Four People Hands Working

Notice how the top 2 best-selling images are business-themed? Discover the reason and find the best business stock images right here!

#3 – Happy Mother and Baby Laying on a Meadow

#4 – Businesswoman Holding a Plant Crop

#5 – Wood Board Texture

#6 – Businesspeople Smiling in Open Plan Office

#7 – Human Heart Made of Fruits and Vegetables

#8 – Business Meeting

#9 – Concerned Teen with Depression in a Tunnel

#10 – Happy Senior Couple Walking Together

Photocase Most Popular Images 2018

Photocase is a niche German stock photo agency for artsy images with that unique Berlin vibe. Know them better in our Photocase review, and grab our special Photocase Coupon Code with 5 FREE credits and 10% off in your purchase! And do check Photocase's Photography Trends 2018 predicted earlier this year for more info.

Here are their 10 most downloaded photos in 2018:

#1 – Faith and Spirituality Concept with Architecture, Sky, and Birds

#2 – Natural Landscape in Perspective with Gnome and Mountains

Love this image? It's the perfect example of the new weird stock photos trend that is so popular in social media!

#3 – Minimalist Illustration with Thinking, Growth and Success Concept

#4 – Statue Representing Justice over a Blue Sky

#5 – Young Woman Speaking through Megaphone

#6 – Man Using VR Technology Concept

#7 – Work and Safety Concept with Laptop and Padlock

#8 – Paperboard Cutouts of Happy People in Cartoon Style

#9 – Freedom and Fun Concept with Women Flying with Balloons and Umbrella

#10 – Stylish Man with Pixelated Face wearing Hat

Shutterstock Most Downloaded Photos 2018

Shutterstock is one of the biggest stock photo agencies in the market, famous for their titanic library, they tech functions and their popular stock photo subscriptions. You can learn all about them in our Shutterstock review, as well as unlocking great discounts with our Shutterstock Coupon Code with up to 15% off in your purchase! For more insightful info, have a look at the Photography Trends 2018 Shutterstock identified later this year.

Here are their most popular images in 2018:

#1 – Colourful Geometric Background with Fluid Shape Composition

#2 – Abstract Ocean with Natural Luxury Texture, Marble Swirls and Agate Ripples

#3 – Rear View of Business Coach Facing a Group of People

#4 – Beach Seamless Patterns with Tropical Vegetation

#5 – Red Russian-Themed Pattern with Modern and Traditional Elements

#6 – Futuristic Infographic with 3D Wave Points

#7 – IT Specialist Holding Laptop and Talking at a Data Center

#8 – Portrait of Young Brunette Woman Smiling Cheerfully

#9 – Human Brain Concept with Creative and Logic Hemispheres

#10 – New York City Skyline at Sunset

Adobe Stock Most Popular Photos 2018

Adobe Stock is a stock photo service provided by Adobe, that is fully integrated into Creative Cloud platform and offers millions of photos, illustrations and 3D files at very convenient prices with the added value of being available right within your favorite design apps. Find out more about them in our Adobe Stock review. And don't hesitate to grab our Adobe Stock Free Trial with 10 FREE images to use for one month! It'll be useful for you to also review Adobe Stock's Photography Trends in 2018 published earlier.

Check out their most sold images for this year:

#1 – Team Brainstorming in Sunlit Office Space

#2 – Heart Bowls with Colourful, Healthy Food

#3 – Couple Driving Into the Sunset in Convertible

#4 – New York City Daytime Aerial View

#5 – Christmas Tree Branches on Plain Background

#6 – Man Tying Red Sport Shoes

# 7 – Espresso Coffee Cup with Beans on Vintage Table

#8 – Closeup of Christmas Tree Branch with Lights

#9 – Seamless Pattern with Watercolor Tropical Leaves

#10 – Dalmatian Puppy with Splashes of Paint and Colourful Easter Eggs

Depositphotos Most Popular Images 2018

Depositphotos is a well-established stock photo agency with a long history of great customer service, that offers millions of high-quality photos, illustrations and more, all under a Royalty-free license and with flexible pricing options. To learn more, visit our Depositphotos review. And don't forget to use our Depositphotos Coupon Code to get 5 FREE images plus a 15% off in your purchase! Have a better idea of their most sold images by checking the Photography Trends 2018 Depositphotos listed earlier this year.

Let's have a look at their most downloaded images for 2018:

#1 – Two Businessmen Discussing a Project

#2 – Cairn Terrier Puppy Running Towards the Camera

#3 – Sheep and Lambs Looking at the Camera

#4 – Portrait of Girl Smiling Outdoors

(Pssst… Recognise her? She's the “girlfriend” in the famous “disloyal boyfriend” meme! Learn more about these viral images and the creative opportunities in them in our article about your Favourite Stock Photo Memes!)

#5 – Happy Child Playing Outdoors with Homemade Plane Costume

#6 – Blooming Flowers in Pastel Tones

#7 – Red Kitten Sleeping Peacefully

#8 – Landscape Scene from Countryside in Tuscany, Italy

#9 – Leaves Pattern Macro Background

#10 – Portrait of Young African Woman Smiling

Dreamstime Most Downloaded Photos 2018

Dreamstime is a well-known stock photo agency with many years in business, offering a large library with millions of royalty-free stock images at affordable prices. If you want to know them better, read our Dreamstime review! But now let's see what their most popular photos in 2018 are:

#1 – Artificial Intelligence, Communication and Technology Concept

#2 – Happy Family

#3 – Wood Texture Plank

#4 – Wireless Communication Concept with City Overview

#5 – Business Meeting with Diverse Team Brainstorming Ideas

#6 – Many Hands from Diverse People Joining Together in Circle

#7 – Male Speaker at Business Conference

#8 – Golden Retriever Dog Jumping Through Autumn Leaves

#9 – Groom Putting Wedding Ring on Bride's Finger

#10 – Business Meeting or Presentation in Modern Office Space

Most Downloaded Images FAQ

Inspire your Upcoming Designs with This Year's Most Downloaded Images

And that was our list of the top 10 most downloaded images in 2018 from the best 6 stock photo sites in the market!

You will notice there are a lot of similarities in the photos across the different agencies, with authenticity, natural lighting, diverse models, modern workspaces and tropical nature being the most relevant common topics.

Now you are equipped with insider knowledge to choose the most popular type of photos for your upcoming designs. Which styles and subjects will you try first? We'd love to know!