# Unsplash MCP > Unsplash MCP connects your AI agent directly to Unsplash’s library of high-quality, free photos. Your agent can search for images by keyword, audit user portfolios, and find curated collections instantly—all through a simple chat conversation. Get detailed metadata or random inspirational shots without ever leaving your client. ## Overview - **Category:** design-creative - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** stock-photography, visual-assets, image-search, collections, creative-workflow ## Description This MCP lets you treat visual research like talking to an expert curator who never gets tired. You don't need to navigate endless dashboards; your agent handles the heavy lifting. Instead of manually sifting through millions of images, you just ask for what you need—whether it's a specific aesthetic or photos from a certain photographer. It acts as a real-time visual intelligence layer. Your agent can find high-resolution pictures by keyword and even get statistics on how popular those pictures are. It also lets you audit the work of specific creators, listing everything they’ve uploaded to keep track of their style. When your team needs this kind of power, connecting it via Vinkius's catalog means all your visual data is accessible from one place, no matter what AI client you use. ## Tools ### get_collection Retrieves specific details about a themed photo collection. ### get_photo_stats Gets the usage statistics and performance data for any single photograph. ### get_photo Fetches comprehensive details, including metadata, for a specific photo. ### get_random_photo Pulls and provides high-quality image data from the Unsplash library at random. ### get_user_photos Lists all photos that a specific user has uploaded to their profile. ### get_user Retrieves basic and detailed information about a specific Unsplash user account. ### list_topics Lists currently curated topics on the platform to see what visual themes are trending. ### search_collections Searches across Unsplash for themed collections matching specific criteria. ### search_photos Performs a search of the entire photo database using keywords, orientation, or more filters. ### search_users Searches for specific users by name to find photographers or contributors. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Search for landscape photos of 'Alpine mountains' on Unsplash. ``` **Response:** ``` I've retrieved high-quality landscape photos of Alpine mountains. Top matches include images by several professional photographers. Would you like the direct links to download them? ``` **Prompt:** ``` Get a random photo about 'Cyberpunk city'. ``` **Response:** ``` Random photo selected! I've found a stunning image of a neon-lit urban landscape. The photographer is 'John Doe' and you can access the full resolution via the provided URL. ``` **Prompt:** ``` List photos from user 'vinkius_creative'. ``` **Response:** ``` I've found 10 uploads from 'vinkius_creative'. The portfolio includes diverse themes like 'Nature' and 'Tech'. Would you like the metadata for the most recent upload? ``` ## Capabilities ### Search for specific imagery You can search the entire library for high-quality photos using keywords or filters. ### Analyze photo performance data The agent retrieves detailed statistics about a picture, helping you judge its reach and popularity. ### Audit creator portfolios You can list every single photo uploaded by a specific user to track their body of work. ### Find thematic collections The MCP searches for and lists curated groups of photos based on shared themes or styles. ### Get random inspiration shots Need a quick visual break? The agent pulls a high-quality, random picture into your conversation. ## Use Cases ### A designer needs to match a mood board aesthetic. The agent runs a search of collections using `search_collections` with keywords like 'moody forest' or 'brutalist architecture'. It returns several themed groups, allowing the designer to quickly narrow down the perfect visual direction without browsing hundreds of individual photos. ### A marketer needs competitive image research. The agent first uses `search_users` to find competitors' top contributors. It then runs `get_user_photos` on those accounts, retrieving a full list of uploads and providing metadata for the most recent shots to analyze their visual strategy. ### An art director needs proof of image usage rights. The agent uses `get_photo` to pull detailed information about a specific asset, confirming photographer credits and availability. It also runs `get_photo_stats` to confirm the image is used frequently, justifying its license cost. ### A team needs quick content filler for a presentation. The agent simply uses `get_random_photo`. This provides an instant, high-quality visual placeholder or inspiration shot without any searching or prompt engineering required. ## Benefits - Find the perfect shot faster. Instead of manually clicking through search results, you can use `search_photos` to query high-resolution images based on complex keywords or required orientations. - Understand image performance. Use `get_photo_stats` to check a photo’s popularity and reach before committing it to a campaign, turning visual assets into measurable data points. - Track creator work. The agent can use `get_user_photos` and `get_user` to build a complete record of an artist's portfolio, which is critical for rights tracking or style analysis. - Discover new ideas instantly. Running `list_topics` gives you a live view of trending visual themes on Unsplash, letting you pitch concepts based on current market interest. - Build structured data sets. You can get full details on images using `get_photo`, pulling metadata like photographer names and descriptions into an organized format for your team. ## How It Works The bottom line is you get detailed visual data and links to images without ever touching a website dashboard. 1. Subscribe to this MCP and enter your Unsplash Access Key (Client ID). 2. Connect the MCP to your preferred AI client (Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, etc.). 3. Ask your agent a natural language question, like 'Show me high-resolution photos of mountain roads' or 'List all uploads by John Doe'. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I use Unsplash MCP to find photos?** You can search using `search_photos` by giving the agent keywords or filters. Just ask your agent, 'Find me high-resolution pictures of coffee shops in Italy' and it will handle the rest. **Can Unsplash MCP tell me who uploaded a photo?** Yes. You can use `get_photo` or `get_user` to retrieve details about both the specific image and the account that provided it, helping you track creators. **What is the difference between searching photos and collections using Unsplash MCP?** Searching photos (`search_photos`) gives you a broad result set based on keywords. Searching collections (`search_collections`) lets you find pre-curated, themed groups of images that are already grouped by experts. **Does Unsplash MCP provide stats for every image?** You must use the `get_photo_stats` tool to access performance metrics. The agent doesn't guess; it retrieves actual, quantifiable data about how often an image is used. **Can I find a random photo using Unsplash MCP?** Absolutely. You simply ask the agent for a 'random high-quality photo,' and the `get_random_photo` tool delivers it instantly into your chat.