Photographs and graphics are an essential component for today’s website. They can serve so many purposes. One of the most important is to populate a page so links are attractive, rather than a cluttered list of URLs. However, using just any photo you see on the web is dangerous. There’s a correct way to find free photos. Without this information, you could find yourself the defendant in a copyright infringement lawsuit.
A blog’s photo needs vary. Sometimes you need the photograph of a notable person. Other times you need to highlight the topic of your blog. Where do you go to get the right photo, illustration or graphic?
Pictures of Notable People
Search the name of the person. If a Wikipedia page shows up in search, any photograph on the site can be used under the Creative Commons license.
This content is for members only.
Pictures to Illustrate Blogs
All of the following sites have photographs you may use. Just enter a keyword to search for the type of photograph you need. For example: “happy family” or “mutli-ethnic couple.” Just watch for the photographs shown for a website’s “sponsors.” These photographs are ads to sites where you pay for the photograph you’ve clicked on.
When possible, give the photographer credit by adding their information in the description area that’s available when you click on the picture in the Media Library. You may also put the credit in the caption area if you choose. While it’s not essential that you do this, it’s a kindness to the photographer. It helps them show up in Google.
https://www.freepik.com/ There are lots of free photographs and vectors on this website. However, to get the best selection, you’ll need to sign up for a membership. Current monthly rates are $14.99/month or $9.99/month if you pay for 12 months at a time. With a paid membership, you can download an unlimited number of their premium assets each month, and you don’t have to give attribution for the assets you’ve purchased.
http://absfreepic.com/ This is my second favorite site. It has lots of choices. All pictures are CCO Public Domain, so you may use any photograph freely. However, you do need to give credit to the artist or photographer.
https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/index.php This is another useful site. I go here when I don’t find what I’m looking for at ABSFreePic.com.
https://www.pexels.com/ I’ve found many good pictures on this website.
Note: Don’t worry about signing up at these websites. It makes the download process easier. I’ve used all four for years and never been spammed.
There are other free picture sites. However, I’ve found most of them don’t have the kinds of photographs I need for the topics I write about. A Google search is a great way to explore what’s new out there. Just type in “free photo websites” or “public domain photographs.”
