Jemima Writes

No business budget for pictures? No sweat! Let’s have a look at some of the ways in which you can source free images online, plus a few cautions to consider along the way. If you’re just here for the links, scroll on down to discover my go-to free image sources. However, if you’d like to know more about the nuances of image use, please read on.

These days, many of us relish discovering and sharing fantastic, funny, and compelling visuals on our social media feeds. Passing on the way images make us feel is as simple as clicking the share button! However, when it comes to choosing awesome free images for your blog or website, things get a little more complicated. Sadly, it’s not as simple as tracking down epic pictures online and claiming them as your own. You need to be absolutely certain that you aren’t infringing anyone’s copyright when your enticing new webpage goes live.

Of course, there are plenty of great stock photo sites where you can buy a license to use a fantastic image. However, many who are just starting out with an online enterprise don’t have a budget in this area—not yet, at least! So, if you need to find epic pictures, but want to make sure your image choices won’t be treading on any toes, where you do begin? Let’s have a look at some of the ways in which you can source free images online, plus a few cautions to consider along the way, and easy links to my favourite free image sites.

Images as Intellectual Property

Thanks to the evolution of our digital lives, the human experience is very much a global one, and pictures play a huge part in how we interact. But, when it comes to using images that we find online, it is worth keeping in mind that laws regarding image ownership are usually automatic—meaning that when someone takes a photo or creates an image, they don’t need to do anything to assert ownership over what they’ve created. It is considered their intellectual property by default.

For example, in the United States, the Federal Copyright Act of 1976 dictates that photographs are protected by copyright from the moment of their creation. Laws regarding images as intellectual property do vary a little from country to country, but it is always best to assume that permission, and possibly a purchase, is an absolute must when hoping to use a picture!

Infringing someone else’s copyright can quickly land you or your brand in hot water, so that’s not a very savvy way to go about things. Happily, there are certain types of images that you can seek out online and use without a care in the world.

How To Find Free Images Online

The images that qualify as free to use are those with a licence that specifies them as such. There are lots of different types of image licences, and most carry precise terms that dictate what an image can or can’t be used for—so be ready to read the fine print!

For example, an image under a Royalty Free licence is one that you’ll likely have to pay to use, and it may have limitations on how many times you can print it on merch or other consumables. In contrast, an image under an Editorial licence may be free to use in a journalistic or newsworthy context, but not for anything commercial or advertising related.

Creative Commons licences offer something pretty cool—they were established by a non-profit organization to help photographers and other creatives put their work out into the world. Depending on which type (CC0 to CC6) you stumble upon, these licences will allow you to use an image for free as long as you meet certain conditions. For example, you might need to provide visible attribution to the creator, or it could be that you’re not allowed to edit the image at all. Finally, images that are declared Public Domain can be used by anyone, for anything, without attribution. Phew—and that’s just covering the basics!

If you want to find Creative Commons images, you can use Google’s image search tool to do just that. Simply type the subject you seek into the search bar and hit return, then click where it says “Tools” just below, and use the drop-down menu “Usage Rights” to hunt for images with Creative Commons licences. When you find a picture you like, just be sure to check which CC licence it falls under, and have a quick read through the necessities.

My go-to stock photo sites for free images:

Many stock photo sites offer a range of free-to-use images alongside their paid selection. For example, Flickr allows users to search for both Public Domain and Creative Commons images. Other sites like Pixabay, Pexels, and Unsplash are dedicated to providing free images. Of course, if you love what you find, you can still choose to attribute the creator, virtually buy them a coffee, or hire them to create a custom image for you.

The Complexity of Captured Imagery

Even if an image is offered online under a licence that grants you the freedom to use it, there is still a little more to ponder. For example, if you’re looking for some fab visuals for your next advertising campaign, consider whether anything in the images might qualify as intellectual property.

A photographer might upload a picture of a MacDonald’s restaurant under a free-to-use licence, but there’s a pretty good chance that MacDonald’s wouldn’t be too keen on you using their location and branding for commercial gain. Yes, something within the picture might make the image out of bounds for your intended purposes. So, tread carefully, intrepid content creators. In doing so, you can ensure that your visual storytelling remains strategically safe as it helps you move towards success!