Have you been playing fast and loose with the visuals you source for your blog?
Look, I get it. Finding the right images can be challenging, especially on a tight schedule and budget. We’re not graphic designers or artists, nor do we have the budget to retain a media design agency (at least not yet).
Enhancing your blog posts with high-quality visuals and properly attributing images makes your content more engaging and adds depth and authenticity to your storytelling.
But how do we source captivating, high-quality blog visuals without breaking the bank or spending dozens of hours flailing in Photoshop tutorials? (I just want to create a simple duo-tone image, dagnabbit!)
Don’t fret! Breathe. I’ve got you.
This post will guide you through sourcing free, high-quality images and how to cite them properly in your blog writing.
Where to Find High-Quality Images
In this digital age, many platforms offer a treasure trove of high-quality images. Let’s explore some of the platforms that will help make your content shine.
1. Unsplash
Unsplash has over 5 million high-quality photos and images. Image categories include street photography, travel, backgrounds, textures, and patterns. All images on the Unsplash are free for commercial or non-commercial purposes. Read Unsplash’s full license.
2. Pixabay
I found the Pixabay platform easier to navigate (e.g., using advanced search functions). Also, it has more types of content besides photos, such as vectors, illustrations, sound effects, music, etc. Content is available under the Creative Commons Zero license.
3. Pexels
Pexels may seem familiar. CMS such as WordPress.com and Canva, an online visual design and editing site, have integrated the Pexels API into their platforms. Pexels also has a stand-alone website featuring millions of royalty-free images, stock photos in various categories, and videos for web and print media use. Read the full license on the Pexels site.
⭐Tip: Do you need to find the source of an image? You can use Google Images to do an image search and track down your photo’s origin. Another option is TinEye, a reverse image search site and image recognition app
Consider your website’s aesthetic before searching for visuals for your writing.
Choose images that fit your blog’s theme and look. Also, if you plan to add a text overlay to your photos, ensure the text (font size, typography) is straightforward to read.
And lastly, use colors that match your brand and search for images that depict your topic. For example, search for office or work-from-home images if your article is about small business.
How to Attribute Images Properly
Image and photo licensing is a vast topic. Still, it is essential to understand your rights as a creator and, more specifically, the license and terms of service (TOS) for the visuals, graphics, and photos you pull from image-sourcing platforms. According to Copyright.gov, you own any original content you create on your blog or website.
Before using images, photos, or graphics that aren’t your original creations, confirm that you have permission from the photographer in writing, preferably.
The photo citation will follow this format:
Photo by Jane Doe, Pexels or Image credit
Photographer name [ First, Last ] with a link to the photographer’s website. Link to the website, and name of the photo. If you use the MLA, APA, or Chicago citation format, Grammarly has a compatible citation generator that’s easy to use and ad-free.
📝Note: Do not use the alt text for citing your images. The alt or alternative text is the content that screen readers read.
Decide how you’ll give proper attribution in your writing. I typically attribute photos in the text flow of my blog post (i.e., in-text attribution). If there are multiple images, I’ll create a sources cited section at the end of the blog post and list all images referenced in that section.
Conclusion
When sourcing images for personal or commercial use, it’s essential to be mindful of potential pitfalls to avoid legal issues and ethical concerns and ensure the overall quality of the images.
Here is a summary of topics discussed in this post, and a few key takeaways on sourcing images and providing proper attribution:
- Avoid using copyrighted images without permission: Always check the copyright status of an image before using it. Look for images with licenses that permit your intended use, or consider using public domain or Creative Commons licensed images.
- Ensure images are contextually appropriate: Ensure the visuals you choose align with the message or theme you want to convey. Misleading or inappropriate use of images can harm your credibility or cause misunderstandings.
- Use reputable image sources: Stick to well-known and reputable stock photo websites or obtain images directly from photographers or organizations with a clear track record. Be cautious with images from unknown or unreliable sources to avoid potential legal issues.
- Consider cultural implications: When selecting images, consider cultural nuances and sensitivities. Images that may be appropriate in one context can be offensive or inappropriate in another.
- Thoroughly read and understand licensing terms: Before using any image, carefully read and understand the licensing agreement. Some images may have restrictions or limitations on usage that could lead to legal issues if ignored.
By following these tips, you’ll ensure that your blog posts and website feature visually appealing and relevant images while exercising best practices regarding sourcing and citation.
