
A handy short cut to finding images that you can use for you blogs, brochures, website etc.
We all love nice pictures because they capture our imagination. When the right pictures are dovetailed into a well crafted story we become fully engaged and the storyteller has our undivided attention.
That is what a good presentation, brochure, blog does, they tell a story that engages customers/clients, investors or indeed our own teams. We have a message that we want to get across and hopefully it will encourage our audience to think differently, feel differently or act differently.
When we use imagery it should add value to what we are saying and keep the reader engaged. However, locating that image and then ensuring we have the right to use it becomes the big challenge.
Here I have listed a number of sites where you can obtain images free, obtain images that require accreditation and finally, those that you have to pay for. There is a big difference in choice and quality and the adage ‘you get what you pay for’ applies.
Please remember that because an image in on the internet does not make it free to use. Every image belongs to someone and unless you have the express permission of the owner you are in breach of copyright.
PLESE read the small print before downloading anything as there are conditions of how you use them and failure to do so may land you in trouble.
Remember that these sites can change their Terms and Conditions so please check these regularly so that you remain compliant.
Free images – there may be certain restrictions which are common across these types of platforms.
Unsplash lets you use the images for free, in any way you like, except for using them to create a competing website.
You can use and modify the images for free for both commercial and personal use.
You can use the images without asking for permission or giving credit to the artist.
Limited number of high-resolution images
You must attribute the images if you are using them
Burst is a free stock photo platform for users of Shopify
Canva is an online graphic design tool that also offers free stock photos. One advantage of using Canva is that you can quickly turn an image into a custom graphic to use on social media or your blog.
High quality images you MUST PAY for, however, check the bundle rates which can be great value.
These sites are a combination of free and paid images so double check what restrictions are around the images you are selecting.