The internet is a visual medium, so if you want your blog to stand out, you’ve got to have some great pictures to go with your written content. Finding that “just right” photo can be a hassle at times, but here are my go-to places when I need a photo:
The thing to keep in mind about public domain photos is that they’re, well, public. Everyone has access to them, so it’s not unusual to see the same image used multiple times in different blogs. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker; just something to keep in mind. On the plus side, photos that are clearly marked in the public domain require no attribution or link back, and you can use them privately or commercially in any way you like.
- Morguefile (no attribution necessary if the photo is altered)
- Pixabay (public domain)
- Public Domain Pictures – large selection, easy search
- PDPics.com – beautiful
- Skitter Photo – no search method, but you can browse by category; not many photos but the ones available are lovely.
- Pickup Image – has photos that you can find elsewhere, but it’s another place to look
- Freetems.net – cluttered layout but also includes videos, music and more
- Clker.com – Some photos, mostly clip art and vintage
Another option is photos released under a Creative Commons license. These photos need to be attributed to the photographer, with a link back, and variations of the license restrict if you can alter the image or not. You can even search several sources (including Flickr) right from the site. Everystockphoto.com is a search engine that includes both public domain and creative Commons-licensed photos. It’s a quick way to search several sites at once.
About the Author: Emma Craig is a stay-at-home mom to a 5-year-old daughter. She loves blogging about playful learning activities at PisforPreschooler.com.
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