Where Do Writers Find Free Pictures?

It’s a struggle authors frequently have. We write an article or blog post, and then comes the dreaded question, “Where do I find a picture for my piece?”

The unspoken hope is that the image will not only be free but also interesting and of high quality. Oh, and could we could make this whole process easy? Absolutely. Today’s post will tell you how.

Here are two ways to get great pictures for your writing:

#1 Create Your Own

Programs like Canva and PicMonkey are fairly easy to learn and will let you create an image from scratch or modify a picture you already have. Both are free, although each has paid elements that may be useful.

• Canva.com – This program has both free and paid picture options. Pay pictures are clearly marked and are usually only $1. Canva’s text overlays are pre-formatted in interesting styles, allowing the using to simply add their own words.
• PicMonkey.com – Pay features allow you access to a larger number of fonts and editing features, although the base features are quite extensive. Note: PicMonkey does not provide basic pictures but does allow you to use shapes, textures, and graphics to create a background image for text to be placed on the top.
• For examples of what can be created with both of these programs, check out fellow A3 writer Meaghan Burnett’s article Creating Free Graphics or Memes for Authors.

#2 Find Images on Free Picture Websites

Yes, free picture websites with quality images can be found. Some require an acknowledgement for the photographer. Many do not. Be sure to read the FAQ and About sections for each site so you know how it operates.

• Pixabay.com – This is my go-to site. Pixabay has a wide range of interesting pictures on a variety of topics. When you search for a subject, Shutterstock images appear at the top. These are pay images that are clearly marked. The ones below are the freebies, and there are lots of them. No account is required although it makes it easier to download if you use the site a lot. FYI – If you find a photographer you like, buy him or her a cup of coffee. You’ll be given this option after each download. It’s not necessary—this is a free site—but it’s a nice gesture for their hard work.
• FreeDigitalPhotos.net – This site offers free photos in small sizes and only requires an attribution be listed. If you need larger photos or ones with high resolution, these can be purchased for a nominal fee.
• Alegriphotos.com – This is a European website with a small collection of free and public domain photos. Includes pictures of European hotspots like the Colosseum in Rome, yachts anchored of Rhodes, and columns at the Vatican.
• StockArch.com – Photographers on this site share their photos in exchange for a credit and a link back to their websites. Not a bad deal considering the high-quality pictures available.
• OpenPhoto.net – Credit to the photographer is required and licensing varies. Some images can be modified for commercial use while others cannot. To check the licensing type, select the desired picture. Then, click on the attribution type. Ways the photo can be used are clearly listed.
• Unsplash.com – As the site says, these are “free—do whatever you want—high resolution photos.” Ten new photos are added to the site every ten days. Old photos are searchable.

If you’ve struggled to find photos, consider that a thing of the past. So, what are you going to do with all your extra time? Sounds like a writing opportunity–get to it!