How Do I Find A Photo For A Blog Post

How to Choose a Photo For a Blog Post

To choose a photo for a blog post, a blogger should focus on images that are relevant, not overused, and within their budget. They should also respect the copyright on the photo and make sure the photo is shareable. Generic or clip-art images should be avoided.

When this is done well, the photo will add to the experience of the article and help readers enjoy it. Keep reading to learn more about choosing photos for blog posts!

No matter how good your blog post is, a photo can be the thing that makes or breaks its credibility. Can you imagine reading an essay by a Harvard professor and seeing clip art of a dancing pig in the middle of it? What about early 2000's word art? If you're like most people, that kind of image would disrupt your reading experience and your trust in the article.

On the other hand, seeing a relevant image on a blog post can help you as you read it. How would you feel about a recipe blog that had pictures of the ingredients? What about a tech repair post that had pictures of the parts being repaired? It would show that the person writing the blog recognizes the subject they're writing about.

What Makes a Good Photo For a Blog Post?

A good photo for a blog post should have a few key traits.

First, it needs to be relevant. A blog post about cars is fun to write, but it shouldn't have a photo of mountains or cats included unless you are sure that it is relevant to the post. If you're writing a blog post about vets, try to make sure all the animal photos are connected to a veterinarian's office or sick animals. If the post is about trucks, find photos of trucks.

Next, the photo quality should be good. Something that looks outdated, has obvious filters, is grainy, or is generally just a badly composed photo should be avoided. Something that is composed well, has a clear subject, has good lighting, and has a good image quality should be used.

Another good image is one you can legally use. Don't steal images or use something you don't have a copyright license for, especially if the license is for editorial use only. As long as you make sure your photo is within your budget, within your copyright limits if you have a subscription to a stock image site, and that you've actually gotten the rights or given credit as needed, you'll be safe.

What Should I Avoid In Photos?

If you look at an image and think "wow, this looks like a really generic free stock image," you might not want to use that one in your blog post. That same feeling will translate to the reader and how they feel about the quality of your article.

You should also consider avoiding free photos. As tempting as the free stock images may be, you run the risk of accidental copyright infringement, not getting model release permission, or using an image that is so overused, poor quality, or otherwise problematic that it becomes a meme.

What Can I Use to Substitute for Photos in Blog Posts?

If you don't want to use photos, you don't have to! Different formatting, text boxes, quotes, charts, and graphs can all add dimension and draw visual attention to your blog post.

If you have a sensitive topic to write about, it might be best to steer away from images and stick with these options. After all, posts like "euthanizing a pet bunny" might not have the kind of stock images you want to search for.

Are Photos Important for Blog Posts?

Photos can be beneficial for blog posts when they're done right! While they aren't necessary, the benefits are often worth the effort of finding good quality photos, as well as the price of signing up for a stock photo subscription site.

Think about your own experience reading blogs. How have the photos added to the experience? Did they help you understand what you were reading or keep your attention? Were they benign? You can try asking friends or family to read your posts with and without photos to see how they can best help you.

Can I Use My Own Photos For Blog Posts?

You can use your own photos for posts on your own blog, but you should be aware of the benefits and hazards that come with that decision.

The benefits include unlimited free photos, specialized photos that can be perfectly relevant, and writing blog posts around the photos. You can cross-post on other sites like Facebook or Instagram easily. You won't have to worry about Copyright infringement or licensing issues.

However, you can end up putting your own privacy at risk if you aren't careful. Strangers can easily steal photos of your children, locate your home, or cause other issues. Your photos can be used without credit if you don't protect them. Finally, you can get into trouble if you post other people's faces or personal information without permission when they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Basically, you can use your own photos for blogs if you're very careful and very safe. Try to follow common-sense rules as well as social media smart rules.

• Never show your child's face

• Blur or crop out addresses and license plates, or don't photograph them at all

• Don't take portrait pictures of strangers without permission

• Don't photograph your kids in swimsuits or revealing clothing

• Don't photograph military installations

• Use caution taking photos when traveling, since privacy and photography laws can vary

If this list makes you nervous or you feel like you'd struggle to follow it, you can stick with using stock photos for your blog. This works for millions of writers and bloggers around the world! Stay safe, and have fun blogging.