Website photos, website images, website graphics…no matter what term you use, there’s a right way and a wrong way to gather and use them.

I’m gonna warn you now…this is a hot button of mine, and some of the “gurus” online are “training” their following the wrong way…and it really drives me crazy!

How many times have you heard someone say that “I found it on the Internet so I can use it?” or “Just search Google to find your website photos.”  I suspect a lot…because I know I have!

Well, please…I beg you…STOP!!!

The Importance of Website Photos

Graphics and images help make your website and other online real estate stand out. In fact, if you choose images that match the content it can even make the content more understandable. This is especially true when creating infographics. But…(and this is a BIG but)…you can’t just take the graphics from any website and use them for any purpose without permission. Recent cases in the news will give you more information about this topic.

Website Photos: Read the Fine Print

Contrary to popular belief, the Internet is not a free-for-all source for website photos and graphics.  Even if some images are available for free on the net, they are usually free with limits.  Heck, even when you pay for an image there are usually limits to how you can use it.  So it’s important to read the fine print to ensure that you don’t inadvertently plagiarize someone else’s work. In some cases even when you pay for an image you can still commit a violation if you use it for an other-than-intended purpose.

When you download a graphic from any place on the net, whether free or paid, read the fine print. It is likely that much of what you buy or get free on the net cannot be used for producing a “logo” without buying a higher level of rights to the image. When using free images, some sites say that you cannot use it on any product for profit.

Protect Yourself When Using Website Photos

If you generally produce website photos and images or pay for their production, always make sure that you protect your property from copyright infringement or plagiarism. If you don’t want someone using your website photos and images, add a watermark with your copyright, and state on your site that all images and content are copyrighted and cannot be used without permission. Then, if you find someone using it, immediately send them a cease and desist notice.

Fair Use of Website Photos

There are some exceptions to the basic copyright and plagiarism rules called “fair use.” Essentially, it’s okay to use someone else’s work if you transform it enough to make it original. The definition of transformative though, varies with different courts. Or, you simply use the idea of the image to create your own unique image.

For instance, maybe you like a black and white portrait of a baby where the pink colors are highlighted? Then you use that idea to do a family portrait. Or if you are commenting on and reporting on a story and use the image to report on the story, that is fair use.

One thing to remember is that words can be plagiarized but website photos and images cannot be. However, you can infringe on someone’s copyright when you use photos and images without permission or outside the parameters of legal use described in the fine print of purchased images. Also, there are always exceptions to everything. Be very clear on the differences before you use any image.

P.S.  If you’re looking for photos and images you can use on your website and social media, then check out this article with 20 sources for free website photos.  And if you have a favorite resource, please share it in the comments below.