“Free download” and “free to use anywhere” are different promises. You can find excellent stock photos for business projects, but the license and the image’s subject still deserve a careful look.
Start with the source’s actual license
Use established sources and read the terms for the specific asset or collection. Unsplash and Pexels publish their own license information, but other collections can use different rules. Save the source URL, creator information, and a dated record of the applicable terms for important projects.
Look beyond the copyright permission
A photo can include identifiable people, trademarks, artwork, or private property. Depending on the use, additional rights or restrictions may matter. Avoid implying that a pictured person endorses your business or works for you. Do not present a generic property image as a real listing or completed project.
Prepare the approved image for the page
Choose a crop that supports the message and leaves important subjects intact. Resize and compress an export rather than uploading the largest file automatically. Write useful alternative text when the image conveys information. Keep the original file and license record organized for future updates.
Your next steps
- Open the license before using the image.
- Check people, brands, property, and implied endorsements.
- Save the source and relevant permission record.
- Optimize the final file for its website placement.
For further guidance, see Pexels’s stock photo license.
Also review Unsplash’s own license terms before using an image from that source.
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