Hiya folks! It’s Sherman, the robot mascot of DKS, and I’m back today with the next question in our “Stump Sherman” series: “Is it okay to use other people’s photos and images without their permission? How do I get free photos, images, etc.?”
This is a biggie. It is important to use nice images. A sloppy photo makes for an unprofessional-looking business, but an eye-catching image may be just what you need for your project.
Let’s see… My database says the answer to the first question is “no”. Most images are copyrighted, so stealing those images is actually against the law. Big no-no. You can even be fined for taking a photo without the owner’s permission if you are caught. I do NOT recommend doing Google searches and stealing whatever you want.
However, certain images are A-OK to take without permission. You’ll see them labeled as “copyright-free,” “public domain,” “creative commons,” or simply “free”. There are actually many sites where you can find these images. Here are just a few:
We also use Envato Elements for our clients, though it is a paid subscription. It gives DKS access to a huge collection of high-quality stock photos, as well as videos, fonts, templates, and more – all without needing to credit the original creator.
Do you have a question for Sherman? If so, please send it to us.
