Special offer

Free photographs for blogs at Getty Images

By
Industry Observer with Retired

Free photographs for blogs at Getty Images

 

Many bloggers do not have a supply of owned photographs to use in their posts. On the other hand, every blogger knows that photographs increase the readability of blogs and blogs with excellent photographs attract more attention. Large photo services watermark their photographs to prevent their usage until the required fees are paid.

Now, Getty Images is changing the game plan. You will have access to free images if you agree to their terms. Click on the link to read this article.

The world's largest photo service just made its pictures free to use

If you go to the Getty Images website, you'll see millions of images, all watermarked. There are more than a hundred years of photography here, from FDR on the campaign trail to last Sunday's Oscars, all stamped with the same transparent square placard reminding you that you don't own the rights. If you want Getty to take off the watermark, you'll have to pay for it.

Starting now, that's going to change. Getty Images is dropping the watermark for the bulk of its collection, in exchange for an open-embed program that will let users drop in any image they want, as long as the service gets to append a footer at the bottom of the picture with a credit and link to the licensing page.  

Commercial use of Getty Images would still require a license. That would tend to indicate that ActiveRain bloggers would need to be licensed to use the images. It would be nice if ActiveRain could obtain approval for the use of free Getty Images for ActiveRain blogs. 

 

 Kentlands,  Spring Blooms, Imagination IMG_6294

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Posted by

Roy Kelley, Retired, Former Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Gaithersburg, Maryland  

Comments(143)

David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

I agree that they have a tremendous assortment of pics but I am happy taking my own and yours are by far superior my friend!!!

Mar 16, 2014 01:50 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Ray

Good to know but it seems they are making it difficult. I still think thebest approach is to take you own pics, then you don't have to worry about copyright issues.

Jeff

Mar 16, 2014 03:31 AM
Harrison K. Long
HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA
REALTOR , GRI, Broker associate, Attorney

Roy ... I like your article here. Perhaps you can give us a "how to" article on getting the free images at Getty, then finding source code, then how to copy that source code to an AR blog, or how to copy that code to a WP.org blog site. 

 

 

Mar 16, 2014 06:05 AM
Graziella Bruner
NCS Premier Real Estate - Detroit, MI
Associate Broker - Serving Wayne & Oakland County

We all like this 4 letter F word:  FREE!!! Just wonder how true it really is, I will have to check it out!  Thanks for sharing! 

Mar 16, 2014 08:06 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for your comments. Have an outstanding week!

Mar 16, 2014 08:08 AM
Donna Quinlan
Keller Williams Realty - Newburyport, MA
Keller Williams Realtor & Career Consultant

Roy - thanks for the information. Wonder why they changed their tune. Maybe it was too expensive for them to sue hundreds of people. I am going to stay away from their site for right now. 

Mar 16, 2014 11:32 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Roy ... Some great info on free photos! I do prefer to take my own when possible and then downsize then and watermark them.

VB ;o)

Mar 17, 2014 12:37 AM
Bob Marshall
Home Smart Ion Real Estate - Lynnwood, WA

Roy, thanks for the information,  It is helpful, and I am going to check it out for future use.

Mar 17, 2014 03:44 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for stopping by. Your feedback is very much appreciated.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Mar 17, 2014 03:50 AM
Cy Phillips
Space Simply - President & CEO - Clive, IA

I appreciate your blog, Roy! I know this will really be helpful to a lot of people. I will be keeping this for future reference.

Mar 17, 2014 04:28 AM
Anonymous
Nora Sims
Thanks for the info Roy.
Mar 17, 2014 07:01 AM
#139
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It is always good to receive your comments. My personal policy is to use my own photographs.

Kentlands, Spring Flowers, Imagination IMG_9234 A

Mar 17, 2014 07:41 AM
Carolyn Roland- In Delaware and S. Chester County PA
Independent architectural histor'n - Wilmington, DE
Carolyn Roland, GRI, CRS

Roy-I agree it's always good to have your own supply of photos just in case you need an original one!

Mar 17, 2014 08:55 AM
Lisa Perry - NMLS # 276329
FHA, VA, Jumbo, Downpayment Assistance, Conv. - Fairfax, VA
Northern VA - VHDA, 100% Loans - Jumbo Loans

Roy, Great information.  Look forward to use some of the photos.  

Mar 17, 2014 12:34 PM
John DL Arendsen
CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA
Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

Huge!

Mar 25, 2014 01:11 AM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

I personally would rather use my own or pay for the image to avoid any potential hassle.

Mar 25, 2014 01:30 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, again, for your comments. I hope you are having an outstanding week.

Mar 25, 2014 08:41 AM
Ellen Levy
RE/MAX Allegiance - Washington, DC

BigStockPhoto.com is a great source of free and very inexpensive photos.  You get one free download per month.

Apr 03, 2014 12:43 AM
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

Thank you for the information. Your pictures are lovely.

Jun 06, 2014 10:21 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Roy

Thanks for sharing the information on Getty Image.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Mar 11, 2015 10:08 AM