Mairéad Mc Keown, Librarian & Information Specialist, Bord Bia – Irish Food Board

There’s an old cliché that says, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This cliché refers to the notion that a complex idea or message can be conveyed with just a single image or that an image of a subject conveys its meaning more effectively than a description does. Moreover, research has identified 5 key visual content benefits, as follows:

1. Visuals transmit messages faster than text

2. Visuals draw people in

3. Visuals stick in the long term memory

4. Visuals improve comprehension

5. Visual cues trigger emotions

These visual content benefits will only hold true when you use an image that speaks clearly to the concept or message you’re trying to convey. So, to help you find images that may make your messages more interesting, memorable and understandable without blowing your budget, we’ve identified 6 great websites to find free images:

1. Pixabay:

• Sophisticated site providing free, high quality images (CC0) License
• Download, modify, distribute, and use images, royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications
• Attribution is not required BUT it’s always nice to give credit where it’s due, e.g. Photo by (photographer) Ivabalk on Pixabay
• Also offers Shutterstock images, which aren’t free but are clearly watermarked to avoid confusion
• Search by media type, orientation, keyword or pre-defined-category, size or colour

2. Unsplash

• Beautiful, free (do whatever you want) high-resolution photos (CC0) License
• Download, copy, modify, distribute, perform, and use photos from Unsplash for free, including for commercial purposes
• You do not need to ask permission from or provide credit to the photographer or Unsplash BUT it’s appreciated when possible, e.g. Photo by (photographer) Micah.H on Unsplash
• Search by keyword or predefined collection tags

3. Pexels:

• High quality, free stock images (CC0) License
• The pictures are free for personal and even for commercial use.
• You can modify, copy and distribute the photos.
• Attribution is not required BUT is appreciated, e.g. Photo by Trinity Kubassek on Pexels
• Searchable by keyword or pre-defined tabs

4. Gratisography:

• Free images on the more creative side (CC0) License BUT also beware of some common sense differences/limitations
• Images suitable for commercial and personal use
• All photos are made with love by Ryan McGuire
• Ryan doesn’t require attribution BUT does appreciate it, e.g. Photo by Ryan McGuire on Gratisography
• Search by keyword or pre-defined tags

5. FoodiesFeed:

• Food photos which are completely free to download (CC0) License
• You can copy, modify, distribute, use photos for free, including commercial purposes
• No attribution required BUT giving credit to the original photographer if possible, is encouraged, e.g. Photo by Jakub Kapusnak on FoodiesFeed
• Search by keywords or popular tags

6. Bord Bia Brand Site: (free registration required)

• High resolution images which portray Ireland and its food, drink and horticulture.
• You can use images for any purpose once credit is given to Bord Bia, suggested text is "Image courtesy of Bord Bia".
• If the image is being used with a Bord Bia recipe, it must be the matching, unchanged, Bord Bia recipe.
• Searchable by keyword or category pre-defined tabs

Disclaimer: This FoodAlert does not constitute as legal advice and no responsibility will be taken for any inaccuracies.