Find Free Photos: Follow the Rules and Avoid the AI Police
A few months ago, I got a phone call from our church’s financial administrator. The conversation went something like this:
“The photo you used of that iconic George Floyd mural to advertise your class? It was copyrighted. We just got a fine for $250.”
“What?” I said incredulously. And that was the end of the conversation.
Turns out, the class schedule had been posted on our church website (actually it was buried somewhere on it). Turns out, an AI (Artificial Intelligence) bot was snooping around on the website and found the copyrighted photo.
The AI bot didn’t even bother to come to church the next week. The nerve.
I am a great believer in copyright. Photographers, artists, and musicians are not paid nearly enough for what they do. It’s way too easy to “borrow” their work for a good cause (your newsletter, website, or blog). They get zero compensation and recognition.
I’m still not sure about the “bill” our church received. We paid the fine just to take care of it. The photo of George Floyd’s mural might have fallen under the umbrella of “Fair Use.” I suspect it did and this was, perhaps, a fishing expedition to see if we would pay up. And we did…pay up.
However, it was definitely a learning experience and a cautionary tale to share.
Confused by what this means?
Search Engine Journal has an excellent article on this very topic: The Essential Guide To Using Images Legally Online. This is comprehensive and very useful.
Of course, the easiest and best thing to use are your very own photos that you have taken. No copyright from you is needed. However – and this is very important – if your photos include images of other people, you need to get permission (in some form or fashion) to post them in a public setting (like your website or on social media).
Adobe has an article on this topic: When do you need a photo release form?
The United Church of Christ also has an excellent (and brief) post on Church Liability and Best Practices for Posting Photos and Videos. The Central Texas United Methodist Annual Conference also has a handy guide, complete with sample photo release forms: Tips for Properly Posting Photos.
Don’t want to hassle with your own photos?
Here are my three go-to sites to get ones that are royalty-free:
Pixabay: Super easy to use. I can usually find a great, high-quality image here.
Pexels: The second place I go to. The images tend to be a little more sophisticated (feeling a little less down-to-earth) but sometimes that’s the mood I’m in.
Upsplash: This is a little more work, but not by much. You need to be sure that you find their drop down for “License” and click on “Free.” Lots of fabulous images.
None of these (literally) millions of photos meet your requirement?
Here’s one last article from Search Engine Journal: Free Images: 41 Best Stock Photo Sites to Find High-Quality.
Using photos is key to making your newsletters and website engaging and interesting. I strongly urge you to use them. However, I don’t want you to get in trouble with the AI police or to have a church member furious that you used their image without their knowledge. It’s not worth it for a whole host of reasons – both financially and ethically.
Now…for your pleasure, here’s a photo of the cutest dog in the world. Scout gave his paw print to acknowledge he’s OK with me using his image. Thank you, Scout.
***
Related posts:
The Power of Photographs
A Picture is Worth (at Least) a 1,000 Words
It’s Easy to Do the Wrong Thing: Copyright and Intellectual Property
Photo credit: luongdejavu@pixabay.com
***New webinar! “Write Your Best Year-End Letter”
For some, writing your year-end giving/stewardship letter might seem daunting or overwhelming, but it’s one of the most important stewardship letters you’ll write all year. Why? Well, come to this Zoom meeting, eat lunch and learn with stewardship consultant Cesie Delve Scheuermann on how to write your best year-end letter yet. She'll share all her tips and tricks so that your letter stands out.
This Lunch & Learn session is Nov. 6, 2024, at 12:30pm PT | 1:30pm MT. Registration deadline is Nov. 1. The Zoom link will be emailed to participants. You can register right here!
***
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise millions of dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. Just in time for Halloween, check out these police officers wrestling with a giant pumpkin.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
If someone has forwarded this to you and you would like to subscribe to "Inspiring Generosity," click here. Miss an issue? Click here.