I have the same process: scrolling through images for what feels like forever, clicking through different websites, searching for stock images, and trying to find free images to avoid copyright issues. But it takes me a while. And even when I find one that’s probably good, I’m still not sure if it really fits.
As I’ve spent more time writing and learning about the publishing world, I’ve started to understand the importance of avoiding copyright issues, especially when it comes to images used in my work. Now, when I write on my personal blog, I admit, I’m more relaxed. It’s not very professional, so I allow myself to use random pictures from Pinterest, but I still give credit when prompted. But when writing for an actual publication, where I need to use free or licensed stock images, I’ve realized something: they don’t always evoke the same emotion as a photo found on Pinterest.
A lot of them feel repetitive. Some are kind of cringey. Others are just…plain. While I respect the work behind those images, they don’t always capture the aesthetic or the relatable feeling I’m going for.
When writing an article or promoting a post, the title and cover image set the tone.
They’re what draw people in. While I do think about what might appeal to others, I also consider how clickworthy an image feels for the kind of story I’m telling.
Sometimes, I don’t want the “professional” or overpolished look, which is ironic, considering I’m using one of those images for my post.
So, the real question is: how can you make readers feel the image even if it isn’t physically perfect?
Over time, as I’ve read more articles and blog posts, I’ve realized that the image doesn’t always pull me in. Sometimes it’s the headline, the preview blurb, or the writer. And sometimes the image is meant to be abstract, something that only makes sense once you read the piece. But overall, it’s the writing that keeps me coming back.
That realization made me rethink what a “good” image actually is.
Maybe it’s about choosing images that simply complement the tone or leaving room for interpretation, rather than trying to find one that says everything.
At the end of the day, I think letting your writing do the ‘talking’ is the best option. The image supports the story, but it shouldn’t have to define it. Through your words, you can recreate a vivid image in the reader’s mind, one that goes beyond the screen. When they look at the image again, they’ll connect it back to your story.
Yes, there are overused stock images, and some are just too cliché for their own good. But there are ways around them, even when hundreds of other people have claimed the same image for their article.
So, maybe a photo doesn’t have to be the most aesthetically pleasing or trendy.
Maybe the challenge isn’t finding the perfect image– it’s learning to make the imperfect ones speak.
Feature image via cottonbro studio on Pexels
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