It happens a lot. I'm working on a client job that demands photos. Given the option of supplying their own photos or paying me to do a search, many will opt for finding their own images. Sadly, most aren't photographers, so they resort to a Google search and download.
I know as well as you do that you can find ANYTHING on Google. Some of it is really good...professional even! Nearly all of it is copyright-protected, however. Unless its copyright leads you back to Kelly Craig Design, I can't use it without permission. Even if you're the one who found it, and saved it, and sent it to me.
Google is not a holding place of available clip art. Instead, when searching for images, think of Google as a way to FIND the images. Google will always provide you with the link as to where that image exists on a page. Follow that link! See where it leads! Is there a copyright symbol on the image, near the image, at the bottom on the page or in the description?
No copyright symbol? That's a good start, but not the end of the search. Whoever designed the page may have legally purchased the art. That still doesn't mean you can use it. Google Images has the ability to search for the image. You can drag and drop the image into the search bar and it'll find it for you! Unless a search proves that the image is Public Domain, assume that it's not.
To be safe, find a reputable photo site and purchase your photos. There are many good ones out there...iStockPhoto and Shutterstock are both fantastic, and usually reasonably priced. Sites like PIxabay and photos-public-doman.com have a smaller selection, but are free and legal to use for commercial use in most cases.
Happy searching!
Cheers - Kelly
I know as well as you do that you can find ANYTHING on Google. Some of it is really good...professional even! Nearly all of it is copyright-protected, however. Unless its copyright leads you back to Kelly Craig Design, I can't use it without permission. Even if you're the one who found it, and saved it, and sent it to me.
Google is not a holding place of available clip art. Instead, when searching for images, think of Google as a way to FIND the images. Google will always provide you with the link as to where that image exists on a page. Follow that link! See where it leads! Is there a copyright symbol on the image, near the image, at the bottom on the page or in the description?
No copyright symbol? That's a good start, but not the end of the search. Whoever designed the page may have legally purchased the art. That still doesn't mean you can use it. Google Images has the ability to search for the image. You can drag and drop the image into the search bar and it'll find it for you! Unless a search proves that the image is Public Domain, assume that it's not.
To be safe, find a reputable photo site and purchase your photos. There are many good ones out there...iStockPhoto and Shutterstock are both fantastic, and usually reasonably priced. Sites like PIxabay and photos-public-doman.com have a smaller selection, but are free and legal to use for commercial use in most cases.
Happy searching!
Cheers - Kelly
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