FREE Creative Commons Photo's Anyone can use

The Commercial use of Photography has gotten many people into trouble when they don't understand copyright laws. Bloggers typically go to the Internet to find a photo if they don't have one, and many times they don't read the fine print, which can get them in trouble if the photo is used commercially.

Ignorance is never an excuse for breaking the law, but it was specifically because of the lack of knowledge that I decided to open a Group where others could share pictures with each other, and not have to worry about all the Copyright stuff. The Flickr Group is called: Foto Share Shop for Bloggers Any Active Rain Member, Squidoo Lensmaster or other Blogger or writer is welcome to join, and use the Photos in the Group.

The rules are pretty simple

1) Only your own Photos can be uploaded,

2) You have to agree to use a CC License, not a regular Copyright

3) You have to allow Commercial Use

4) No Adult Themed Photos of Activities, Toys, etc. This is a PG-13 Group

5) CC License Agreement is to allow anyone to use your Photo with Attribution (lic #3 as of this date)


To Find CC Photos Online,or to Use Ones from our flickr Group:

1) Go to flickr and create an account if you don't have one. It's easy and FREE.

2) Search for Photos, there are many CC Licensed Photos in flickr not just in our Group.

3) Read the CC Licensing, Here is a very easy to understand overview of the CC License with examples- Creative Commons

4) You can also do a Google Search for CC Photos. If you have the Firefox Browser, to the right of the main address bar is a small on with a big G for Google. Next to that is a tiny arrow. Click that and the 5th one down is for doing an Internet Search of CC Licensed Material.

5) And remember you can always go to Foto Share Shop for Bloggers and see if there is a photo you would like to use.

6) Remember to check to make sure if you can use a Photo for Commercial Purposes, and if the photo can be used anyway you want.

Note: Double check the license and make sure it shows a CC, which type and isn't a regular Copyright. Sometimes people forget to change them.

And last but not least: if you want to use a Copyrighted Photo- Ask the Photographer! Many times they will say yes. Look at this Squidoo Lens about Homeless in America. It is a beautifully done piece by Mimi, also known as GrowWear, full of Copyrighted Photos that she asked permission to use from a renown Photo Journalist!

So, don't be afraid to ask The Copyright Owner if you can use their Photo.