Need Product Images

Jewel · #1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 09:09 PM

Me again. Tonight I seem to be all over the place trying to figure things out but not getting anything done of substance.

I was going to type a page and started to hunt for photos of some products. I loaded up the photos from my camping trip last week, but didn't like the ones I had.

I did an image search on google (here come those copyright issues again!) but I know that most companies or affiliates will let you use the images off their website if you are affiliated with them. I already have permission from a couple of companies that way.

Anyway...following the SBI model, I have not done anything to monetize my site, working to first build my content. However, I am consistently finding I am wanting photos to put on these content pages.

Should I go ahead and just sign up for CJ and some of the affiliate programs so I have access to the photos at least? I will be using these affiliate programs down the road anyway. I almost feel guilty...violating the AG!

lisa · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 09:17 PM

Hi Jewel,

Check this thread...

http://www.websitebabble.com/images-...s-wabsite.html

There are a handful of sites that offer free images.

Jewel · #3 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 09:55 PM

I am not finding anything at any of these free sites. I am looking for photos of camping air mattresses and all I seem to get are pool blow up rafts (although I am giving my son one of those to use at his scout campout this weekend so he can pack light and sleep comfortably!)

I think I will either have to do the affiliate thing or set up in my backyard this weekend and retake some of the photos, unless anybody has anymore suggestions.

I am also tired and grumpy right now...feeling like I wasted the whole night and didn't get any pages done! Maybe my outlook and findings will be better tomorrow!

Lajocar · #4 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 11:28 PM

If you looking for images for your website.

Just do a search for "royalty free images"

lisa · #5 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 08:35 AM

Yeah I finally broke down and bought a Photos.com membership. It's a bit pricey for most but so much easier to find photos you need. I'm sure there are cheaper ones though. Lajocar's tip may work for ya.

Lajocar · #6 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 10:10 AM

Cool Lisa, for buying a membership

The three choice you have for images are:

Take pictures yourself
Search for royalty free images
Purchase images or subscribe somewhere

James · #7 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 10:47 AM

This will be an ongoing problem for you unless you try something like this. I would contact the major (or minor) manufacturers—just go to their sites and email. Tell them you are writing about camping on your site and would like to include pictures of their gear as examples of what people could use. Ask permission to copy pictures from their site to do so.

My guess is that they will be delighted to get the free advertising as they would view it. If you don't name specific products or at least offer only a suggested list like, "tents, backpacks, and so forth," you will have a permission that you can use for anything they have for the future as you need them.

Jewel · #8 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 03:08 PM

I did the royalty free search and have been to most of the sites. Mostly my searches return pool rafts!

Flickr had some...but usage of their stuff is complicated...getting permission from each person etc.

I have written a few companies, some of which have given permission, some of which have not yet gotten back to me, and one or two who have had questions which I and they still have not responded.

I will also look into the site you mentioned Lisa...and see how much that is and what they have.

I will end up taking a bunch myself of products I have, but there are many I will be talking about that I don't own....and until companies start to send me products to review on my site (

) I won't be buying all of them!

So do you think joining some of the affiliates through CJ and getting my pictures off their sites when I am an affiliate is not a good idea? I actually think that is the easiest way and I know most resellers will give permission to take them off of their websites.

I feel like I am going around in circles. I guess I can put up pages without pictures and then when I am ready to monetize add pictures...but that means coming back to complete the work and a never-ending to-do list...speaking of which I would love to know how you all manage yours, especially related to different pages. I will post that on another thread though to keep it manageable.

lisa · #9 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewel

So do you think joining some of the affiliates through CJ and getting my pictures off their sites when I am an affiliate is not a good idea? I actually think that is the easiest way and I know most resellers will give permission to take them off of their websites.

Oh yes, that's definitely one way around it. As long as you only use the images to promote their products, most companies don't mind you using their photos. I'm just not sure how many programs you are going to find that have a lot of images to offer. It's usually better to join a photo membership site because they have the best selection.

Jewel · #10 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 04:18 PM

But so far the photo memberships don't seem to have what I need. When I searched for camping air beds and camping beds all I got were sleeping bags from them!

But I noticed that most of the websites that sell the same products have the same pictures, including some of the affiliates I want to sign up with..so, for example, I am looking for a picture of air mattress bed frames. Several of the stores that sell it have the same pictures and have affiliate programs that I am going to sign up for. They wouldn't know if I got it from them or one of my other affiliates, is the way I look at it.

Geez...I still have been putzing around today and have not written any pages!

Jewel · #11 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 05:21 PM

But so far the photo memberships don't seem to have what I need. When I searched for camping air beds and camping beds all I got were sleeping bags from them!

But I noticed that most of the websites that sell the same products have the same pictures, including some of the affiliates I want to sign up with..so, for example, I am looking for a picture of air mattress bed frames. Several of the stores that sell it have the same pictures and have affiliate programs that I am going to sign up for. They wouldn't know if I got it from them or one of my other affiliates, is the way I look at it.

Geez...I still have been putzing around today and have not written any pages!

lisa · #12 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 08:46 PM

I understand you want pictures because they do spice up your page. But if I were you, I'd spend time on your content and the Action Guide since you're very new. I didn't start focusing too much on pictures until I started getting traffic. I figured no one was looking at my site anyway. LOL

If you can find pictures along the way, great... go ahead and add them, but it sounds like it's taking away from your focus. I don't want you to get too sidetracked.

I bet you'll eventually find a solution for your images.

Jewel · #13 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 09:13 AM

Well fine then, Ms. Voice of Logical Reasoning. I will take my unfocused, sidetracked self and go create an imageless (sigh..and lyric-less) but content-filled page.

lisa · #14 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 05:14 PM

LOL, just tryin' to keep ya focused.

Lajocar · #15 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 10:43 PM

Good one Lisa, quality unique content is much more important than having lots of images

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