Frequently Asked Questions

Free images

Are the images really free of charge?
How many images can I download for free?
Can I use free images in the app I am developing?
How do I publish an acknowledgement?
I don't want to publish an acknowledgement, can I still use the image?
I am using several free images, can I just put "images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net" (or similar) at the bottom of my site?
Can I put the credit in the image alt text or have it appear when you hover over an image?
How do I save an image I've downloaded?

Purchasing images

If I buy an image do you remove it from sale?
Why do the prices of high resolution images vary?
Do you charge a sales tax or VAT?
How do I save an image I've bought?
Where can I see a history of the images I've bought?
How much do Extended Licences cost?
If the image I've purchased is too small can I change it?

Using the images

Which size do I need?
How many times can I use the image?
Are the images copyright-free or in the public domain?
What's an 'Editorial Image'?
What are 'model releases' and 'property releases'?
Can I amend an image (eg crop, resize, add text etc)?
Can I use the images in school projects?
Can I use the images in products (eg books) which I intend to copyright?
Can I use the images on merchandise that I sell?
Can I use the images in designs I produce for clients?
Can I use the image in my company logo?

Selling images

How do I sell my photos or illustrations through FreeDigitalPhotos.net?
What types of images to you accept?
I have applied to sell my images but can't log in, why not?

Miscellaneous

Do I need to register to use the site?
What are the benefits if I do register?
How do I contact FreeDigitalPhotos.net?

Free images

Are the images really free of charge?

Yes! You can have a free, small sized version of every image in our collection. In order to use a free image you'll need to publish a credit to the artist who created the image, but that's all. Find out more about publishing an acknowledgement.

How many images can I download for free?

As many as you need.

Can I use free images in the app I am developing?

Images can be used in apps provided they are used in an incidental way, for example as backgrounds, icons, for illustration or decoration. If the images are a fundamental part of the app, where the app would not work without the images, then an Extended Licence would be required.

How do I publish an acknowledgement?

You simply need to include some text adjacent to the image which refers to the artist who created it and to FreeDigitalPhotos.net. Read our guide to publishing an acknowledgement for our recommended wording and what to do when it isn't possible to place an acknowledgement next to the image.

I don't want to publish an acknowledgement, can I still use the image?

We understand that it's not always possible, or convenient, to publish a credit. So all our images can also be purchased in a range of sizes (starting from just US Dollar US$3.00 per image). An acknowledgement does not need to be published for purchased images.

I am using several free images, can I just put "images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net" (or similar) at the bottom of my site?

No. Each image must be acknowledged individually on the page on which it appears. Otherwise our image creators are not being credited for their work.

Can I put the acknowledgement in the image alt text or have it appear when you hover over an image?

No, as we consider this to be "hiding" the acknowledgement. The acknowledgement should be visible on the same page as the image

How do I save an image I've downloaded?

When you've chosen your image and clicked on the 'download' link you'll be taken to a page to complete the download. Once you have clicked on the 'download' button at the bottom of this page your computer will do one of three things:

  • Pop up a new window giving you the options to Open or Save the image.
  • Open the image automatically (you can then save the image to your required location).
  • Save the image automatically (this will generally be to your 'downloads' folder).

We recommend that you register with us before you download images. By registering for an account you will be able to log in and see a history of the images you have downloaded, including links to download them again should you need to.

Purchasing images

If I buy an image do you remove it from sale?

No. When you purchase an image you are purchasing a license to use the image, but it isn't an 'exclusive' license. All images remain on the website for other people to purchase.

Why do the prices of high resolution images vary?

The price of each high resolution image is set by the person who created the image. Prices start at US Dollar US$10.00.

Do you charge a sales tax or VAT?

No, we don’t charge a sales tax or VAT.

How do I save an image I've bought?

When you have chosen the image you want and the size you need it in, click the link to add it to your cart. When you've finished shopping you can checkout and pay securely using a card or PayPal. Your image will be available for you to save as soon as you have completed checkout. If you are a registered user and have logged into the system then the purchased image will remain in your account so you can download it again if you need to.

We recommend that you register with us before you purchase images. By registering for an account you will be able to log in and see a history of the images you have downloaded, including links to download them again should you need to.

Where can I see a history of the images I've bought?

This is only available if you choose to register with FreeDigitalPhotos.net. When you are logged in you can view 'Your orders'. Please note that we can only track orders which you placed while logged in to your account.

How much do Extended Licences cost?

Extended Licences are required if you intend to sell the image on merchandise where the image is the sole, or main, reason someone would buy the product (eg T-shirts, wall hangings, etc). Extended Licences cost US Dollar US$75.00 and one is required for each image you wish to use in this way. There is no limit on the number of print runs with our Extended Licences. For more information see our terms.

If the image I've purchased is too small can I change it?

Yes, you can upgrade to a larger sized image if you find the one you've purchased isn't big enough for your purpose. When you have completed your purchase you will see a screen which allows you to download your image, This screen also has upgrade options.

When you upgrade your image you will only pay the difference in the price between your original and upgraded order.

If you have an account with FreeDigitalPhotos.net then you can access your order history at any time, and upgrade previous orders to a larger size.

Using the images

Which size do I need?

All our images are available in a range of sizes which can be viewed in our size guide.

How many times can I use the image?

You can use our images as many times as you like and for as long as you want. They are 'royalty-free' which means that you only pay for them once, rather than paying a 'royalty' each time you use them.

You can download each image as many times as you like, so long as it remains available for sale on our website. So, if you lose the image, you can re-download it. However, our image creators do occasionally remove images from our website, so we cannot guarantee that your image will remain available forever.

Are the images copyright-free or in the public domain?

No, the artists who created the images retain the copyright for them. You are using them under license – find out more about how our licenses work.

What's an 'Editorial Image'?

Editorial images are 'factual' pictures which may only be used for non-commercial and non-promotional purposes. They can be used, for example, to illustrate articles in websites, magazines, newsletters, books, broadcasts and newspapers.

Where an image is for editorial use only, this is clearly indicated as shown below:

Editorial image example

Find out more about Editorial Images.

What are 'model releases' and 'property releases'?

When a picture is sold for commercial use the image creator needs to obtain permission for the inclusion of any people or property (which is protected by copyright) featured in it. They do this by asking the model, or the owner of the intellectual property rights, to sign a legal document called a 'release form'. Where we have a release form on file for an image this is indicated by 'Model release on file' or 'Property release on file' being displayed with the other information about the image.

Can I amend an image (eg crop, resize, add text etc)?

Yes, using your own software, you can amend images to suit your needs. Please note, if you are using a FREE image, you still need to publish an acknowledgment even if you have amended the image.

Can I use the images in school projects?

Yes, that's fine. You can read our terms and conditions for further information on how our images can be used and, if you've downloaded a free image, how to publish an acknowledgement to the creator of that image.

Can I use the images in products (eg books) which I intend to copyright?

Yes, you can use our images in products such as books which you intend to copyright. You will retain the copyright for the product as a whole and therefore will have the rights to sell and distribute it. However, the copyright for the image itself is retained by the image creator. You can include the images in your product because the image creator has granted you a licence to do so.

For example, John Smith writes a book and uses photos by Sarah Jones within the book. Sarah Jones is still the copyright owner for the images, but she has granted John Smith a licence to use the images within his book. John Smith will own the copyright for the book overall.

The type of licence you required (Standard Licence or Extended Licence) will depend on how the images are used. Please see our terms and conditions for more details.

Can I use the images on merchandise that I sell?

In most cases yes, by purchasing an 'Extended Licence' (which costs US Dollar US$75.00) you can use our images on products such as T-shirts, mugs, greeting cards, etc. However, you cannot use our images within merchandising print-on-demand sites such as Zazzle and CafePress. Find out more about our Extended Licence.

Can I use the image in designs I produce for clients?

Yes, because you are effectively licensing the image on behalf of your client. So you can use the image for a variety of purposes for that client, eg their website, brochures and business cards.

However, if you wish to use the same image for multiple clients then you will need to purchase the image for each client.

Can I use the image in my company logo?

Our images cannot be used as company logos if the logo is going to be acquire trademark or copyright protection. However it is OK to use our images for logos within personal projects or small business enterprises where you will not seek to trademark or copyright protect the logo.

Selling images

How do I sell my photos or illustrations through FreeDigitalPhotos.net?

If you'd like to join our community of artists contributing to the site then please visit our contributor registration page.

What type of images do you accept?

We accept jpg/jpeg format photos and illustrations. There are three key things we look for:

  • Composition - it should be designed to be a stock image, not an image for personal interest.
  • Execution - the images should be technically excellent.
  • Variety - you should demonstrate the breadth of your talent.

While we only accept professional quality images, you do not need to be working as a professional photographer or illustrator to apply.

For full information on the types of images we accept and the quality requirements, please see our contributor registration page.

I have applied to sell my images but can't log in, why not?

All applications to sell images through FreeDigitalPhotos.net are reviewed by our team. Your account will not be active during this time. Once your application has been reviewed you will receive an email to confirm whether you have been accepted. It can take up to three weeks for your application to be reviewed, but it is usually much quicker.

Miscellaneous

Do I need to register to use the site?

No, you can download any free or purchased images without registration. However, if you do wish to register you can benefit from some additional features - see below.

What are the benefits if I do register?

If you choose to register with us you will be able to:

  • View your free downloads.
  • View your orders and re-download images you've previously purchased.
  • Display your favourite images in lightboxes.
  • Email lightboxes to friends.

How do I contact FreeDigitalPhotos.net?

You can contact us by email.