Download Beautiful Royalty Free Images at Pexels

Images add pop to an online module or face-to-face lecture. Carefully curated pictures illustrate key ideas and constitute a refreshing mode switch from textual or auditory modalities. Sometimes, they just look cool. However, finding images is not as easy as one might think. Google Images is an obvious solution, but it’s not always clear what you are allowed to use and what might be subject to copyright or permissions claims.

You’re in luck. Royalty free images are the solution. Services like Pexels.com provide free royalty free images for you to use. The “free” bit means you don’t have to pay to download and use the images and the “royalty free” part means you don’t have to pay royalties either. Here’s how to use Pexels.com’s excellent service.

Step 1: Consider Your Needs

Think about your topic and what you want to convey with your imagery. Do you want to inspire with aesthetics, illustrate with something more schematic or provide an object example of your subject?

Step 2: Search Pexels

Visit Pexels.com.

Then enter a search topic in the search box. You’ll get plenty of image results for most queries.

Need inspiration? Use the Explore link along the top right of the page. The “Discover Photos” and “Popular Searches” options will give you ideas.

Socratic Digital loves the “Healthy Food” and “Seascape” collections. Pexels also has wonderful color collections. Their Red collection features stunning images suffused in red. Pexel’s Green and Blue themed collections are equally gorgeous.

Step 3: Download Image

Select the “Free Download” button in the upper right to save to your computer.

Pro Tip: Consider renaming the file to something meaningful to you.

Step 4: Use Your Images Freely

You won’t get into trouble for using Pexels images. The “License” page at Pexels explains that images are free to use, that no permissions are necessary and that attribution – while appreciated – is not required.