5 Photo Websites Every Blogger Needs

05 July 2017

Ask any good blogger what one of the most important parts of blogging is, and I can guarantee you that one of the things they'll say is the Visual Aspect of it.  And what's one of the biggest parts of Visual Aspect? YOU GUESSED IT.  Pictures.  Images.  Photographs.

Images are so incredibly important to blogging.  They give your reader a picture (ha. ha. ha.) in their mind of what the post will be about.  They portray something, whether it be a feeling, an emotion, the vibe--IT'S JUST REALLY IMPORTANT.  Pictures (eh...I guess the whole aesthetic/visual thing really) make or break a post in my opinion.  So today I thought I'd tell y'all six photo/photo-related websites that I found and LOVE. These are literally all of my go-to sites in the photo department.

I KNOW I KNOW.  Everybody and their pet goldfish uses PicMonkey.  But really--it's one of the best out there for practical purposes. You can do so much with it, it's free, and very user-friendly--all of which are great things. HEY I even used it for the labels in this post. (No lie, I use Picmonkey so often). It does have a Royale feature, which is basically a premium membership thing (I feel like all websites have this though xD YOU CAN GET REAL BROKE HERE ON THE WEB, KID), but really, you don't need the upgrade to create really good content on Picmonkey.  I love this site so much :)) 

THE BEAUTY THAT IS THIS SITE.  *flails* CANVA WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE OKAY.  I literally only found out about it last year (MAJOR PROPS TO ABBY), but I've probably used it on countless posts already.  IT'S JUST AADFKJSLDFJ PERFECT.  Basically this website has tons of free templates and you can customize and design them to your liking and wooooow IT'S PERFECT. 

So while this doesn't necessary have a lot to do with designing the picture, THIS IS AN AMAZING TOOL FOR BLOGGING. You know those times when you've written a solid chunk of words for your posts but it's just...too...much? Too many words without any breaks.  YOU NEED PICTURES.  But oh no! I can't go take any pictures because *insert 32985994254 reasons*.  THAT'S WHEN THIS IS A LIFESAVER. I highly recommend this because a) some of the pictures you can get are STRAIGHT FIRE and b) they save you a TON of time, all the while making you look like a professional.  IT DOESN'T GET A WHOLE LOT BETTER THAN THAT.  If you're looking for some sites, my recommendations would be Pexels or Pixabay.  I've found a ton of good ones on there, but trust me, there are countless websites like these out there.  Just make sure they're safe and YOU'RE WELCOME. 

EXHIBIT A 
OK so now we're getting a little higher on the "tech-y" ladder, but this one is pretty great. I haven't used this one a lot recently, but I have messed around with it before.  If you want something similar to Photoshop but don't want to splurge on the actual Photoshop software, this will probably save your life.  Pixlr is an online photo editor that is REALLY similar to Photoshop...but...it's online and it's free.  I'm certainly not a pro in Photoshop (how do you understand alllll of those commands and stuff?  Premiere Pro is crazy enough xD), but if you understand more of that kind of stuff, check out Pixlr for sure. 

SO we all know about those infographics that ARE THE COOLEST THINGS AROUND RIGHT...but...how do I make them? This site right here, my fren.  It's surprisingly easy to create infographics, and they look SO GOOD.  And it's really fun...so *cough* you might get carried away and make a little too many (definitely not speaking from experience.) But I highly recommend this one if you're looking for an easy way to make a not-so-easy looking infographic! (which is the dream, tbh!!) xD 

AND YES THIS IS AN EXTRA ONE but I really had to include it, even though it isn't a website.  Adobe Lightroom is probably one of the best photo editors out there in my opinion, because not only is it easy to understand and use, it has great features as well.  10/10 recommendation for sure.  Because hey, amateurs can use it, but so do the professionals.  It's a great tool to have on hand and a phenomenal photo editor.

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I feel like this post seems like I was sponsored by each of these websites, but I definitely wasn’t xD These are literally all some of my favorite online photo tools, and hopefully you find them just as helpful! I hope you all liked this post, and let me know of some other posts that YOU would like to see!  OH, and totally random side note, but I actually got Premiere Pro now which is incredibly awesome.  I'VE ACTUALLY STARTED MAKING VIDEOS AGAIN.  It's the best thing in the world, no lie.

SOOOOOO to all my American frens, how did the 4th of July go for you? Mine was great--small, but fun.  Bright fireworks (I literally almost wrote flowerworks.  I THINK I'M TIRED.), patriotic colors, and good food. (Also a big flop on my cake but that's for another post.)  YES.  Did you do anything special? And speaking of tired—I am that.  I literally forgot to post today until I was lying in bed, thinking of a post I did a while back, and I was like WAIT I NEED TO POST TODAY.  Not the best feeling, but hey xD It’s what happens when you don’t plan ahead.  Don't be like me and do that.

SO LET’S TALK! Favorite photo editor? Or do you even bother editing photos? (I mean, it is just a waste of precious time, am I right xD ACTUALLY NOT) Have you used any of these before? Any that I don't have on here that you'd recommend? Future post ideas? 

-autumn 

39 comments:

  1. AHHH YESS CANVA IS MY LIFE. Ever since my blog redesign about a month ago, I've been using Canva for ALL my graphics. Pixlr is really cool as well, though - and if you're looking for something a little more user-friendly, Pixlr Express is a great alternative to Pixlr Editor (the photoshop-like one). I also use BeFunky a lot, and occasionally I use Google Drawings. If you take the time to play around with it, you'll find it can do a lot of things! Ooh, thanks for the stock photo site recs; I'll definitely check them out.

    Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality

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    1. ISN'T IT EVERYONE'S xD It's so good though! SAME HERE. Well, I usually switch it up between PicMonkey and Canva, but STILL. So good. OH really? I'll have to check that out!! That's so cool. I used to use BeFunky ALLLLLL the time lol And FotoFlexer. Those were the good old days haha And I'll have to check out Google Drawings too! I've never heard of that either.

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  2. Thanks for all of these recs!

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    1. You're welcome! Thanks for reading, Jolly :)

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  3. THANK YOU Autumn! I use most of these but haven't hear of some...this is so helpful!!!

    Anna - www.worldthroughherheart.blogspot.com

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    1. EEEEP so glad you like it, Anna <3 Thanks for reading!

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  4. Someone mentioned Canva a while ago and it's definitely saved me a lot of hassle! (would you believe me if I said I used to create graphics in PowerPoint??) I don't know a lot about stock photo sites, but I have been looking at Unsplash, which seems pretty good.
    Jem Jones

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    1. YES IT'S BEAUTIFUL. I can't believe I haven't known about it longer!! OH REALLY? That's really cool! I wouldn't know where to start, but that's still cool. Yea, I also use Unsplash a lot, I just forgot to put it up there xD Definitely recommend it though.

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  5. This is sooo helpful!
    I hadn't heard of Venngage before. It looks SO cool! My infographic-loving-heart is happy now. I will definitely be using this website.

    ~Lydia~ <3

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    1. Heyyy thanks!!
      Haha, it is awesome.

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  6. THIS IS SO HELPFUL!! I've wanted to try Lightroom for ages.

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    1. YOU NEED TO DO IT. It's the best :)

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  7. Lightroom is THE BEST. Unsplash is pretty good for stock photos, just as a head's up!

    xoxo Abigail Lennah | ups & downs

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    1. YES IT IS!!!!! Haha, yeah, I do use that almost 99 percent of the time too lol

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  8. Yep, I use Picmonkey. I love how user friendly it is. It is kind of disappointing when they upgrade and free features are suddenly royal. Oh, well. Adjust, right. :-)
    ~Xyra

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    1. It is pretty great! Awww that is super disappointing! WHY DO THEY DO THAT. But it still has all the basics which I like.

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  9. lolz, picmonkey is too high tech for my measly laptop. it always seems to freeze. pixlr express is my go to editor for most things - except for like...lighting of photos. if i do that, usually i'll use vsco on the phone and then email it to myself. but i don't usually edit the pictures for my posts. hah. excited to check out canva and venngage though hohoho. WEEEEEE. wonderful post. always love finding new things. x

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    1. WHAAAT That is so strange? xD I mean...yeah. It does freeze up sometimes for me too actually lol. OK I HAVE GOT TO GO CHECK THAT THING OUT. Haha, you're brilliant dude. Use vsco and then email it....I'M GONNA DO THAT. That is genius.

      DUDE. YOU. WILL. LOVE. CANVA.

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  10. Canva is something I used on my old blog all the time...I need to get back to using it on my new blog. It literally did save my life, you're so right.

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    1. Yeahhh it is amazing for blogging!!! Thanks for reading!

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  11. Great suggestions!! Our school has Photoshop for free for Design & Graphics students (technically I'm an ex-student, I only did it for a week), so I've been taking advantage of that. But Pixlr is such a great alternative and I actually love all the subtle filters they have! :)

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    1. Thank you so much!!!! WOW that is so cool though if you get it for free :) Do you find it pretty easy to navigate? I always find it so difficult knowing WHAT THE FLIP TO DO. Yes you're so right Pixlr is awesome too.

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  12. This is going to help me so much. I need more images for blog pictures. I already use Pexel and am looking into Canva. Awesome post. I like your blog, by the way. I found you through Anna (A World Through Her Heart.)

    God bless you! :)

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    1. EEEEP Thanks for stopping by, Ivie!! Your comment means SO MUCH to me <3 Pexels is great, isn't it? Unsplash is another great site! AH THANK YOU! That is so wonderful! Small blogging world, huh? :)

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  13. Pixlr is my go-to!

    I gave your blog a follow, and I would truly appreciate it if you could check out my book reviews blog located at https://elsbookreviews.blogspot.ca/ and possibly give it a follow as well! Looking forward to reading more of your reviews!

    - El

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    1. YESS!!!!

      Thanks for stopping by, El! I'll have to check out your blog sometime!

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  14. Canva. is. EPIC. I do allll of my blogging design stuff on there. I've looked into PicMonkey, but my problem is that I like all the premium member stuff and I'm kinda broke xD

    I'll have to check out those free-stock photo sites! I usually use Pinterest (and put that annoying little notice under there #justincase)

    Thanks for all these suggestions! <3

    audrey caylin

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    1. THAT. IT. IS. (I've been doing that a lot in the comments I think xD Putting the dots after every word) OOOH yeah...but the thing I like about PicMonkey is that like you can crop a photo, which you can't do on Canva. Just like the ultimate basic stuff like that. IKR? Literally half the fonts are Royale.

      HAHA YAY!! I used to do that all the time...like I used pinterest pictures for everything under the sun. BUT SINCE I QUIT IT I'VE HAD TO RESORT TO OTHER MEASURES xD

      Thank you so much for commenting <3

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  15. THIS POST IS A LIFESAVER.

    Canva is BOMB. Oh my gosh, does anyone remember when Picmonkey was called Picnic? Yep, that's how long I've been using that site. XD

    Great post, lovely!

    xx Mackenzie

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  16. You can get so lost editing photos. I feel like you can sometimes take a perfectly normal, blah photo and make it into something totally out-of-space wonderful (which feels a little bit unfair). I've used PicMonkey before. Started figuring things out on that, and then I haven't used it for a while; so I'm pretty sure I've forgotten everything. *sighs*. Definitely looking into these other places. Thanks for the good suggestions, Autumn!

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  17. Oh boy, Picmonkey is the one! I would die without it, thank the lord it is free :)

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  18. BLESS THIS POST!!! I've used Canva for a little while now, and I can testify that it is ASDGHJKL!!!!! Also, Unsplash.com is a fantastic place to find free, high quality pictures.

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  19. OOH YES PICMONKEYYYY. I find PicMonkey is better for making thumbnails/adding text/etc instead of *editing* photos, but maybe that's just me? I also use VSCO to edit photos before transferring them to make thumbnails with. :)

    As for the others, I'm definitely going to look into them! Canva and stock photos are the two that I'm most interested in. :) No more /cough/ stealing /cough/ pictures from the internet....|you didn't hear that|

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  20. I'm too lazy to purchase any expensive editing program (but also because I need that money for clothes), but GIRL STOCK PHOTOS ARE LIFE. I need to start using them more; it's so much easier that taking your own photos. Lazy life. :P <3

    Aliah | Indigo Ink

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  21. I guess I'm not everyone and their goldfish *sobs* Thanks for the picmonkey suggestion; I should look into it. I just recently found Canva, and it is so beautiful! Thanks for the whole post, Autumn!

    https://teensliveforjesus.blogspot.com

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  22. Helpful post :> I also use Unsplash.com. They have beautiful photos.

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  23. oh my goodness sooo helpful!!! I just got a computer after years of trying to edit photos on the snapseed app and am looking for ways to edit my photos :)

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