The Easy Method to Obtain Free to Use Images
Ensuring the images you use are copyright free

Images are essential to any writing. They break up the text and attract readers. Read any article on writing tips, and they will mention the importance of having an excellent eye-catching image.
Many writers, when they start, do not understand the complex nature of using images in their work. You can't use the picture if you do not have permission or have purchased the copyright. It might be the perfect image, but using it could leave you in trouble later on. Especially if the owner of the image comes looking for their publishing rights. This is why it is essential to find a quality, free to use image.
Just because you found it doesn't mean you can use it.
It doesn't matter if you credit the artist and link back to the source. If you don't have the right to publish the picture, you can still be sued. Using an image from a website and citing it as the source is not good enough. You have to have permission to use it.
Copyright stands unless otherwise stated.
As soon as a person publishes a picture they took, the image has automatic copyright. The only time this is not the case is with the following exceptions.
The image is in the public domain. Copyright expires typically after 70 years unless an extension is obtained. However, reproductions of these works can hold their own copyright, so be cautious. For example, even if a famous painting is in the public domain and photographers photos of it might not be.
Creative commons are when photographers have licensed their photos for public use. To be safe with these images, I would always refer to the photographer as there are many variations to these licenses.
Royalty-free images are those that the creator has given up their copyright for. They usually are paid a licensing fee by the site owner to offer these images.
How to find free images
My preferred site is Bing Images; it appears most straightforward to use and has a good range of ideas.
First, open bing images in your browser and search for the photo that you want.
Then you need to click on filter, at the top right of the screen, and select free to share and use. Once this has been chosen, you are safe with any image you see there.
The rules apply to all media.
This includes GIF's and memes unless you produce them yourselves. Even if you do, make sure you are using copyright-free images in your GIFs. This is, however, a very grey area as GIFs are shared amongst social media. So my advice will be to show caution if you use them in blogs, that could make you money.
What can you use
Apart from the methods above and websites such as Unsplash and Pixabay, there are several other ways of providing images for your blog.
The easiest way that provides no risk is to use the images that you have taken yourself. However, on sites like Medium, I would still credit the photo as your own as you may not be distributed if you don't.
Photos you take of book covers and other parts of a book are generally covered under the license of fair use. Although they carry minimal risk, it is unlikely publishers will object. Ensure that you cite the book reference under the photo using Harvard referencing.
Medium makes the process of correct citation easy. They automatically import a photo with accreditation into your articles. However, you only have to be on Medium for a couple of months to see the same image again and again. So try to use images that haven't been used before.
Images are essential to all blogs. Using them correctly is essential if you wish to take your writing career further. If you follow these simple rules, you will be free from worry.
Use copyright-free images or seek the permission of the copyright holder
Accredit all pictures correctly, even if they are yours
Wherever possible, use your photography
If in any doubt, don't use and go for a safer option