I’m saying this with all the love in the world, to you (and me): your blog post is not auditioning for a Vogue cover spread. Nor a shout-out at whatever the Met Gala of web content is. You’re writing to connect, inform, encourage, or move something in someone to act. Not only does it not need to be perfect, it never will be, and it doesn’t need to be to deliver impact. I’ve been there, and I still take more time than I need to on the “right” images. Stalking my go-to sites, trying to match that gorgeous mental image I’ve been carrying around. Am I trying to convey a specific mood? Something with soft lighting and a neutral-toned workspace? Or is it excitement and variety, where a diverse cast of models with glowing smiles hits that aspirational vibe to reflect my 800+ word post?
Yet with all that thought, what’s finally picked, because time moves on and this needs to be done, ends up being something that’s barely even noticed by the reader. Maybe they think it’s rubbish and don’t connect to the words in the ways you’d hoped. Or worse, that after all that time you spent weighing the pros and cons of your final two contenders, that someone is thinking, “Eh,” as they move past it. When I read blogs, short news clips, and various articles, unless the images selected and strategically placed around the words are supposed to be visual masterpieces, I’m not gonna lie, I 100% do the same. I take it in, read the accompanying piece, and… it’s fine. It works. Yet when I first started posting, I stupidly worried far too much about this very thing.
Perfection Is Not the Assignment
Let’s talk about the real reason I (we) get stuck in this image spiral: it’s because we want it to feel “exactly right.” That second someone comes across your work, unless this is just my weirdo process, I’m thinking it’s image (or images) first, heading/title second, and then if those satisfy their curiosity, they’re pulled into the content. It’s not even a stretch for me to imagine setting up some phenomenal scene, creating the right backdrop and mood lighting. Then hiring a temp model crew and snapping umpteen shots with a pricey DSLR camera. If this is your current situation, one, I’m hella jealous and two, NICE! But if you’re just on the ups like me and starting out, and so the only glamorous perk you have is yelling or texting your kids to ‘Repost this for Mum!’, then yeah, the extended flip through the free stock photo inventory feels valid. Lingering too long, wishing you could pick pieces between your options to make the perfect one. That’s just overthinking. And that’s when it all can go wrong and you lose the momentum of posting.
Think back and ask yourself: when was the last time you got stuck on a blog photo and thought, “Wow, this image really made me think!”? I’m guessing, you noticed enough to catch the sentiment before you dove into the words. Even when the image was outrageously adorable, like a baby with a drooling smile or two puppies asleep on each other. To a laugh-crying funny moment between two obvious friends, the artwork was still a quick pull-in before you got to the main show. The information. Your thoughts, your voice, your story, are why your readers are here.
Trust Your Choices – You’re Still Figuring Things Out
Your gut probably already knows which images work and the one that hit over 80% of what you want them to do. In time, and with more experience, you might make bolder choices or have access to more visually stimulating options, err…, that’s me day-dreaming over the juicier ones that require some cash-money. Though I’m not fully convinced that reaching said point will give me more clarity. Flooding the zone with more options could also mean more confusion. So, for now, I’m good with where I am, and you can be too.
Unless a trusted source has given you clear feedback that your creative photo picks don’t make a lick of sense, or are actually awful, give yourself some grace and some wiggle room to grow. Being stuck on page 40 of a 4,000+ image return for ‘women sipping matcha cozy aesthetic’, is not only pissing you off, but now they’re all starting to look the same. Pause. Are your words saying what you want to say? If yes, then pick one that speaks to most of your visual points, and hit publish.
“Good Enough” Is a Creative Strategy
All right, fine, maybe I made that one up for myself. But it gets me over a hurdle, so I’m gonna repeat it: “Good Enough” is a Creative Strategy. The work of writing, creating, and sharing is the consistency and skill I’m trying to build. Not ‘Photo-Picker’ gold medalist. Done well beats perfect. And shared beats stuck in drafts every time. Later, if you truly want to, you can always update those photos. But you can’t revise a post you never published. And no, don’t take this mantra of mine to mean “Mm-kay, got it! I’ll just throw any old thing up.” Of course not. You still care about quality. Just not so much that it keeps you from getting your message out into the big, wide world.
Where to Find Those “Good Enough” Images (That Still Feel Like You)
There are tons out there. A few are still free, but a growing number are part of some paid subscription model. My entrepreneur pockets tell me daily that unless it’s FREE-99, to look away from the latter. Here are some good (and at the time of this post, legal) places to find those “Good Enough” images:
- Kaboompics.com – Think “Pinterest-perfect,” with an edge.
- Nappy.co – Beautiful, rare and refreshing images centering Black and Brown creators.
- Pexels.com – Great for lifestyle shots with solid representation.
- Pixabay.com – A mixed bag, but every now and then you can strike gold.
- Reshot.com – Good for modern, not-so-typical stock.
- StyledStock.co – Feminine, curated, and free (though limited).
- Unsplash.com – Gorgeous, editorial style, decent variety if you dig around.
Know of more free and/or good stock image photo sites to share? Post in the comments, it helps us all out! I would explore them all at a time you’re not on a deadline to post and save those visual gems for when inspiration strikes.
Then, when it’s time to publish, find max five images that fit your needs. Set a time limit for yourself if you need more accountability. Roll the dice, pick the winner, and be done.
Pro Tip: Loosen Up Your Search Terms
Try not to be so stiff and boxed in with your search words. Instead of typing “woman holding a messy mug at work,” try things like:
- “Calm morning in an office with coffee.”
- “Intentional working, daybreak after rain.”
- “Cozy focused energy in the park.”
It might sound silly but be kind of romantic and free-flowing with it. Wishy-washy actually works great here to increase the scope. You’ll find you get back images you didn’t even know you were looking for that still fit your theme.
Remember
Your people aren’t zooming in on your photos like that. Relax, Babe. They’re tuning into your insight, humor (if that’s your thing), and your style of writing. And they’re looking for something that makes them feel seen or inspired—not something that looks like a magazine spread. Umm… unless your ‘thing’ is a magazine spread… then, my bad.
