If you’re a photographer, amateur or professional, looking for a way to share your work with the world;- or perhaps someone in need of beautiful, free images for your projects the WordPress Photo Directory is a resource you’ll want to know about. As both a contributor and a moderator for the project, I’d love to take you behind the scenes, explain how it works, and encourage you to get involved yourself.

What is the WordPress Photo Directory?

The WordPress Photo Directory is a growing library of free, high-quality photographs that anyone can use. Every image is released under a CC0 licence, which means you can use them in personal or commercial projects without needing permission, attribution, or payment. Whether you’re designing a website, building a brand, or putting together marketing materials, you’ll find a wide variety of images to inspire your creativity.

That said, while credit isn’t required, it’s always considered a good practice to acknowledge the photographer. It’s a simple way of giving back to the people who have chosen to share their work so generously.

How to Use the Photos

One of the best things about the WordPress Photo Directory is its freedom. You can use the images for just about anything resale, branding, marketing, blog posts, or creative projects. The only thing you can’t do is claim ownership of the photo itself; the copyright always stays with the original photographer.

Every submission is reviewed by a team of volunteer moderators before appearing online. We work hard to ensure that only original, high-quality content is accepted, but as with any community-driven project, it’s always a good idea to do a quick check yourself if you’re concerned about licensing.

How to Contribute Your Own Photos

Submissions are open to everyone, and it’s a brilliant way to share your work with the wider WordPress community.

Here’s what to expect when submitting:

• You can upload up to ten photos at a time. Once those are approved, you’re free to submit more.

• Every image is checked against the guidelines, and you’ll receive an email notification whether your photo is approved or declined (along with feedback if it’s not).

• Moderation usually takes 24–36 hours, as the team is entirely volunteer-based, so a little patience is appreciated.

The technical requirements are straightforward: JPEG format, between 2000 and 7500 pixels, and a file size of 1–20 MB.

What Makes a Great Submission?

The guidelines are designed to ensure the directory remains full of beautiful, usable images. A few key points to keep in mind:

• Submissions must be photographs (not digital art, screenshots, or collages).

• Photos should be sharp, well-lit, and free from distractions such as heavy editing, filters, or watermarks.

• Avoid images that feature faces, private information like addresses or number plates, or branded products.

• WordPress is family-friendly, so no violent, graphic, or adult content will be accepted.

• Each photo should stand on its own variations of the same shot won’t make it through moderation.

Think of it as an opportunity to put your very best work forward. A well-composed landscape, an interesting texture, or a beautifully captured object could all be valuable additions to the collection.

Why Get Involved?

The WordPress Photo Directory is still young, but it’s already proving to be a fantastic resource for designers, developers, bloggers, and anyone in need of imagery. By contributing, you’re not only helping to build a valuable public library of images, but also showcasing your photography to a global audience.

For those using the photos, it’s an endless well of inspiration and a cost-free alternative to stock image sites. For those contributing, it’s a chance to share your vision with the world while supporting the open-source spirit of WordPress.

Ready to Explore?

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to take a look through the WordPress Photo Directory. Browse the growing collection for your own projects, or consider submitting some of your own photographs, I am one of the Photo Team Moderators for the photo directory – it’s an absolute privilege to be on a team which is the first to see so many images shared from around the world. At the time of writing this article there were over 26,000 photo contributions.
Some of my WordPress Photo Directory contributions also appear on this website too.

Whether you’re seeking a striking image for your website or keen to share your creativity with others, the directory is a place where everyone benefits. After all, photography is meant to be seen—and what better way to share it than with a community that values openness, creativity, and collaboration?