Image Recommendations
Best practices for finding, editing and using images on the website
Finding Images
Preferably, images should be created by the chapter or obtained from SCORE-approved resources. Never use images obtained from Google image search or other websites. Even images that are license under Creative Commons can include usage/attribution guidelines that can be missed or misunderstood and ultimately result in a license claim that creates an avoidable cost to SCORE. Should you use an image that isn't from SCORE's proprietary library, stock photo collection, or Getty images, be sure to include an image credit near the image that includes the source (i.e., Shutterstock, Adobe, etc.) and the photographer. Carefully read attribution guidelines and follow them exactly as specified (sometimes may include placement of a link).
A mentor-client photoshoot, proprietary photos, and stock images can be found on the following page: Image Resources
Getty Images
SCORE has a premium access subscription to Getty Images, a provider of professional stock photos, illustrations, and videos. You can use preview access and explore what Getty Images offers in terms of media content. The SCORE subscription is limited by the number of items that may be downloaded on a monthly basis; therefore, please limit downloads (per chapter) to no more than 5 per month. Get access to Getty Images by emailing marketing@score.org.
Getty Images search may include media assets that are not licensed under the Premium Access plan SCORE subscribes to. These assets will cost additional money therefore it is important to set the Agreements filter to Premium Access (see figure 1).
Figure 1
Advanced Search Filter
Figure 2
Creating Images
Your chapter may elect to create original photographs and/or videos for use on the website and/or other marketing materials. This is highly recommended as a way to localize your website better and capture the character of your local community.
Legal Considerations
If your chapter is creating original photographs or videos that include any subjects; including people, trademarked materials, and/or privately owned properties that are not considered public domain, a photo/video release form should be signed by the person(s), trademark or property owners. If you're unsure if a release should be obtained, it is always best to err on the side of caution and have the appropriate person execute the above-linked release.
General Website Image Tips
- Images should follow SCORE brand guidelines and reflect the main idea of the content.
- Consider SCORE's culture of inclusion by selecting photographs that include diverse subjects of varying genders and ethnicities.
- Never use images we don’t have permission to use. Use high-quality, licensed images.
- If not using Getty Images, SCORE stock images, or SCORE proprietary photos, please add an image credit that includes the source (Shutterstock, Adobe, etc.) and the photographer.
- Resize images DOWN, never UP (good, free, online image editor Pixlr.com)
- An image quality setting of about 70% results in a balance of quality and optimal image file size (Another great online resource for reducing the file size of your image uploads: Compressor.)
- Use JPG vs. PNG; Only use png if the image requires a transparent background.
- Be sure to fill in ALT and TITLE fields, which are available anywhere an image can be uploaded or used on the website, as these are important for your website to meet SCORE's accessibility guidelines and also have search engine optimization (SEO) benefits.
Drupal 9 Image Guidelines
Learn best practices when uploading imagery to the Drupal 9 platform in our Drupal 9 Image Guide.
Hero Band Feature Image
The hero band, a recommended option for all landing pages and basic pages, includes a featured image that fills a large portion of the top section of a page and is meant to support the content of the page and provide visual interest to help grab visitors' attention. Hero images are meant to be responsive and fluid, which means they scale with the page, adapting to various screen resolutions from desktops to mobile devices. The responsiveness of the hero image presents a challenge at times to keep the main subject of the image fully visible and balanced in the frame. The best images for use in the hero band have a central focal point. A hero image size of around 2560 x 1440 pixels is recommended, maintaining a 16:9 ratio.
Key Tip: Centering Faces
To ensure that people's faces remain the center focus of the photo even when the image block adjusts for responsiveness, it's best to use a composition where the faces are positioned in the center of the frame vertically. This way, when the image is cropped or scaled down, the faces are less likely to be cut off. Remember to capture or select high-resolution images that meet the minimum size required to ensure optimal image quality on your website.
Event Images
Event images need to be compatible with two different aspect ratios. On the Engage website, the
aspect ratio is 4:3, while on the SCORE website, it is 16:9. To maintain high-quality images on both
platforms, the minimum size should be 2048 x 1536 pixels. It is advisable to keep business logos and people's faces centered in the image to minimize the possibility of them being cut off due to the website's responsiveness.
Mentor/Contributor Profile Images
When cropping your mentor profile image for our website, it's important to follow these best practices to ensure high-quality and visually appealing results. First and foremost, make sure your image has an aspect ratio of 1:1, meaning the width and height should be equal. Secondly, ensure that the minimum size of your image is 500x500 pixels. Using a larger size is also acceptable as it will help maintain image clarity and detail. Additionally, please ensure that your face is centered within the image frame. Avoid using low-resolution or pixelated images as they can appear blurry or distorted on the website. Lastly, consider using a clear and well-lit photo of yourself that accurately represents your professional persona. This will help create a positive and engaging impression for visitors to your mentor profile.
Success Story Images
Success stories use 2 different aspect ratios. It's important to follow these specific instructions.
Feature content blocks use an aspect ratio of 16:9. On the success story page, the images are a 1:1
aspect ratio. To ensure the images fit seamlessly within both spaces, fit the subject of your image in
the 1:1 aspect ratio. This will prevent any cropping or distortion issues.
Canva Template Files
Click to use our templates and achieve the optimal outcome when uploading your pictures to SCORE's Drupal 9 platform.
Jumbo Banner Image & Teaser Card Template
Large Banner Image & Half-Width CTA Template
Event Images Template
Success Story Images Template
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