How do I find images that cam be used legally on my website? I am doing a pet-care website, I found tons of great photos on the web but I don't want someone coming after me for copywright?
Do a search for royalty free images. Places like istockphoto.com and 123rf.com are good resources to start with. Images sizes will affect what you pay and you have different options on licenses but you'll see that when you get there.
I checked a few of these sites, and they do not offer what I need. I am working with a specific niche, and most of the photos I found are on sites like Flickr from the owner, can I just contact them to see if I can use them?
You can (and should) definitely do that! Also, if you go to the advanced Flickr search, you can select a search of only images that have a Creative Commons license that allows commercial reuse. Once you find photos that way, you should double check the license wording, but that's a good way to start.
royalty free, and stock photo sites. sxc.hu - make sure you check the license before you use the image.
If you cannot photo those products you are selling, ask your suppliers for photos of those products. That would be the safest way to post image on your site.
If you want to use decent images, the fact is that you have to pay for them.. Trust me, you do not want to get into any legal battles with these companies because they're immovable. Getty Images are well known for lawsuits against anyone.
You can try wikimedia commons. So many pictures with different license types from public domain to GNU something.
does the software products photos have copyrights ? i mean,i think i can post them on my website ,because i am promoting their products
If you need high quality pictures for you website you have to buy them. But if it´s pictures of your products I would also contact the supplier, because they will most likely have pictures of high quality and let you use it for you business. If you need more general pictures, I like shutterstock.com
Use photos from Stock Photo websites that way you will be covered. Legally you cannot use a photo you find on the web with out the photographer's permission. My favorite stock photo website is http://www.photo-wizard.net Here is where you can find some other inexpensive stock photo directories: http://www.small-business-software.net/stock-photography.htm Another site list can be found here: http://www.webmaster-elements.com/webmaster-graphics/photos.htm Goodluck