Choose photos that help a prospective client understand the firm’s people, work, or service area. A real image of a project team reviewing site plans may communicate more than a generic image of a bridge. Select images for a specific page purpose, then check that the image supports the claims made on that page.
Confirm who owns each image and what uses are allowed. A staff member taking a photo does not automatically mean the firm owns unrestricted web rights. Review photographer agreements, client contracts, employee policies, and any restrictions imposed by the site owner. Ask the project manager or contract administrator to confirm permission for project images, especially when a client’s name or recognizable property appears.
Look closely for information that should not be public: confidential drawings on a screen, security equipment, license plates, personal information, or features that could reveal sensitive infrastructure details. Obtain consent from identifiable people where required. If a client or employee withdraws permission, remove the image or replace it with an approved alternative.
Captions should state the actual project and the firm’s role. If the photo shows a site where the firm provided survey coordination, do not caption it as if the firm designed the entire facility. Avoid using stock or generated images in a way that suggests they show the firm’s actual staff, client, or completed work. If you use an illustrative image, label it clearly so visitors are not misled.
Write concise alt text that conveys useful information in context. For example, “Civil engineer reviewing a grading plan at a project site” may help someone understand the image’s purpose. Decorative images that add no information can be excluded from the reading order. Compress image files so pages load quickly, while retaining enough detail to be useful. Check the page on a phone as well as a desktop screen.
Keep a simple record of the image source, usage rights, approvals, caption, and review date. Recheck permissions when contracts or client relationships change. This is general education, not legal advice; contracts, applicable law, licensed PE judgment, and local codes govern.
