LavishMade

Adding Photos to Blog Posts

Adding Photos to Blog Posts

LavishMade gives you multiple ways to add photos to your blog posts, each serving a different purpose. Whether you want images inline with your text, a stunning cover photo, or a curated photo gallery at the bottom, we've got you covered.

Three Ways to Add Photos

  • Inline Images: Drag and drop images directly into your blog content
  • Cover Photo: Set a beautiful header image that appears at the top of your post
  • Photo Gallery: Create a dedicated photo gallery section with grid or slider layouts

Fast & Efficient: All image uploads use direct-to-cloud technology, so your photos upload quickly and reliably without slowing down your editing experience.

Method 1: Inline Images

Inline images appear exactly where you place them within your blog content. They're perfect for illustrating specific points, adding visual breaks, or creating step-by-step tutorials.

How to Add Inline Images

  1. While writing or editing your blog post, position your cursor where you want the image to appear
  2. Drag and drop an image file from your computer directly into the editor
  3. The image will appear exactly where you dropped it, and it will stay there
  4. Continue writing above or below the image

Inline Image Features

  • Stay in Place: Images remain exactly where you drop them in your content
  • Lightbox Viewing: Readers can click any inline image to view it larger in a beautiful lightbox modal
  • Fast Uploads: Images upload directly to our cloud storage for instant performance
  • Smart Formatting: PNGs preserve transparency, GIFs stay animated, and JPEGs are optimized for fast loading
  • No Gallery Confusion: Inline images won't appear in your photo gallery section (only if you explicitly add them to a gallery)

Best Practices for Inline Images

  • Use inline images to illustrate specific points in your narrative
  • Place images near the text they relate to for better reading flow
  • Mix text and images throughout longer posts to create visual rhythm
  • For multiple unrelated images, consider adding them inline rather than as a gallery

Method 2: Cover Photos

Cover photos are the hero images that appear at the top of your blog post. They're the first thing readers see and help set the tone and mood for your content.

How to Add a Cover Photo

You have two options for adding cover photos:

Option A: Upload Your Own Photo
  1. In the blog post editor, look for the "Cover Photo" section
  2. Click "Upload Photo" or drag a photo into the upload area
  3. Your photo will be uploaded and set as the cover image
  4. You can replace it anytime by uploading a new photo
Option B: Use Unsplash Integration
  1. In the "Cover Photo" section, click "Browse Unsplash"
  2. Search for high-quality, professional photos by keyword
  3. Click a photo to select it as your cover
  4. Attribution is automatically added to credit the photographer

Learn more about Unsplash integration in our Using Unsplash Images guide.

Cover Photo Best Practices

  • Choose high-resolution images (at least 1920px wide) for best quality
  • Pick images that visually represent your blog post topic
  • Consider the mood and tone - do you want dramatic, calm, vibrant, or minimal?
  • Make sure text in the header area is readable over your chosen cover photo
  • Test on mobile to ensure the cover photo looks good at different sizes

Method 3: Photo Galleries

Photo galleries are dedicated sections at the bottom of your blog post that showcase multiple images in a beautiful, organized layout. They're perfect for travel posts, portfolios, event recaps, or any content where you want to feature a collection of photos.

How to Add a Photo Gallery

  1. Scroll down to the "Photo Gallery" section in the blog post editor
  2. Click "Add Photos" to select images from your computer
  3. Upload multiple photos at once (they'll all upload in parallel)
  4. Choose your gallery layout (Grid or Slider)
  5. The gallery will appear at the bottom of your published blog post

Gallery Layout Options

Grid Layout
  • Displays photos in a 3-column grid
  • All photos are visible at once
  • Perfect for showcasing multiple images that tell a story together
  • Click any photo to view it full-size in a lightbox
  • Great for portfolios, event galleries, or product showcases
Slider Layout
  • Displays one large photo at a time with navigation arrows
  • Instagram-style counter shows current position (e.g., "1/12")
  • Swipe left/right on mobile or click arrows on desktop to navigate
  • Dots at the bottom let you jump to specific photos
  • Perfect for sequential storytelling or before/after sequences

Photo Gallery Features

  • Separate from Inline Images: Only photos you explicitly add to the gallery appear here
  • High-Quality Display: All gallery images use CDN delivery for fast loading
  • Professional Presentation: Gallery section has visual separation from blog content
  • Mobile Optimized: Galleries look beautiful on all device sizes
  • Captions: Add optional captions to provide context for each photo

When to Use Photo Galleries

  • Travel Posts: Show off multiple locations or moments from a trip
  • Event Coverage: Share highlights from concerts, festivals, or gatherings
  • Portfolios: Display your photography, artwork, or design work
  • Recipes: Show step-by-step cooking process or final presentation angles
  • Product Showcases: Display multiple views or variations of products
  • Before/After: Use slider layout to show transformations or progress

Choosing the Right Method

Here's a quick guide to help you decide which photo method to use:

Use Inline Images When:
  • You want images to appear within the flow of your text
  • You're illustrating specific points or steps
  • Each image relates to different parts of your content
  • You want maximum control over image placement
Use Cover Photos When:
  • You want a hero image to set the tone
  • You need a visually striking header
  • You want to grab attention in feed previews
  • You're creating a consistent blog aesthetic
Use Photo Galleries When:
  • You have a collection of related photos to showcase
  • Photos are the main focus, not just supporting elements
  • You want a clean, organized presentation at the end
  • You're creating a visual showcase or portfolio piece

Combining Multiple Methods

You can absolutely use all three methods in a single blog post! For example:

  • Cover Photo: Sets the mood with a stunning landscape
  • Inline Images: Throughout your text to show specific locations, people, or details
  • Photo Gallery: At the bottom as a full showcase of your best photos from the trip

This combination gives readers the best of all worlds: a beautiful header, contextual images within your story, and a curated collection to browse.

Image Format Support

LavishMade intelligently handles different image formats:

  • JPEG: Best for photos and realistic images - automatically optimized for web
  • PNG: Perfect for graphics, logos, or images needing transparency - transparency is preserved
  • GIF: Animated GIFs keep their animation - great for reactions or demos

Upload Tips & Troubleshooting

  • File Size: Keep individual images under 10MB for best performance
  • Multiple Uploads: You can drag multiple images at once for galleries
  • Upload Progress: Watch for the progress indicator during uploads
  • Connection Issues: If an upload fails, check your internet connection and try again
  • Auto-Save: Your blog content auto-saves, including image placements

Pro Tip: Start with a compelling cover photo, sprinkle inline images throughout your narrative for context, and finish strong with a photo gallery if you have a collection to showcase. This creates a visually rich experience that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.