Unsplash

Photography

Unsplash is the internet's largest source of freely-usable high-resolution photography, with over 3 million photos from 200K+ contributors. The API provides search, random photo selection, collections, user profiles, and topic-based browsing. Photos are free for commercial use under the Unsplash License. For OpenClaw agents, Unsplash is the go-to API for sourcing high-quality images — blog hero images, social media visuals, Notion page covers, or any content that needs professional photography. The API supports dynamic resizing via URL parameters, so you can request exact dimensions without downloading the full resolution.

Tags: media, images

Category: Photography

Use Cases

  • Source hero images for blog posts, landing pages, and social media
  • Add cover images to Notion pages and databases automatically
  • Fetch themed background images for generated reports or presentations

Tips

  • Use URL parameters on image URLs to resize dynamically: ?w=800&h=400&fit=crop
  • Trigger the download endpoint when displaying photos to comply with API guidelines
  • Apply for production access early — the review process can take a few days

Known Issues & Gotchas

  • Demo apps are limited to 50 req/hour — apply for production approval for higher limits
  • API guidelines require triggering a 'download' event when using photos publicly
  • OAuth setup is only needed for user actions — use simple Access Key for search/download

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need OAuth for basic image search?

No. A simple Access Key (Client-ID) is sufficient for searching and downloading photos. OAuth is only needed for user-specific actions like liking photos or managing collections.

Is attribution required?

The Unsplash License doesn't legally require attribution, but Unsplash's API guidelines ask you to credit photographers and provide a link back. Follow the guidelines to maintain good standing.

What's the Demo vs Production difference?

Demo apps are limited to 50 requests/hour. Apply for production status (Unsplash reviews your app) to get higher limits. Most personal automation qualifies for production approval.