How to Embed an Image into an Email (using Gmail)

A lovely reader emailed me asking for step-by-step instructions on embedding an image into an email, like we did for our save-the-date email. I’ve only done this with Gmail so unfortunately I can’t help you with other email servers, though I bet the process is very similar. Besides, why aren’t you using Gmail? It’s awesome!

Anyway, on to the instructions:

1. Upload your image to Picasa: picasa.google.com/. If you have a Gmail account, so you should automatically have a Picasa account. You can upload straight to the website or download the Picasa software to your computer and upload that way. For our save-the-date email, I uploaded straight to the website.

2. When you upload the image, create a new album for it and make the entire album “unlisted.” This way it will be private and if anyone has access to your Picasa public site, they won’t see it.

3. Once the picture is uploaded, click to open it. On the right hand side, click on the link that says “Link to this Photo”.

4. Under “select size,” choose “original size.”

5. Click on “Image only – no link.” If you don’t choose this option, people will be directed to this Picasa page when they click on the image within your email, which you don’t want.

6. Copy the link under “Embed Image.” You'll be pasting this shortly.

7. Go back to Gmail. You need to have the image setting activated (which doesn’t happen automatically) so to do so, go to Settings and click on Labs.

Scroll down to where it says “Inserting images” and click on “Enable.” Don’t forget to save your changes.

8. Now you can compose your email. Above the body of the email, you’ll see a little image icon that looks like this:

Click it and a new window will appear that allows you to insert an image. Click on “Web Address (URL)” and paste the URL from the Picasa site (the Embed Image link from step 6) there. You should now see a preview of your image. If you do not, you may not have copied the URL properly.

9. Press “OK” and the image will appear in the body of the email. You can add any additional text before sending it out.

TIP: Send yourself a sample email with the embedded image before sending it to anyone else. This way you can make sure it looks alright.

So there you go! Even if you aren't planning to email your save-the-dates, knowing how to embed an image can be helpful for a multitude of things, even in your non-wedding lives. I hope this is helpful!

(all screenshots by me)