Free and Low-Cost Image Sources for Creators: Our Editorial Picks
Image libraries creators commonly use, how their licences differ, what attribution they ask for and the checks to run before you publish any image you did not make.
Most creators need images they did not shoot themselves, at least sometimes. This is an editorial selection of commonly used sources, grouped by type. It is not a ranking and we have no commercial relationship with any of these services. Licences change, so always read the current terms on each site before using an image.
A quick primer on licences
- Public domain: no copyright restrictions, or copyright has expired. Still check for trademarks and recognisable people.
- Creative Commons: a family of licences. CC0 waives rights; CC BY requires attribution; NC means non-commercial only; ND means no derivatives; SA means share-alike. Read the specific licence.
- Custom free licences: some libraries use their own licence that allows broad use but restricts certain things, such as selling unmodified copies.
- Royalty-free (paid): you pay once and can use the image under the licence terms without per-use fees.
- Editorial use only: can be used in news or commentary but not in advertising or commercial promotion.
Free photo libraries
1. Unsplash
A large library of photographs under the Unsplash Licence, which allows free use for most purposes, with some restrictions (for example, on compiling photos to replicate a similar service). Attribution is appreciated but not required.
2. Pexels
Free photos and videos under the Pexels licence, allowing broad use with certain restrictions, such as not selling unaltered copies.
3. Pixabay
Photos, illustrations, vectors, videos and music under the Pixabay Content Licence.
4. Wikimedia Commons
Millions of media files under a range of free licences and public domain. Each file has its own licence and attribution requirements, so check the file page carefully.
5. Openverse
A search engine for openly licensed media, maintained as part of the WordPress project, which searches across multiple sources.
Museum and archive collections
6. Open-access museum collections
Many museums publish high-resolution images of public domain works under open-access programmes, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Rijksmuseum and the Smithsonian. Check each institution's terms.
7. Library and government archives
National libraries and government agencies often publish images in the public domain or under open licences. In the United States, many works created by federal government employees are in the public domain, but check each item.
Illustration and icons
8. Icon libraries
Open-source icon sets with permissive licences are widely used for blogs and websites. Check whether attribution is required.
9. Illustration libraries
Several sites offer free illustrations under permissive licences, often customisable in colour.
Paid options worth knowing
10. Subscription stock libraries
Paid stock services offer large collections, clearer licensing, model releases and legal protections. Useful for commercial projects or brand work.
11. Commissioning photographers and illustrators
For distinctive imagery, commissioning original work is the best option. Agree in writing on usage rights.
Making your own
12. Your own photography
Original photos are the most distinctive and trustworthy option. See our photography fundamentals guide and our guide to blog images.
13. Generated artwork
Some creators use generative tools for abstract or illustrative artwork. If you do, read the tool's terms, label generated images clearly, avoid generating images of real people or misleading realistic scenes, and never use generated images as "evidence" in reviews. This magazine labels its own generated cover art; see our image credits page.
Checks before publishing any image
- Read the licence on the source page and save a copy or screenshot with the date.
- Check attribution requirements and follow them.
- Check for recognisable people: commercial use may require model releases.
- Check for trademarks, logos and artwork in the image.
- Check for property: some buildings and private property may have restrictions for commercial use.
- Avoid "free wallpaper" sites that re-upload images without permission.
- Use reverse image search if an image's origin is unclear.
- Keep records of where each image came from.
Why it matters
Using images without permission can result in takedown requests, invoices or legal claims. Clear sourcing also builds reader trust.
The summary
Free libraries, open-access museum collections and Creative Commons search tools give creators many options, but licences differ. Read the terms, attribute where required, keep records, and prefer original images when you can.
A sourcing log you can copy
Record every image you did not create in a simple spreadsheet with these columns:
| Column | Example |
|---|---|
| File name on your site | linen-flatlay-header.jpg |
| Post where used | /fashion-beauty/flat-lay-guide/ |
| Source site | Wikimedia Commons |
| Original URL | (link to the file page) |
| Creator | (name or username as credited) |
| Licence | CC BY 4.0 |
| Attribution required? | Yes: credit line under image |
| Date downloaded | 2026-03-14 |
| Screenshot of licence saved? | Yes |
If anyone ever questions an image, this log lets you answer in minutes. It also makes it easy to replace images if a source changes its terms.
Writing correct attribution
Creative Commons recommends the "TASL" approach for attribution: Title, Author, Source and Licence. For example:
"Autumn Market" by Jane Example, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Link the title to the source page, the author to their profile where possible, and the licence name to the licence deed. If you modified the image, say so, for example "cropped and colour-adjusted".
Choosing images that do not look like stock
- Avoid the first page of results for popular searches; those images appear everywhere.
- Prefer images with natural light and real settings over obviously staged scenes.
- Crop creatively to focus on a detail.
- Apply consistent, light editing so images match your brand.
- Mix in your own photos wherever you can.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use free stock photos for brand-sponsored posts? Check each licence. Many free licences allow commercial use but restrict implying that people in the image endorse a product.
Can I use an image if I credit the photographer? Only if the licence allows it. Credit alone does not grant permission.
Is a screenshot of a film or TV show free to use? Usually not. It may fall under a copyright exception for commentary or review in some countries, but those exceptions are narrow and depend on the facts.
What if I receive a copyright claim for an image? Check your sourcing log, remove the image if you cannot show you had permission, and seek advice for significant claims. Be wary of scam emails impersonating rights holders. Verify the claim independently before paying anything.
Are AI image tools a safe alternative? Terms and legal questions around generated images are still evolving. Read each tool's terms, label generated images and never present them as real photographs of events or products.
