Research Guides: Public Domain & Creative Commons Media: Images

Public Domain Images

Public Domain images don't require attribution, making them prefect for projects of all types.

Pixabay
Provides free, Public Domain images. (Unfortunately, it also offers Shutterstock images, which aren't free, but they're clearly labeled "sponsored images," so just ignore them.)
Upsplash
Provides free, Public Domain images.
Morguefile
A community-based free photo site.
The Public Domain Review
A collection of Public Domain images, books, films, and audio files. Browse by medium, time period, tag, or source.
NYPL Digital Collections
More than 200,000 images from the New York Public Library. When you click the search box, make sure you select "Search only public domain materials."

Creative Commons Images

If you can't find Public Domain images that fit your needs, you can also use Creative Commons-licensed content as long as you provide proper attribution and otherwise meet the terms of the license.

Wikimedia Commons
Searchable access to Wikipedia images uploaded by users. Most of the content is available under a Creative Commons license. Licensing information is provided at the bottom of each image's individual page.
CC Search
Search for Creative Commons and Public Domain content across numerous sources, including Flickr, Google, and Wikimedia Commons. To find only Public Domain images, use the Filter to select CC0 and/or Public Domain Mark.
Flickr: Creative Commons
Many Flickr users have chosen to offer their work under a Creative Commons license, and you can browse or search through content under each type of license.
Noun Project
Icons and symbols under a Creative Commons license.
Flaticon
More than 16,000 free vector icons.
PhotoPin
This image search engine returns both Creative Commons and non-Creative Commons images. When you download any image, you can also download the necessary HTML to appropriately attribute the image to its creator.