Free Image Resources for Your Church Website

What you'll learn

• The best free stock photo sites for churches (Unsplash, Pexels, and more)
• How to search for images that feel warm and authentic, not generic
• Understanding image licensing so you never accidentally misuse a photo
• Free tools to resize and optimize images for the web
• How to take better original photos at your church with a smartphone

Notes

• Not all images found on the internet are free to use.
• Never screenshot an image or copy one just because another church uses it.
• Check the license details on any image site, and note whether attribution or credit is required.
• If you get an email claiming you used someone's photo, do not panic, as it is often a scam.
• Check the email for bad grammar and for links that do not include your church name.
• Resource one is the ChurchSpring Image Library, with hand-picked, vetted photos and fresh seasonal additions.
• Resource two is Unsplash, a large free photo site with collections and search filters by orientation and color.
• Resource three is Pexels, which has helpful search categories and lets you browse a photographer's other work.
• Pexels may show a thank-you or donate window, but payment is not required.
• Resource four is Freely, a smaller Christian-themed site that is light on photos of people.

Companion article

Notes and resources that go with this session