Where to Find Free Catholic Images to Use in Your Next Project
Finding Catholic images free of copyright restrictions is easier than you think!
I see this question asked all the time in Facebook groups: “I need a Catholic image for my book, project, social media, etc. Where can I find these and do I need to worry about copyright?”
I’m sure many of you have seen this question asked as well. Maybe you asked it. It is such a good question and shows you care about doing things right!
But the answer isn’t always clear. I’m hoping this post will break things down for you and serve as a great resource to share in Facebook groups the next time you see this question asked.
First things first— I’m not a copyright expert or a lawyer and this is strictly for informational purposes. Consult with a lawyer or copyright clearance expert for your unique situation.
Let’s start with some basics
Pulling images off of Google or online sites without obtaining permission is a bad idea. This is true even if you consider your project a hobby, a ministry, or not that lucrative. It’s not only unethical but could land you in legal trouble.
If something is still under copyright, providing credit or attribution to the artist or photographer is often not enough. You need actual permission, which requires asking and receiving permission in writing. Don’t assume that because you gave someone credit they are okay with you using their image in your project.
A good type of image to use is one that is in the Public Domain. These images don’t have any exclusive intellectual property rights to them. Instead, they are free for the public to use.
You can read up on Copyright Terms and the Public Domain and try to figure this out yourself, but it personally makes my head spin and I prefer someone else to do this work for me. This is where museums come in! Many, many museums have begun to release their copyright-free artwork to the public as “Open Access.” You can search and download artwork for free, and it is incredible!
I've created the following books with open access artwork
Where can you find images to use?
Two of my favorite places include:
Both museums listed above have ways to filter for Public Domain or Open Access artwork, and there’s some great Catholic stuff there! You might as well clear the rest of your day, because it is so easy to spend hours searching for untapped artwork for your next project. You’re welcome!
Caution
I am providing links in this article as a helpful starting point, but remember to ALWAYS review the museum’s terms of use before using images, especially since these can change.
Museums usually have a mix of images -- some in the Public Domain and some not. Filter and sort accordingly when you search. Always make sure you see the Open Access or Public Domain icon below the image. Click on those icons for further details to double check they mean what you think they mean.
If the image has a Creative Common’s license, read what this means. Not all are the same.
Some sites have different rules for different countries.
Some sites will have rules for if and how you credit the use of their image.
Images can still be protected by other rights (e.g., like trademark and privacy), which goes way beyond the scope of this article! But, good to know.
Paid subscribers, keep on reading for my full list of museums and tips on how to find and search for Catholic-specific images on these sites. It can be a little tricky at first, but with the right searches, you can find so many images!