Where to Find Great Images for Your Chapter’s Marketing (Without Breaking the Rules)

When it comes to creating eye-catching marketing materials for your chapter—whether it’s an event flyer, social media post, or new website banner—visuals matter. A strong image can stop someone mid-scroll, spark interest in an event, or make your website feel more professional and credible.

But here’s the catch: you can’t just grab any image off the internet. Using unlicensed or improperly sourced images can result in copyright infringement, which can lead to legal trouble or costly fines. Even if your chapter is a nonprofit or volunteer-led, the rules still apply.

The good news? There are plenty of affordable—and even free—resources where you can find high-quality, legally usable images. And if you want something even more authentic, there’s nothing better than a real photo from one of your members (with permission, of course).

Note: The resources in this post are provided as suggestions only. They may not be the perfect fit for every chapter’s needs, so please review the terms and conditions of any platform you use and confirm the license allows your intended use.

Free Image Resources (Commercial Use Allowed)

You don’t need to break the bank to find great images. These websites offer royalty-free photos that are free to use for marketing, websites, social media, and more. Just be sure to review the license terms on each site before publishing anything. If an image requires attribution, that simply means you must give credit to the creator somewhere your audience can see it—much like citing a source in an article.

1. Unsplash

• What it is: A huge library of modern, high-resolution photography
• Best for: Website headers, blog images, social posts
• License: Free for commercial use, no attribution required
• Example: Searching “construction site” returns over 1,000 relevant images

2. Pexels
   

• What it is: Free stock photos and videos, with a wide range of categories
• Best for: Instagram posts, chapter event highlights, promotional reels
• License: Free for commercial use, no attribution required
• Pro tip: Try using the “video” tab to grab free video clips for social media

3. Pixabay

• What it is: A diverse library of photos, illustrations, and vector graphics
• Best for: Event flyers, blog posts, chapter reports
• License: Free for commercial use, no attribution required
• Watch out: Some images may feel generic—take time to find the right fit

4. RawPixel (Free section)

• What it is: A curated mix of artsy and professional stock content
• Best for: Marketing templates and branded designs
• License: Some content requires attribution; free section available after sign-up

5. Noun Project

• What it is: A massive collection of icons and illustrations
• Best for: Infographics, presentations, flyers
• License: Free with attribution; paid subscription removes this requirement

Paid Image Resources (For Bigger Project or Teams)

If your chapter has a small budget for marketing or wants more specialized visuals, a paid image resource can be worth the investment. These platforms offer more advanced search tools, higher-resolution images, and broader license options for use in printed materials or campaigns.

1. Canva Pro

• Cost: ~$120/year per user (discounts available for nonprofits)
• Best for: Teams working on social graphics, flyers, and presentations
• Bonus: Includes access to premium images, templates, and branding tools
• Why it’s great: You can drag and drop images into pre-built templates in minutes

2. Adobe Stock
   
   

• Cost: Starts at ~$29.99/month for 10 images
• Best for: Print materials, magazine-style layouts, formal campaigns
• Strength: Professional-grade images with extended licensing available

3. Shutterstock

• Cost: ~$49/month for 10 images
• Best for: Industry-specific photos (e.g., infrastructure, coatings, industrial sites)
• Watch out: If you want to share an image with others (e.g., your event partners), you may need an extended license

4. iStock by Getty

• Cost: More affordable than Getty’s main site; plans start around $33/month
• Best for: Campaign-quality imagery on a budget
• Strength: Strong collection of professional photos and illustrations

Ask Your Members to Submit Original Photos (With Permission)

Want images that truly represent your chapter? Ask your members to share real photos of themselves in action—on job sites, during trainings, or at chapter events. Not only are these authentic, but they also help tell your chapter’s story in a compelling, personal way.

How to do it right:

1. Put out a call for submissions
   – “We want to showcase YOU! Send us your best photo from the field.”
2. Make it easy to share
   – Use Google Forms or email to collect images
3. Include a simple media release form
   – This is a must. You need written permission to use the images in any AMPP Chapter-related marketing.
4. Offer an incentive
   – Feature them in your event promotion, offer a small prize, or spotlight their photo on your homepage or social media

Need help with this?

We can provide you with a sample release form or help you set up a campaign to gather submissions. You can see how we collect images from our form here.

Closing Thoughts

Finding the right images for your marketing efforts doesn’t have to be expensive or risky. Whether you’re using trusted free platforms, investing in a paid library, or collecting real-world photos from your members, there are plenty of ways to create high-quality, visually engaging content—while staying legal and ethical.

If you’re ever in doubt about whether you can use an image, don’t guess—ask. We’re here to help your chapter look its best and stay in compliance.

Have question or need help getting started? Reach out to chapters@ampp.org. We are here to help!

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