Sourcing images and photography

Where to find images

The brand platform

The Communications team maintains the brand platform, containing images and video, for use in marketing material.

The brand platform is accessible to staff only. If you are a student requiring images or brand assets, please email communications-support@york.ac.uk with your requirements.

Log in to the brand platform

Stock photography

If your budget allows it, images can be purchased from stock photography websites. Images from stock photography site are usually sold as either royalty-free or rights-managed:

• royalty-free images are bought for a one-off fee, after which you can use the image for multiple purposes.
• rights-managed images are priced depending on where the image will be used, and how many times it will be reproduced. If you had purchased an image to use on your website, you would have to pay again if you decided you also wanted to use it in a newsletter.

Creative Commons

There are many high-quality images available under Creative Commons licensing. These are typically free for non-commercial purposes. Not all Creative Commons licences are the same, so please pay careful attention to the conditions of any image's licence before use.

Popular free image sites include:

• search.creativecommons.org
• pixabay.com
• unsplash.com

University archives

Photographs documenting the history of the University, from our foundation right up to the present day, are available from the Library.

• Discover York Digital Library

Photoshoots

If you wish to organise a photoshoot for marketing purposes, the Communications Support team can provide advice and recommend suitable photographers. Please contact communications-support@york.ac.uk.

For University event photography or formal staff portraits please contact the University Photographer, Paul Shields.