Pictures, websites and copyrights.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Someone mentioned the Creative Commons license, and I think it's very important to bring this up.

There ARE images on the net available for your free use. Some of them are public domain because their author has released them into the public domain. Some of them are licensed using a Creative Commons or GNU free documentation license, and can be used for any purpose so long as you attribute them as the author specifies.

Wikimedia Commons specializes in images that you can freely use. Most licenses even specify that you can modify the images, so long as you retain the attribution, and most allow commercial use.

Here's more information about the licenses:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/

Here's an example of a common license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Notice that this license specifically states the work can be used for commercial purposes.

So, it is not always necessary to receive written permission to use an image, IF it is licensed with the appropriate CC license. Note that not all CC licenses allow commercial use, so read over the license before you use the image. Also be sure you have attributed it correctly.

You absolutely cannot just yoink an image from the web, and use it on your site. That is not fair use, it's copyright infringement.

It's also unnecessary. There are images available that you CAN legally use. They may not be as gorgeous, but few gorgeous photos are free. The equipment to create them was VERY VERY expensive, the skills learned that enabled the photographer to produce them were hard won, and that artist deserves to be compensated for all that they have put into creating the work.
Respect that, and don't steal images. Simple.