If you will use the image in multiple places, then it's worth loading the image data only once into memory and then sharing it between all Image elements.
To do this, create a BitmapSource as a resource somewhere:
<BitmapImage x:Key="MyImageSource" UriSource="../Media/Image.png" />
Then, in your code, use something like:
<Image Source="{StaticResource MyImageSource}" />
In my case, I found that I had to set the Image.png file to have a build action of Resource rather than just Content. This causes the image to be carried within your compiled assembly.
After having the same problem as you and doing some reading, I discovered the solution - Pack URIs.
I did the following in code:
Image finalImage = new Image();
finalImage.Width = 80;
...
BitmapImage logo = new BitmapImage();
logo.BeginInit();
logo.UriSource = new Uri("pack://application:,,,/AssemblyName;component/Resources/logo.png");
logo.EndInit();
...
finalImage.Source = logo;
Or shorter, by using another BitmapImage constructor:
finalImage.Source = new BitmapImage(
new Uri("pack://application:,,,/AssemblyName;component/Resources/logo.png"));
The URI is broken out into parts:
The three slashes after application: have to be replaced with commas:
Note: The authority component of a pack URI
is an embedded URI that points to a
package and must conform to RFC 2396.
Additionally, the "/" character must
be replaced with the "," character,
and reserved characters such as "%"
and "?" must be escaped. See the OPC
for details.
And of course, make sure you set the build action on your image to Resource.
Best Answer
http://learnwpf.com/post/2006/06/04/How-do-I-Include-Vector-Based-Image-Resources-in-my-WPF-Application.aspx explains how to do it.