tkInter and Pillow don't display any images in GUIs - program gives errors instead

[joe_momma]

So that would basically mean I can not use functions at all,

Nope just in your example, if you want success use guizero. tkinter is best implemented in a class.

bg_l.place()

where are you placing the image?

place = place_configure(self, cnf={}, **kw)
|
| place_configure(self, cnf={}, **kw)
| Place a widget in the parent widget. Use as options:
| in=master - master relative to which the widget is placed
| in_=master - see 'in' option description
| x=amount - locate anchor of this widget at position x of master
| y=amount - locate anchor of this widget at position y of master
| relx=amount - locate anchor of this widget between 0.0 and 1.0
| relative to width of master (1.0 is right edge)
| rely=amount - locate anchor of this widget between 0.0 and 1.0
| relative to height of master (1.0 is bottom edge)
| anchor=NSEW (or subset) - position anchor according to given direction
| width=amount - width of this widget in pixel
| height=amount - height of this widget in pixel
| relwidth=amount - width of this widget between 0.0 and 1.0
| relative to width of master (1.0 is the same width
| as the master)
| relheight=amount - height of this widget between 0.0 and 1.0
| relative to height of master (1.0 is the same
| height as the master)
| bordermode="inside" or "outside" - whether to take border width of
| master widget into account