FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

"Are these photos from the Department of Defense?" No, the photographs on this site are the work of a few specialist civilian tactical photographers working under special authorization and cooperation from the US armed forces and sometimes with actors. Unlike most DoD photos, these are typically of high resolution and many are "model-released" and may be used in advertising.

"Are these photos "royalty-free?" No, these are "rights-managed" images licensed only for specific uses. Links to sites featuring modern military coverage and historic military coverage are provided -- but none of the images on these sites (or pretty much anywhere else) include "model-released" photographs that can be used for advertising and promotion.

"Why do I need a model-release for photos of military personnel in ads?" Military personnel have the same privacy rights as civilians and may bring civil suit against someone using their recognizable photograph to promote or advertise a product or service. Although we know of no such suits yet, the large number of DoD photos being used in advertising suggest that many advertisers are at risk of being sued for invasion of privacy. For more information click HERE.

"What about the other DoD photos -- are they legal for ads?" The US Department of Defense releases large numbers of photos primarily for "editorial" uses and has VERY strict regulations on what how photographs may be used to advertise or promote anything related to the military. For more information click HERE.