Smithsonian Photographic Services

Policies and Prices
Effective April 3, 2009

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Contact Info:
Smithsonian Photographic Services (SPS)
NMAH, Rm. CB-054
Washington, DC  20560-0644
phone: 202-633-1933  fax: 202-786-2756
email: photos@si.edu

General Procedure:
Select images belonging to the Smithsonian Institution museums, galleries, libraries, and archives are available to the public for purchase. Sale of some of these images require specific approval by Smithsonian curatorial units.  A listing of curatorial units and their phone numbers may be found at the end of this document. 

Please contact these Smithsonian units to determine the availability of images and obtain valid image numbers.  If an image is not on file or available, objects may be photographed for you.  However, this photography must be accomplished by our office and the curatorial unit before you will be given valid negative numbers, by the curatorial unit, necessary to place your order.
1. Contact the Smithsonian unit related to the desired image or images to request specific image numbers and permission for your desired set of images. 
2. Send an email or a direct fax on your letterhead to our office with the following information:
 
1. negative numbers with image descriptions
2. product you would like to receive from these numbers (type of product often determines production time)
3. postal address (including company name, if applicable) so we may mail you a receipt
4. credit card number (if you request, we will call you for this number) and exp. date.
 
Payment and Minimum Charges
Prepayment is required &&&&&&& credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa, are accepted).&&&&&&  If you use a check or money order, please make it payable to “Smithsonian Institution” in U.S. dollars issued through a U.S. bank.  With your check, please include the information from lines 1-3 on letterhead. There is no tax or shipping costs (for US First Class Mail) on any order.
 
Photographic Materials Fee Schedule
This schedule reflects a materials fee only. 
Please note that reproduction rights or rights for commercial products are subject to approval and may require a licensing agreement.
 

Rush Services (5 working days)*  
High resolution scan (600 dpi tif file at 8x10"):
posted to our ftp server or e-mailed
$200
Medium resolution scan (300 dpi tif file at 8x10"):
posted to our ftp server or e-mailed
$100
Color or Black & White Print (8.5x11" or smaller)** $100
*(24-48 hour service is also available on most images, please double the rush services prices)
**denotes paper size; actual image size may vary in accordance with the original image format and cropping.
Non-Rush Services (5 weeks)  
High resolution scan (600 dpi tif file at 8x10"):
written to CD and mailed
$100
Medium resolution scan (300 dpi tif file at 8x10"):
written to CD and mailed
$50
Color or Black & White Print (8.5x11" or smaller)** $25
Color or Black & White Print (11x17")** $35
**denotes paper size; actual image size may vary in accordance with the original image format and cropping.

Terms and Conditions
There are often duplicate negative numbers referring to photographs in different collections.  A general  description with negative number of each photograph should be submitted with your order.
 
Delivery
We prefer to deliver digital images via e-mail or our ftp site.  Once your electronic images are ready for delivery, we will notify you of an ftp address where you may point your browser, or simply email you jpegs. All hard-copy images are shipped postage paid via First Class U.S. Mail.
 
Reproduction Rights and Limitations
There may be additional reproduction fees charged by curatorial units.   Please check at the time of research regarding the images you will be ordering or using.  Smithsonian Institution photographs may not be reproduced without specific written permission from the Institution.  Use of these photographs shall not be used to show or imply Smithsonian endorsement of any commercial product or enterprise, or indicate that the Institution concurs with the opinions expressed in, or confirms the accuracy of any text used with, these photographs.
 
Restrictions and Limitations
Copyrighted or otherwise restricted materials may require additional clearance before they can be released. If copyright is held outside the Institution it is your responsibility to obtain any necessary releases.
 
Curatorial Division Listing
The following is a select listing of Smithsonian Institution divisions that may have images housed in this photo archives.  People within these divisions may be able to assist you with image or object research, or obtaining negative numbers  For other divisions or general information, please call 202-633-1000.  Unless noted, all of the following numbers begin with a (202) prefix:

Agriculture and Natural Resources 633-3901
Air and Space 633-2320
Archives Center (American History) 633-3734
Armed Forces History 633-3910
Ceramics & Glass 633-3787
Coins/Money 633-3830
Community Life 633-3596
Computers 633-3806
Costumes 633-3780
Dinosaurs & Fossils 633-1317
Domestic Life 633-3794
Electricity & Modern Physics 633-3834
Engineering and Industry 633-3915
Fishes 633-1236
Graphic Arts 633-3804
Insects 633-1016
Mechanisms 633-3919
Medical Sciences 633-3411
Mineral Sciences 633-1793
Musical History 633-9323
National Anthropological Archives (301) 238-2873
Photographic History 633-3810
Physical Sciences 633-3421
Political History 633-3794
Smithsonian Institution Archives 633-5870
Stamps 633-9366
Textiles 633-3778
Transportation 633-3923


For information on other Smithsonian Divisions visit the Smithsonian Visitor Information Center web site.