Government Website Sources for Public Domain Images

You can find images and photos that are free for you to use at sites like Wikimedia Commons and Morgue File. My personal favorite when I am looking for images to accompany my Associated Content articles is SXC. The United States Government has images and graphics that are in the public domain and may be used without permission or fee. As you visit each site, you should read the disclaimers and usage policies. Some photos may be protected by license even though they are on a Federal Government website.

Military Websites - When you think about the military, your first thoughts probably aren't that they would have images you would want to use unless you are specifically talking about the military. Upon visiting their websites, I found numerous photos that pertained to current events like the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, natural disasters like Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina, 9-11 remembrances, and about holidays and observations like Earth Day. I think you will be surprised at the scope of photos you can find at these sites. Military websites include those for the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Defense Department, Defense Visual Information, Marines, National Guard, Navy and the State Department. (Links found at the end of the article.)

General Government - Websites of Government agencies like the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the White House also have a wealth of expected as well as unexpected subjects in photos. If you are looking for photos of President Obama, the First Lady or events like the White House Easter Egg Roll; then these are some good ones for you. I even found a photo of American Idol winner, David Cook, among the offerings at the GPO site.

Money And Taxes - For subject matter like taxes, money, currency, small business, the market and other related money and tax items; you should visit the websites of the Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Mint. I have personally used the U.S. Mint website before to find photos of recently released coins.

Public Safety And Law - Websites for federal law enforcement agencies also offer public domain images. Photos found here included those pertaining to Haiti Earthquake Relief, World Trade Center and other breaking news. These websites include Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Secret Service. (Links found at the end of the article.)

Resources
Associated Content - Even More Government Website Sources For Public Domain Images

Wikimedia Commons

SXC

Morgue File

Air Force

Army

Coast Guard

Defense Department

Defense Visual information

Marines

National Guard

Navy

State Department

Government Printing Office

White House

Department of the Treasury

U.S. Mint

Customs and Border Protection

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Homeland Security

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Secret Service

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