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Photograph Copy Services & Fees


Montana Historical Society Photograph Archives reference room, July 25, 1995. Doug O'Looney, photographer

Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Photograph Archives
Montana Historical Society
PO Box 201201
Helena, MT 59620-1201

Telephone: (406) 444-4739

Fax: (406) 444-5297

Email Address: photoarchives@mt.gov

Tax ID: #810302402(35)

Ordering Photographic Prints or Digital Images:

Photographic reproductions may be ordered through the Photograph Archives. A price list/order form and a reproduction fee schedule are available upon request from the staff. PDF copies of these forms are also available online. Your payment or purchase order with Tax ID number and a completed, signed, order form must accompany each request for copy prints or digital images.

  • Payment: Orders must be pre-paid, in U.S. funds, payable by cash, check, international money order, or major credit card.

  • Credit or Refunds: The Photograph Archives does not give credit or refunds on any of its photographic services.

  • Publication / Commercial Use: A permission application must be completed for publication and/or commercial use of an image. A fee is charged for each photograph that is used commercially. This fee may be paid at time of publication or commercial use. A credit line must be given and will be stamped on the back of the copy print or will be attached to the digital image.

  • One Use: Permission will be granted for one-time use only. Any subsequent use of a print or digital image requires the written permission of the Photograph Archives. All other rights, including those of further publication, are reserved in full by the Photograph Archives.

  • Delivery: Allow at least three (3) weeks for the delivery of reproductions of any format.

  • Rush Orders: Ten day turn around for any format - Double prices (example: 5x7" print is $30.00, 300 dpi @ 5x7" is $30.00).

  • Print Formats: All orders for copy prints will be printed on resin-coated (RC) paper unless fiber is requested.

  • Negatives: All copy negative are retained in the Photograph Archives.

  • Slides: 35mm color slides - a minimum order of five (5) slides is required.

  • Use Privileges: We reserve the right to refuse to provide photograph reproductions to publishers and individuals who have not complied with our policies.

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Copyright Restrictions:

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright that may apply to the use of photographic materials.

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

  • Photocopies or other reproductions can be furnished only under certain conditions, if they will be used solely for private study, scholarship, or research. Use of the reproductions for other purposes may make the user liable for copyright infringement.
  • The Montana Historical Society reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would violate copyright law.

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Fees for Photographic Prints or Digital Images:

Black & White, Resin-Coated Paper Prints
(specify glossy or matte finish):

  • 5x7" $15
  • 8x10" $20
  • 11x14" $30
  • 16x20" $75
  • 20x24" $100

Black & White, Exhibition-Quality Fiber Prints:

  • 5x7" $30
  • 8x10" $35
  • 11x14" $55
  • 16x20" $130
  • 20x24" $175

Color Slides & Transparencies:

  • 35mm color slides $7 each, minimum order of 5 slides
  • 35mm duplicate color slides $6
  • 4x5" color transparency $55

Order Form for Photographic Prints or Color Slides (PDF)

Digital Imaging Fees:

Specification:

  • 300 dpi @ 5x7" $15
  • 300 dpi @ 8x10" $20

File: JPEG or TIFF files

Specification:

  • 600 dpi @ 5x7" $20
  • 600 dpi @ 8x10" $25

File: TIFF files

Delivery Method: CD-R $5

  • All files are created using a flatbed scanner.
  • Allow at least three (3) weeks for the delivery of reproductions.
  • RUSH ORDERS: Ten-day turn around - double prices listed above.

Order Form for Digital Images of Photographs (PDF)

Shipping and Handling:

  • U.S. Mail $ 4
  • International orders $10

(All photographic reproduction and postage costs are to be paid at the time of ordering, in U.S. funds, payable by cash, check, international money order, or major credit card. Commercial reproduction use fees may be paid at the time of publication.)

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Reproduction Fees & Permission to Publish

Publication use applies to the use of a reproduction in print, film, video, or digital format. The fees are waived for use by officially recognized non-profit organizations and for use by the Montana news media in television newscasts or newspaper articles. The use fees listed below are assessed in addition to photo-duplication costs; payment of use fees may be delayed until publication.

All users purchasing photographic images for any reason other than personal use must submit an application for permission to use photographs. Requests for publication, reuse, or changes in use must be submitted in writing to the Photograph Archives Supervisor. For more information about reproduction policies please send your queries to photoarchives@mt.gov.

Books (For Profit):*

  • Under 5,000 print run $15 per photograph
  • 5,000 - 9,999 print run $20 per photograph
  • 10,000 - 49,999 print run $40 per photograph
  • 50,000 print run and over $85 per photograph

Periodicals/Serials (For Profit):*

  • Under 50,000 circulation $20 per photograph
  • 50,000 - 99,999 circulation $40 per photograph
  • Over 100,000 circulation $85 per photograph

*Fees are for one-time use, in one publication, in one language, and distribution only in North America or one country. Worldwide distribution for one-time use in one or more languages is double the prices listed above. The same fees apply to subsequent editions.

Advertising and Promotion

  • Local (Montana) $85 per photograph
  • Regional $110 per photograph
  • North American $160 per photograph
  • Worldwide $800 per photograph

Commercial Decorative Use or Display:

  • 8x10" and under $20 per photograph
  • 11x14" and over $40 per photograph
Commercial Films, Television, Videos, CD Rom, DVD, World Wide Web:**
  • Local $20 per photograph
  • North American $40 per photograph
  • Worldwide $50 per photograph

**Worldwide rights for all media in perpetuity are $100 per photograph.

Other Uses:
For any commercial use not specified above, fees will be negotiated.

Note: All users purchasing images for any reason other than personal use must submit a request for permission to use photographs.

Application for Permission to Publish (PDF)

Requests for publication, reuse, or changes in use must be submitted in writing to the Photograph Archives Supervisor. For information about reproduction policies and procedures please send your queries to photoarchives@mt.gov.

All photographs are the property of the Montana Historical Society Photograph Archives. Material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code).