Rights and Permissions

It’s easy to find pictures; it’s harder to know how to use them legally. Whether you create content or plan to use someone else’s, let us protect you. We’ve researched and cleared rights on hundreds of thousands of images, film clips, audio files, and pieces of text. We’re on top of trends in copyright law; we’ll make sure your work complies.

We’ve licensed tens of thousands of photos, reference images, and works of art for U.S. postage stamps.

In 2002, we tracked down more than a thousand rare pictures, documents, and drawings so the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., could open its doors. Thanks to our work, the museum can easily issue new books, update its website, and create specialized exhibitions for years to come.

At the request of the U.S. Department of State, we helped the Bureau of Consular Affairs complete the booklet for the “e-passport,” the U.S. Electronic Passport. We researched visuals from colonial times to the present, documented famous quotations, verified and licensed hundreds of images used as the basis for engravings, and negotiated with rights holders—all to put a proud face on our nation.

“I’m very happy with the support I have received from PhotoAssist. They allow me to concentrate on taking photos and not be burdened with following up on model releases, property rights, and research. They’re a dream come true.”
Sally Andersen-Bruce, photographer for numerous U.S. postage stamps, including Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet

Other clients we’ve helped:

  • PicScout
  • Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture
  • U.S. Postal Service
  • Time Life Books
  • The Washington Post Magazine