Happy Monday all! Over the weekend something interesting was
brought to my attention concerning using the flag for photography purposes. I have seen the photographs with it used as a background, or with a baby wrapped in it, and even for boudoir with the lady wearing nothing but the flag. Of
course being a military spouse and a proud American, I have always admired the
photos that were patriotic, but never really took the time to think about the
way the flag is suppose to be used and what the "Flag Code" states is
appropriate. I was inspired to “spread the word” about what I discovered. Here are a just a few details to keep in mind.
1)
No disrespect should be shown to the flag. Publicly
mutilating, trampling, defacing, defiling, defying or casting contempt, either
by words or by act, upon the flag is never tolerable.
2)
The flag represents a living country and is
itself considered a living thing.
3)
A flag is a flag or anything by which the
average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to
represent the flag.
4)
The flag is never to be used for advertising
purposes.
5)
The flag should never have placed upon it, nor
any part of it, nor attached it to any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure,
design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
6)
The flag should never be used as wearing
apparel.
7)
The flag should never touch anything beneath it,
including the ground.
Also, I think it important to note “the Flag Code serves as
a guide to be followed on a purely voluntary basis to insure proper respect for
the flag. The Supreme Court has ruled that politically motivated violations of
the Flag Code are protected by the First Amendment. The Flag Code has no
provision for enforcement. No fines, no penalties. There is nothing law
enforcement can do when the Flag Code is broken.” (www.ushistory.org).
Keep in mind that in no way I am giving legal advice but
rather reaffirming what the flag code states, as there has been debate about
what is acceptable use in our industry. Talk to your lawyer before you do
anything and cover all of your bases.
Basically, what
I have taken all of this to mean is that by using the flag as a photography
prop or background, there is always a chance that you may somehow offend
someone. You also may offend someone by posing a baby in its birthday suit,
taking a shot of a kissing couple, or doing boudoir photography. You will never
make EVERYONE happy. The flag represents this fantastic country we live in…use
it respectfully and you should be just fine.
