New Here, Help with Copyright Info!

[scollins86]

Hi Everyone, I found you guys while searching for copyright info. I thought I would join in and see if you can all help me out.

I am just a photographer and graphic designer for a hobby, I only work for friends. Recently a friend of mine asked me to design a banner for her. One of the pictures she wanted to use was from a professional taken last Summer. She has both an emailed copy and a print of this picture.

I emailed the photographer to let him know what I was doing and to see if he wanted to get photo credit on the banner.

He proceeded to tell me the following:

Normally when I do a photo shoot for a client I quote the cost of using the images for advertisement and product promotion. When I did the photos at Heidi's it was strictly for printing images for the riders or for web use (i.e. emailing friends or posting on Facebook). I am not opposed to selling unlimited copyright usage of my images for product licensing but I would require additional compensation other than having photo credit mentioned. Photo credit is fine for an ad that is printed promoting a horse that I photographed but I may not want my business seen as endorsing a product that I don't use or have any knowledge of.

Basically what I charge is $300.00 (per image) for unlimited rights and usage. I would also provide the image in high resolution, either electronically, or on a CD.

Can he really specify WHAT the photos are to be used for and charge me $300 to use the photo of my friend on her banner???

Thank you so much for your help!

Steph

[BuddhaPi]

yup, he owns the image not your friend..

[graciousness]

That photographer's email is pretty clear on his terms of charges and use on his photos/images. There is much to learn on what he has advised and esp you are a photographer and graphic designer (regardless whether you are professional or not), you need to be well-informed on the rules on copyright and Intellectual Property materials.

I believe that his terms are quite fair (anyone else who is has better knowledge and experience please advise if I am wrong). You can expect many more such charges and limitations from photographers with your graphic design projects and should be taken into consideration when discussing budgets and charges with all your clients.

[freybear3]

yeah, the photographer has full rights to the photo. If your friend wants to use it, she will have to agree on the terms. If she don't she could face a lawsuit.

[oldwolf]

The photographer is actually being really generous as far as how much he's charging for unlimited rights and usage.

[freybear3]

I was thinking the same thing



P.S. Hi Wolf

Originally Posted by oldwolf

The photographer is actually being really generous as far as how much he's charging for unlimited rights and usage.

[andyw]

Originally Posted by scollins86

Basically what I charge is $300.00 (per image) for unlimited rights and usage. I would also provide the image in high resolution, either electronically, or on a CD.[/I]

Can he really specify WHAT the photos are to be used for and charge me $300 to use the photo of my friend on her banner???

Thank you so much for your help!

Steph

In answer to your question - YES he can - he is the copyright owner.

That was actually a very polite and correct mail you got from him and 300 for unlimited rights and usage is a VERY good price.

[scollins86]

Thanks everyone, I do have alot to learn and copyrights I have no idea about! I don't charge money for any of the projects I do, usually all of the pictures I use for projects are strictly mine just so I avoid this particular problem. I'm so glad I emailed the guy before going ahead with it... certainly don't want to inadvertently get myself mixed up in a copyright lawsuit!

Again, thanks for the advice and comments

[theosus]

Originally Posted by scollins86

Thanks everyone, I do have alot to learn and copyrights I have no idea about! I don't charge money for any of the projects I do, usually all of the pictures I use for projects are strictly mine just so I avoid this particular problem. I'm so glad I emailed the guy before going ahead with it... certainly don't want to inadvertently get myself mixed up in a copyright lawsuit!

Again, thanks for the advice and comments

Check out istockphoto or any of the other stock photo sites. You can probably find what you want much cheaper than having something custom shot (woman in a nice dress on the beach or flowers or a bird on a fence, etc.) instead of $300, you might pay $10.
It's worth a look.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

The photographer is actually being really generous as far as how much he's charging for unlimited rights and usage.

The photographer is right and you got off cheaply.