How DO I.....

[littlethunder]

I seen this happen to a local professional photographer several years ago and now it happened to me. What can I do to protect the shots I take and keep others from taking credit for the work?

Several years ago I did a photo shoot for a "friend" I was to get back the negitaves or a copy of the CD. This never transpired. Instead they went about showing off the work I did and taking credit for the work.

How can I keep this from happing again?
I don't even keep a photo album laying around any more becasue of this. Instead al my materiel is on a CD and locked in a safe.

[OsmosisStudios]

Have better friends.

Have a contract. If the other person breaks the contract, sue. Unfortunately it has come to that.

[RexK_Cozumel]

why would you give your friend the negatives???

[dcclark]

Do a search of the forum -- there's been a lot of advice about this, especially in recent weeks. The general consensus seems to be:

1. Get a contract,
2. Don't give out originals (negatives, in film terms, or full-sized images, in digital terms)
3. Watermark and use small versions online, or in sample CDs,
4. Talk directly to anyone causing you trouble. Be nice but firm.