Copyright
In the main there are 4 types of relevant copyright issues relating to my work as a social or wedding photographer:
- Reproductive copyright
- Outright copyright
- Model rights
- Venue copyright
Copyright is a bit boring, but it is still important. Copyright is designed to protect the photographer, event organisers and the subjects
Please ensure you consider these four issues before any photographer you hire takes a photograph
Specifically for weddings:
As a matter of course, unusually I give the bride and groom reproductive copyright, which is signed over to them, for any images included in an album, DVD slide show, or any individual prints purchased by themselves. Normally the outright copyright remains with me (the photographer). I supply a CD or DVD containing the digital image files
Only the bride and groom (together) have the option to negotiate at any point for either the entire reproductive copyright (includes images not in an album), or the outright copyright
The actual fine details of any copyright is defined in writing in the contract that is signed before the wedding
For any other events:
Copyright is dealt with on an event-by-event basis; the event coordinators can purchase a reproductive copyright, or an outright copyright as required
The actual detail of any copyright is defined in the contract that is signed before the event. After the event, only the named event coordinator (or organisation) may negotiate with me regarding the copyright, regardless of the individuals that might be included in the images taken from the event
Reproductive copyright
The exact details will be defined in a written, signed contract, but broadly a reproductive copyright gives the bearer the right to have an image printed, in any way, for any private use that is not commercial
This would not give the bearer the right to sell the images to the press or a magazine for example, or have the images reproduced in any “paid for” document. Neither would it give the right of distribution of the images (on the internet or television for example)
This would however give the bearer the right to pass the image to an artist and have an oil painting made from the image, or print an image to use in a private album or hang on the wall etc.
Outright copyright
The exact details will be defined in a written, signed contract, but broadly an outright copyright gives the bearer the right to use the images, negatives, photographs or digital files in any way the bearer sees fit. Unless specifically negotiated, this remains with myself, the photographer. This may be re-negotiated after the event as required
Model rights
Weddings and events have many attendees, and as a photographer I have to use the working assumption that any images taken have the individual model rights signed over to me (in terms of both reproductive and outright copyright). This means that individual attendees at the event will need to negotiate with the event organiser (or bride and groom) who then negotiates with me (the photographer) if they require any additional model rights.
The bride and groom, or event organiser is responsible both letting attendees know there is a professional photographer present, and for letting me know of any individual in not to be photographed before I take a photograph
Named buildings with specific copyright issues
The London Eye (for example) is a structure, which cannot be photographed and reproduced without permission. I make the working assumption that any venue that I am asked to take photographs in has given the permission to the event organiser, and that the copyright for any images remains with me, unless otherwise negotiated
The bride and groom or event organiser is responsible for obtaining that permission (if required at all) before the photographer takes a photograph. If you are unsure – ask your church or venue if there are any specific issues in this area. Invariably there are no issues at all; sometimes there is an issue over a particular building or specific object
Prints
Prints sold online have exactly the same copyright stipulations on them as any other photographs taken by myself; they may not be scanned, reproduced, distributed or sold without my express permission
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Copyright (c) 2006 Beautiful Wedding Photography by Richard King, All rights reserved.
Material published by Beautiful Wedding Photography by Richard King on these web pages is subject to copyright.
Material from these web pages may not be reproduced without permission
