Here is the problem- once you let digital files out of your control you can kiss your copyright goodbye. Sure, you still own the copyright, but enforcing it against any infringement by the public is impossible from a practical standpoint. If General Motors used an image, that would be worth pursuing, but even then, unless you registered the image with the government, getting a lawyer to take the case would be futile.

Do you have in your contract that the bride will not share/sell/transfer the images to a third party?

We have to rely on people following the rules and if they don't. Well....they don't. You need to charge enough for any digital file that you don't care what they do with it. It is just the way it is.

Regardless, I am a bit ticked off. If I went to the trouble to mark them with a signature, it should be very obvious that I don't want her to turn right around and remove that signature. You are right, though, about me not making myself clear. I thought since she is a friend that I wouldn't have this issue. As for getting an attorney, I'm not that upset. I took for her and her husband. The rest will be posted to my own site first, then she can post and I will definitely be telling her I do not want my signature removed from the photos.

And, yes, I will be coming up with a contract prior to any more photo shoots. But I will be starting the business. I have successfully run a business for many years. It just wasn't photography-related.

After I posted here, I discussed this issue with my husband and told him I am a bit ticked, but mostly glad it happened now so I know what not to do in the future. You see, I do learn from my mistakes.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Lou Ellen

Personally, I don't think you have any reason to be "ticked-off". You gave her permission to post your pics on FB. If you expected more, then you should have outlined it more clearly. Tell her she can only post if your full name is clearly visible somewhere. If you told her this, then ask her why she didn't, then ask her to remove them from FB and tell her she cannot use them again. You don't need a watermark to enforce copyright; you just need a good lawyer.

To me, it doesn't sound like you are quite ready to go into business. You might have the photography skills, but there is a huge part of owning your own business that is not easily learned. Use this as a learning experience. Take your emotion out of things next time. Clearly write down your expectations and have your clients sign that they understand them. Good luck.

I am in the process of trying to start a photography business. I've taken several classes over the past year, invested a good amount of money into this endeavor, and have seen my skills improve dramatically.

So.... I offered to take my granddaughter's senior pics free of charge. That went really well. Then I offered to take some maternity shots for someone (also free of charge). I did this to get some practice.

Here's what has me a wee bit ticked: I sent a preview of about 6 photos to the pregnant woman. She loved them and thanked me profusely. That's great! Then, she asked if she could share them on Facebook. Of course! (You know, I can use the recognition). So.... she combined 3 or 4 shots into one 'frame' and COMPLETELY REMOVED MY SIGNATURE! She did mention me in the post, but only by first name, and thanked me.

Am I being a little too sensitive here? I don't mind her sharing the photos. Not at all. I just don't like the fact that she took the liberty of removing my signature and cropping the photos to fit her frame.

I think I will be watermarking all future Facebook postings. But in the meantime, I am a bit ticked.

Lou Ellen

Here is the problem- once you let digital files out of your control you can kiss your copyright goodbye. Sure, you still own the copyright, but enforcing it against any infringement by the public is impossible from a practical standpoint. If General Motors used an image, that would be worth pursuing, but even then, unless you registered the image with the government, getting a lawyer to take the case would be futile.

Do you have in your contract that the bride will not share/sell/transfer the images to a third party?


We have to rely on people following the rules and if they don't. Well....they don't. You need to charge enough for any digital file that you don't care what they do with it. It is just the way it is.

Let it go. Sounds like you learned from the mistake.

As for copyright, the law was changed in the late 70's/ early 80's. Anything you take is copyrighted. You don't have to file a copyright. If you have a very special image such as: Mt St. Hellens erupting, plane flying into the two towers, etc., it is better to have those copyrighted by the the government. Just gives you more solid ground to stand on.

As was said before, unless it is a company obtaining monetary gain from the image, it isn't worth the trouble.