The track has a corporate attorney, but our comptroller didn't think they would be very well versed in this department. :) I've raised the question to the feed company, and requested they get written permission for use of the photo, so we'll see what happens.
Thanks.

Thanks for the advice....not really worried about my interests since I'm representing the company and won't personally benefit from any transaction....just curious to hear from others how to handle the whole commercial deal.

You are right and I'm not pursuing this for my benefit, but as a go between for the track as I am a full time employee. (i've encountered the creative downside to artistic creations belonging to the employer while working in jewelry design. :).) The photos are the property of the race track so as the graphic artist also, I have freedom to use the photos however I want; I just was wondering if under such circumstances where it is a large commercial exposure, how much control the owners may retain on an image of their property.

I too, assumed that they would need to be involved in the and have their blessing. I've also thought that they should be the ones to pursue purchasing the rights of the photo and dealing directly with the commercial dealer for the packaging.

I'm the race track photographer for a horse racing track, shooting the photos for the win photos. The photos remain the property of the race track and often, for a fee, we provide photos for advertising purposes (mainly for promoting breeding farms in magazine advertising). I had a request however recently that I've never encountered nor dealt with before and am unsure how to proceed and hope someone can give me some help/advice in this area.

I had a request to provide/sell rights to a photo of a specific horse for their use in feed packaging. I'm aware that this could be a big deal, (or not :) ). My question I guess is, although the photo itself is the property of the race track, does the owner have some rights to the use of the photo for commercial use? And, does anyone have any experience dealing with commercial use such as a major produce packaging with putting a price on something like this. Where would one even start? It's still in the feeling out stage at this point, just want to have some idea of what I may be getting into before I get in too deep.

HELP!

I'd appreciate any advice I could can get.

Roberta Harris

Thank you very much....appreciate the kind words.

Thanks

Sounds like you are one of the ones that I don't mind having on my turf - no pun intended. lol The ones that inquire as to what is permisable and are courteous are a pleasure to work with.

An example happened when I accidentally interfered with a TVG photographer. Again is was on the biggest race day of the year and without talking to me about what they could or could not do, a camera was placed at the finish line....right in my line of sight for my shot. I kept waiting for someone to show so I could ask them to move the camera, when no one showed, I moved the camera out of my way. I didn't find out till the next year that it was set on remote and they caught all kinds of flack for a bad shot for television. This year they met with me to make sure everything went smoothly.

Thank you for your comment. Just happened to be at the right place at the right time.

Thanks, that is what it reminded me of too. May have to make it my personal totem.

Been there, done that! I'm a horse racing track photographer and I encounter the same problem. However, I also have to contend with out-of-town photographers coming in for just the big races to cover for publications. I shoot photos for every race every day....rain, shine, sleet, hail and wind. Then, on big race days I'm fighting to do my job amongst not only the public point and shoots, but the supposedly "professional" photographers that want to impose themselves in my "space". Most now have figured out by know however, that I won't allow the abuse of the privilege of access for photos. It's a daily struggle and makes my job that much harder to do.

Attached is a sample of what I'm talking about, you'll see some photographers to the right, which I had to crop out of the final shot. This was during a winner's circle shot for a $2 million quarter horse race. It was utter chaos.

sample

Recent photos from a Mexico trip...enjoy!

turkey buzzard


mexico sunrise

Nice! I don't have the luxury of using a tripod, I need to take multiple shots panning to make sure I get the winning horse at the wire. But I'll take any critiques and/or suggestions. Thanks!

I only rarely bet the horses, I like photographing them instead. I'm definitely going to be pushing the equipment to see what I can do with it on the off season. Thanks.