If you are a photographer
and you are thinking about expanding your hobby into a business or if you are
an established professional, there a few things to consider as you promote and
expand your business.
As with other artists,
once you have taken a picture, you have a copyright. Your work does not have to
be registered with a government agency to be copyrighted. The advantages of
having your work registered with a governmental agency are:
·
Registration establishes a public record,
which is necessary if you initiate a lawsuit for infringement.
·
If you win your case, you may be entitled
to statutory damages and attorney’s fees.
If you decide to register
your photos, visit the website of the U.S. Copyright Office.
Model
Release
If you are using models
in your photos, remember to acquire the Model Release Form. A Model Release Form is a document stipulating
terms under which you can use pictures of the model. Generally, the model owns the rights to his
or her images. By signing the Model Release Form, the model relinquishes some
of those rights. The release allows you to use the photo for commercial
purposes. If the model is a minor, the release form must be signed by a parent
or guardian.
As a common rule, when
taking photos in a public area, a model release is not needed. However, keep in
mind that states vary on their privacy laws. It is best to always double check
the law in your particular state. When in doubt, get it in writing.
If you need more
information on legal forms for photographers, e-mail our staff at [email protected].
