BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Photography Careers and Making Money

Credit and copyrights for Christmas cards

In addition she told me that they wouldn't pay me in cash, but would give me some gift cards for the use of my photo. The money really isn't that big an issue for me at this point since I'm still trying to establish my name. But I am concerned about protecting the misuse of my image. Do I need to register it with the copyright office? Am I giving up the protection of my image if I allow it to be used on something that will be sent to thousands of people?

Thanks!
Janelle

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November 28, 2007

Ask your manager if the company you work for is up to giving away its marketing products and research services for the holidays, just because people like their work. When she says no, tell her neither are you.

The place for your name and copyright logo are on the back of the card itself in a reasonably legible type size. Every card. All of the cards. Not in a disconnected newsletter. The right protection on each card notifies every recipient that it's copyrighted. That's all you need for protection.
http://www.copyright.gov. You want form VA (visual arts) plus instructions. Without that copyright protection you ARE essentially giving up your rights to determine who uses your work and when and for how much later on.

As far as fees...those are always negotiable. And if you start treating BOTH dollars AND establishing your reputation as the same level of the priority chain rather than different issues, you'll be much better off and starting to think more like a professional.
Take it light.
Mark

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November 28, 2007