BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Tips on Beginner Photography

Photography Question 

Erik Rasmussen
 

Copyright Question


I was recently in Vermont and was able to make the NCAA National Championship cross country skiing event, and got some close ups of some of the athletes. I was wanting to send them to the school to give to the athlete, but wasn't looking to make money on it, more just to get my name out there and give the picture to the athlete. Do I need to worry about a copyright for that? And, as far as getting my name out there, is it best recommended to have a business name to give?


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March 13, 2005

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  no problem with that.


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March 13, 2005

 

Tony Sweet
  Give the picture with a business card. Also, having a Web site is essential to doing business.


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March 14, 2005

 

Mike Carlson
  Greetings,

Not to sound negative, but by sending a 'free' picture you may actually be hurting yourself. I know you want to get your name out there - we all do - but consider what happens when a free picture makes its way into the hands of an athletic department. If they have people willing to do it for free, why should they pay well a person who does this for a living (which is what I assume you want to do by getting your name out there...?).

Undercutting each other as photographers makes it more difficult for all of us to make the money we deserve. Think of this as a general business model - how effective is it to give out your best 'stuff'? Rather than give it away (which, to the school also may imply that you are giving them the rights to the photograph) perhaps post these shots on a website indicating your willingness to reproduce shots like these or to cover a future event for them...for the right price.

I hope that doesn't sound too negative, and congratulations on getting out there an being proactive.

Cheers


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March 15, 2005

 

Erik Rasmussen
  Doesnt sound negative at all, thats what im looking for and why I posted it on here. The main purpose of it was to give it to the school to give to the athlete. As an avid req hockey player, I would love to get pictures of myself in action, so I was looking at it more as a gift to the athlete since I had the pictures.

I didnt think about selling it only because I didnt think they would purchase it which was why I was asking about copyrighting the picture and for it not to be used by the school, but given to the athlete. I definately want to do it for a living but am having to learn things as I go. There's some workshops i'd like to take, but money is obviously the issue. But thanks for the response, thats the info im looking for.


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March 15, 2005

 

Mark Feldstein
  Greetings Erik: The reason you copyright your work is to protect it from being used without your permission and potentially, without compensating you for use of the image. So, while it's fine to give copies of prints, you should still place your copyright notice on each copy. Under the amendments to the Copyright Act of 1976, your work is automatically protected when you create it (click the shutter). However, to bring any action for infringement, the work needs to be registered with the Copyright office.
For the whole scoop on that, take a look at http://www.copyright.gov/

Let's say your work somehow ends up at the NCAA and they're looking for a hot shot of some player to give to Nike Corp to use in an ad. Without giving them notice of your copyright, you may be foregoing compensation that you'd be entitled to for commercial use of the images you're giving away. You can register images by submitting them in bulk, say quarterly, for a single fee.

Take it light. Mark


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March 20, 2005

 
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