Really? You would give up the copyright for your images. You would give up all the work PPA and a lot of professional photographer fight for you to keep? Really!?
No, you do not want to give up your copyright, sell your copyright, in exchange for your copyright etc. No.
Why?
First, if you let someone else take the rights to the images you created, you can no longer use those images or claim them as your own. Pretty straight forward and in simple terms, although, I'm sure it's a lot more complicated than that.
So, you are doing it the easy way cause that makes you more money and everyone wants the digital files....I so get it. You just gave away 40 images fully retouched and a 2 hour sessions with a 4 year old and her 2 year old brother. They were cute and acted their age. It was a successful shoot. You gave mom the CD with the images and a paper saying she could take them anywhere to have them printed. Or you told her she had full copyright, she now owns the images.
First, what did you make off this? You know, how much money did you make....got back to the very first blog, I'll wait.
So, you charged Mom $199 for all those files and images. You made $199, before you paid your overhead. Oh, no overhead? Your husband pays for all that? Ok then.
You will never make another dime off those files. You don't own them anymore. You can't use them for advertising, the model release (did you get one of those?) says they are your's to use for advertising, but not if you gave away the copyright!
Now Mom, on the other hand, has it made. She can enter that image in any contest, send it to any card company, have billboards made up of it to promote her new photography business, er, um, her new hair accessory business. She owns the rights to those images! She can make 1000's off them. You made, how much?
Worse than this is when someone says, you take these high profile pics and we will pay you, $20/hour and you will get "exposure". Oh, you have to give us the rights to the images. This one just makes my blood boil! You will never ever get your name out there or get exposure doing this. At least not in a good way. You will always be known as the photographer who will do it for nothing. You be pulling your hair out and stomping around going "why!?"
"But Kelly, what if someone offered me a lot of money for the copyright?" Well, your definition of "a lot of money" and mine are very different. What is a "lot of money"? I have a mortgage I'd like paid off, but I'm sure a business or even a talented individual could make a lot more off my image than the mortgage of my house. Did I mention, because I will now, I never ever sell my copyright, ever!
But, you said you sell digital files. Yes, I do. I sell digital files of the images my client purchased of prints. I will give them a digital file if they spend "a lot" of money with me....like $2000 or more. I will give clients a digital file of every image you purchased as a print in that case. But, they will not get the copyright. Instead, they will get a print release. It will let them take those files anywhere and have them printed up to an 8x12. Or in the case of a big print order, they will get a full resolution file, printable billboard size.
Here's the catch, they cannot alter the images in anyway or make money off them in anyway, or claim them as their own work. Why? Because I own the copyright. I'm here to create a lifelong beautiful keepsake of each family for their home and future generations, whether an album or wall print. I am not here so someone can make a living or mock the art I created with my experience, talent and education. Commercial photography is a little different, but I can address that too. However, I never ever give up my copyright. Ever!
So, what am I saying to you fellow photographers? Respect the industry, the art and yourself. While it's mostly learn as you go, there are those out there who have lessons we need to learn from, Annie Leibovitz is a good one.
Wait, look, 2 blogs in 1 week. It's early in the day, and I'm emptying my brain before I get my day going...helps me focus better.
Coming up...Model release, Commercial Photograpy, and the difference between professional and "I got a new camera" photographers, with photos.
Enjoy your week.
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