03/06/2025
“I paid for the photos, so I can do whatever I want with them!”
Reality: Usage rights are like renting a car. You can drive it, but you can’t sell it or use it as a taxi without permission.
When you pay for a photo shoot, you typically get:
- The right to use photos for agreed-upon purposes
- Use within defined geographic areas
- Usage for a specific duration
But (surprise!) you usually CAN’T:
- Use them for purposes beyond the original agreement.
- Sell the photos to other businesses.
- Claim them as your own work.
“But I paid good money for these photos!”
True, but remember:
You’re paying for a service and a product, not the entire creative universe behind it.
So before the shoot, don’t forget to discuss:
- How do you plan to use the images?
- For how long do you need them?
- Where you’ll be using them (Print? Social media? Billboard in Times Square?) …continued in comments
