Photography usage in the digital age has, unfortunately, been a big problem. Stealing content is not ok – ever! Knowing the rules and etiquette surrounding using work that is not your own is an important part of being an ethical and responsible business owner or creative professional. I’ve written this post as a quick guide to help you avoid making hurtful and costly mistakes with photo usage.
CREATOR RULES
The photographer who produced the original image likely owns it, and is therefore entitled to decide how it’s used. When contacting the original creator, it’s polite to describe how you plan to use the photo in question, so they have a better idea of whether or not it’s something for which they’d like to give permission.
The owner might ask you to pay them for your usage. They might also request that you give credit to them. Giving credit is not only courteous, but it’s often simple. If you aren’t sure, you can always ask the original creator how they would prefer to be credited.
STOCK SOLUTIONS
Stock photos can be a quick and easy photo solution. There are many online stock photo databases out there, and each has it’s own strengths and weaknesses. Photos you’ve paid for you can usually use however you’d like – just be sure to check the usage terms on the site you bought it from.
DIY
If the perfect photo isn’t out there, why not make it yourself? Photographs you produce you’re allowed to use however you’d like. This might not seem like the most convenient route, but it is one way to get exactly what you want out of your photos. Lucky for you, we’ve written some posts on how to take professional quality photos, and you can always subscribe to our newsletter for more in-depth tips. Feel the power!
BOOK A PROFESSIONAL PHOTO SHOOT
If stock photos don’t feel right, and the Do-It-Yourself method isn’t working out, there’s another way to guarantee you can use your photos freely: Hire a professional photographer to take the photos you want! You’ll be able to share your unique brand vision with your photographer, you’ll get high-quality photos, and you’ll often get a more authentic look than a stock photo can provide. Upswept has some options for photo shoot sessions, if you need help in that area.
Different photographers have different standards for how their clients use their photos, so you may want to check with them to find out what’s okay and what isn’t. But, as a general rule, you should have a lot of freedom to use this type of photo in your branding and marketing.
