Do I need permission to post pictures on my website?

Question

I am starting to dabble in photography on the side. I recently shot a wedding. If I make a website, can I put the wedding photos on there, or do I need something signed from the people in them? If I do need permission, can I get it from bride/groom, or do I need to hunt down every person in the photos.

Answer 1

Wow ... you started to dabble in photography by shooting a wedding? Are you INSANE!?!?



No, you don't need releases or anything of that nature for your own portfolio/website. you automatically own the copyright to the images and portfolio work isn't considered commercial use (at least in Canada and the US ... not sure about the rest of the world).



At a wedding there is no expectation of privacy ... it's a given that there WILL BE photos taken ... no one going to a wedding could reasonably (both logically and legally) have any expectations of privacy.



Same thing with photos in places where there is no expectation of privacy like on the street.



That being said, I've had clients ask that I don;t use their photos online. One of them, I agreed to (RCMP officer, they have a policy of trying and stay offline as much as possible).



If I can give you a bit of advice ... step away from weddings and any actual paid work until you've got all the business parts worked out (like knowing copyright laws and the likes ...) and until you've stopped "dabbling" unless you want to end up getting sued by an irate "client".



No contracts, no liability insurance, no backup gear, no decent gear ...

Answer 2

This is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.

At a wedding, even though ir occurs at a private venue, there is usually no expectation of privacy. Every guest knows there are dozens of cameras clicking away, including the hired professional, and a lot of these pictures will see some web time, if nowhere else, then on Facebook. As long as you are simply showing your pictures and not using them commercially or saying bad stuff about the people pictured you should be fine. If someone asked me to take down their photo, I would immediately oblige, even though I might not have to do so legally. I usually ask before posting pictures of minors, though. You don't need a model release unless you are selling the images.



Another muddy area is if you were not the event photographer, but are using them on your own photography website.



This question implies that you were the event photographer. In your contract it should state that you may use the images for self promotion and on your website or portfolio. But if I had a client object, I wouldn't use any pictures that were identifiable.

Answer 3

Go here for the best photography course: http://photography-course.info



You can be like the masses of humanity and buy a camera you can afford that has auto this and that for worry free picture taking. And learn through trial and error how to use something like aperture or shutter priority auto modes or even attempt to use the thing on full manual mode.

You seem to know already there is some thinking to using a camera and to take pictures. A good place to start is by reading the owners manual that comes with a camera. Read the information and look at the illustrations with part names and look at the real camera. Handle the camera and take pictures. Let me rephrase that. Take pictures to learn how to use the camera and maybe even to keep some. Don't start with important stuff you cannot photograph over again such as birthdays, a toddlers first steps. That puts picture taking out of the learning phase and puts the pressure and emphasis to taking pictures for real and to keep.

These first pictures are for you to learn how to use your camera. And you have learned how to use your camera when you can take pictures with it and can teach others how to use it. Honest. You can also go to a college in your area and take a beginning photography course. There you will be taught the basics even a pro must learn and do in their work. Camera handling and use, taking exposures with film and/or digital cameras, and maybe even some photo assignments to get some real time learning. In this learning do not take serious pictures you must keep as that detracts from the learning aspect of the class. Do so only if you have mastered the use of your camera before class is over.

It's like growing up in a way. And I am happy you know there is a way to learn how to use a camera and take pictures. It's like learning how to drive I suppose. Someone can teach you or you can get taught at a driving school. Both will get you a drivers liscense. One though will really teach you the fundamentals you can use for the rest of your driving career.

Answer 4

If you signed a contract that states that he can use those shots of you for his website, then he doesn't have to ask because you gave him permission by signing the contract. By 'selected photos' he must of meant the ones that he picks out. If you don't like the photos that he had put on the website, you should call him, or make an appointment were you can show him the pictures that you would like to be shown on the website.

Answer 5

If you are in the U.S. you can legally use photos you took on your website portfolio or your Facebook page without the permission of the subjects. You can also sell the photos for editorial purposes to blogs, newspapers, and magazines, without their permission.



In the U.S. you only need their permission for commercial (advertising) use that implies endorsement.





In the UK and Australia, you need permission from the clients for images that were commissioned for "private and domestic use" such as wedding photos and portraits, but that is only if the client paid you to take the photos.

Answer 6

No questions asked, the best site for Photoshop tutorials is: http://www.photoeditinglessons.com



All tutorials are in video format, which makes them easier for you to follow along with the instructor. The videos are interactive and very easy to follow, this will help you learn piano three times faster. Good Luck!

Answer 7

What I was taught in a college course (this was in 1976, so the laws may have changed) was that if a person could be identified you needed them to sign a model release form.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

you do need permission i am a photographer and im building a site and i got permission from the parents of the baby i shot