Wedding Photography Copyright Vs. Print Release - What’s The Difference?
While searching for a wedding photographer in Colorado, you will probably ask yourself some variation of this question: “Do I own the copyright to my wedding photos?” And it’s a valid question!
Of course, you want to make sure that you’re not going to be paying more AFTER the fact just to print your images. In this blog post, I’ll be defining some terms and clarifying the difference between copyright and print releases when it comes to your wedding photography.
Please note: this is how it works when you book your Colorado wedding photography with CM Photography. Though many others work this way as well, make sure to ask to see a contract template from your photographer so you can see what their specific terms are.
Copyright
Many people often misinterpret the meaning of having the ‘copyright’ of an image. By definition, the person/artist/creative who created the piece of art owns the copyright. The art belongs to them. Copyright laws are in place to protect your work in case others decide they want to steal your work and call it their own. Scum bags!
It’s not common for a photographer to release the actual copyright of their images. This would prevent them from being able to use the images for promotoinal purposes, such as posting on social media or even including in their online portfolio. This along with many other forms of promotion are vital to running a wedding photography business. Granting somebody the copyright to an image means the original creator of that photo has no rights whatsoever to their work.
Now, what people USUALLY mean when they ask about copyright actually falls under a print release, or sometimes referred to as personal use release. I’ll define that next.
Print Release
A print release essentially grants permission to use the images that a photographer takes. These permissions may include unlimited personal use, like posting to social media whenever/however you’d like, or printing rights, meaning you have full permission to print the images on your own. Note here: some photographers will charge you to print your photos at all, OR only allow you to print up to a specific size (usually 8x10). Again, I must stress that it’s important to fully understand your permissions with your wedding photos when choosing a photographer.
Most print releases will also state that you DO NOT have permission to alter or edit the image in any way, which includes editing them yourself or applying filters to them. You are putting your trust in your photographer, and your images are delivered exactly as the photographer intends them to be viewed/printed. You also do not have permission to use your photos for financial gain. So, if a publication comes to you and asks if they can use your photo in a magazine or online blog, you must consult with the photographer before proceeding.
It’s also worth noting that when you book with CM Photography, we offer high-quality print products, such as beautiful canvases and lush wedding albums. This saves a lot of time and hassle on your end because it’s just a few clicks directly from within your gallery to order products! However, we also grant you permission to print the images on your own.
Conclusion | Wedding Photography Copyright
So, be sure to ask your potential wedding photographer how they handle copyright/print release. I’ve never had any pushback after explaining the difference between these two terms, which is awesome! It’s a win-win for you AND the photographer. Now, onward! You are leaps ahead of most couples now after reading this blog, and you’ve armed yourself with the information needed to understand how to proceed. Good on you!