When Your Images are NOT Yours

Whew! Are you as glad as I am to say goodbye to 2020? It’s 2021 and I’m excited for all the things that are happening at JSC Photography! Welcome to the brand-spanking new JSCP blog, where I’ll answer questions and we’ll talk about the greatest blockbuster movies of all time! Just kidding. I’m all about the photography! So, get something to drink and make yourself comfortable because today’s topic is a biggie - and many don’t even realize it!

We’ve never lived in a time with so many options and photography is no exception. Social media platforms like Instagram are fantastic sources for exploring options. There’s also a phone app or filter to suit everyone’s photography style. Want a dark and moody vibe? Just click. Want lots of contrast and drama? Just click. You like an old cinema matte finish? Just click! Good grief – there are some filters and apps that will make you look like someone completely different! Do you like a photo but it doesn’t pop for you? Add a filter and voila! It’s fun exploring the variety of editing options out there. I’m a huge fan of the Snapchat filters! They’re entertaining and one year I amused myself by creating a family tree using nothing but selfies and Snapchat filters! Apparently, it doesn’t take much to amuse me. Lol!

But what about when you hire a professional photographer? What if you REALLY like the photographer and the price is right but you don’t like their editing style, maybe you prefer a darker, desaturated color style of editing and your photographer edits in a light and airy style? No problem. When you get your images back from the photographer, just add a filter to get the look you like, right? Unfortunately, no. I cannot stress this enough and I wish I could shout it for those in the back, hire the photographer whose editing style you prefer because you CANNOT alter any images (digital or scanned photographs) you receive from your photographer.

WHAT?! IKR? I was shocked too when I learned this a few years ago. “Why can’t I edit the images I’ve paid for? They’re MY property!” Good question, my new friend. I’m sure there’s a lengthy, articulate, legal mumbo-jumbo explanation that goes into details but to avoid a long trip to Snoozeville, here’s a simple breakdown: A client pays for their images, and they own the images. However, a photographer is considered an artist and their photographs are their art. The rights of the photograph remain with the photographer, meaning that only the photographer can edit the images unless they give written permission for a client to alter them or they relinquish those rights in writing. Altering the images by adding a filter or text or editing or cropping is defacing the artwork, if you will.

“What’s the big deal? Everybody does it.” How many of us just heard our mom’s voice asking, ‘if your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?’ Lol! Here’s where we get a little deep…Because it’s become so easy to add a filter or edit in a phone app, many don’t realize how much time, sometimes years, it takes a photographer to develop and perfect an editing style – from the technical skills in taking the photograph, to the post processing skills to finalizing the product. There is a lot of education and training involved. Unlike the quick and easy phone edit, the photographer’s skill also translates better in large prints, wall art and other print products. Photographers become known for their editing style and it’s one of the things that attract future clients, which is why many prohibit altering images in their contracts. Besides being a copyright violation and possible breach of contract, altering images means they no longer reflect the photographer’s style and potential clients who would have preferred that style won’t consider them, believing the altered images is their style.

Of ALL the topics for my first blog, why did I choose this one??? Because covid-19 has affected everything, including the photography industry. You want images you’ll cherish. Photographers want happy clients. By starting your search with photographers whose work you LOVE (and won’t edit), in the end you are supporting a small business in the best way possible!

I hope you enjoyed the debut of the JSCP blog. If you have suggestions for an upcoming blog, ‘shoot’ me a message. I’d love to hear from you!!!

* Edited to note: All filters to the images of Faith, Class of 2021 Senior Ambassador, were added by me for example.