Personal photography websites

[Nicks Pics]

Many photographers probably have their own websites where they display and promote their work.

For those of you who do have one, and offer prints or license your work, do you make your website a registered business? Also, how do you make your licensing legal? Do you just write up your own license? Or get one written up some other way?

Thanks for any shared experience on this matter

Using this section as it is designated "and all other photography" unless there is a better place for it.

[Mike Buckley]

It would be helpful if your profile included at least your first name, and more importantly, where you reside so both are displayed on the left side of your posts. That's because the laws of the country will largely affect the answers you receive. As an example, the laws of the U.S., where I reside, might be different than the laws of your country if you don't live in the U.S.

[Nicks Pics]

Thanks for your comments on my post Mike,
If you look now my profile includes my location,
and my name is Nick.

[Mark von Kanel]

As i understand it Nick and im waiting to be told otherwise! i wouldnt worry about it. Those that would steal your work wont be the sort of peeps worth perusing legally and those that are worth sewing wont steal it! you are protected under copyright law of your country from what ive read.

My website is just a plaything really and ive done it just to get the feel of websites, its only a template site and doesnt do what i want so ill have a "proper" one done but as i do make a little cash from photography the business is official for tax purposes and i would be concerned that you should do the same.

[Mike Buckley]

Nick,

My experience: Like you, I'm subject to the laws of America. I wrote and sold an eBook for about two years. I am currently offering the sale of my photos at a website, though I am not promoting it and fully expect not to make any sales. Until recently, my wife also had a side business for decades providing singing services mostly to local organizations and individuals.

My understanding, though I have no professional expertise in these matters, is that you need no business license for similarly small endeavors, though it would behoove you to confirm that that is also true in Michigan. You can report the related income and expenses as a sole proprietorship on Schedule C of your personal federal income tax return and its bottom line is then added to your Form 1040 document. If Michigan state income taxes work in the same manner as in Virginia, certain information in your federal income tax return will be included in your state income tax return. I do encourage you to purchase personal liability insurance, as it is relatively inexpensive and will be very helpful in the very unlikely but potentially devastating chance that you would otherwise have a need to file a claim.

Once you get used to using CiC, you'll realize that ideally this thread would be posted in the Community Lounge forum. The Photo Commentary and Competition boards are used to review and discuss photos. If one of the moderators notices this thread, he might or might not move it; these things are taken rather casually here so as not to get in the way of the really important stuff, which is that all of us come here to learn.

Hope this helps!

[Nicks Pics]

Thanks for your thoughts folks.

Those will give me some leaders for further research. My sister is a web designer so that's convenient for me.

I don't think I'll probably be worrying about people swiping my work. There's not much you can reasonably do about it on the web.

Does anyone know how you can get effective licensing forms to provide potential customers? I don't care to use those annoying 4 page license agreement documents you get sometimes, but maybe just a short and simple royalty free license. Do you have a lawyer write you one? Or are other other options?

Thanks again for your input.

I don't mind if this thread gets moved.

[Mark von Kanel]

Nick Why do you need a license form? What exactly is your concern?

[Nicks Pics]

Oh, I think I get what your'e saying. I had just never thought of selling photos without a license. It's an idea.

[Mark von Kanel]

Nick i think copyright law is similar in the US as the UK and that unless you specifically give it away for an image the copyright remains with you. Giving someone a print doesnt allow them to copy it (i dont think) and if i allow someone to use my image anywhere else i just put in an email that they can use the image for a specific named purpose and thats it. Most of the time i dont bother with that either. Why bother with paperwork if your not going to take legal action against someone using your work? Like i said above those worth suing wont copy it anyway, its easier to just buy it.

So actually when you sell a picture you are using a licence of sorts, that of general copyright.

Maybe some of the pro shooters could chip in on this?

[Nicks Pics]

It may be a good point that if you aren't going to persue anyone about swiping your photos you don't need to bother with licensing in the first place; however, some companies or agencies may not feel comfortable using your photos as stock photos unless they were licensed, for their own protection.

Don't know what most photographers do about this on their websites though?

[Mark von Kanel]

Dont those sort of companies have their own contract that they want you to agree with? i understand that the stock photo companies handle licensing for you. but again i could be wrong i think its highly unlikly that they would allow togs to use individual contracts, it would be a logistical nightmare!