This is a quick post to inform dancers and the general public as to who owns copyright to photos once they are taken. As a dancer, and a professional photographer and I can say with 100% certainty photos belong to the photographer!! PERIOD!! This goes for all types of photography: fashion, portraits, weddings, ect. I take the photos, I own it. You are in it, Yes, but it does not make it yours to use freely. As a photographer, I can give you ‘rights’ to that image. I can allow you to use it how you like. As a dancer, if I purchase an image from another photographer, I might be allowed to use it on my website, blogs, facebook, business cards, fliers, and other promotional things. However I do not own it. It is the photographers. If I want to use it for publications, I need to get permission.
Please do not use photos without permission! When using photos online do not crop out a copyright and as a courtesy provide a link to the photographers website if possible. Alot of photographers’ business is word of mouth. Help them be successful!
Thanks!
**Photo by Paul Cory
