Understanding copyright and licensing is an important part of planning your photography project. Copyright means the photographer retains ownership of the images, while licensing grants clients specific rights to use the photos—whether for marketing, portfolios, or publications.
My packages include a standard set of usage rights tailored for professional and commercial needs. This ensures you have the flexibility to use the images effectively while maintaining clarity around their use. This structure ensures transparency and allows us to tailor the usage rights to meet your unique needs.
Copyright & Licensing FAQ
Who owns the Images?
Under Canadian copyright laws, as soon as the shutter clicks all photographs are owned by the photographer. When you commission a photographer to capture a project, you are paying for time, creativity and a set of licensing rights to use the images. Image licensing is when rights are purchased to use a photo and gain permission from the photographer to use it in a specific way. It is important to understand the terms of a photo license and be fully educated on what is being purchased.
Can the photographer sell images from my shoot to other parties?
Photographers benefit from the ability to re-license images as it provides an ongoing revenue stream without frequently raising client rates. This sustainable model allows photographers to continue producing high-quality work and maintaining fair pricing for clients over the long term. The photographer may license photographs to other businesses that had a hand in your project. This may be architects, designers, contractors, engineers or any project partners. If your business needs exclusive use of the images, this can be added to your licensing package.
Can I send images to other parties?
Third-party usage is not permitted unless licensed from the photographer. If you know prior to the shoot that you have interested third parties, you can take advantage of the cost sharing discount which is a win-win to get some great savings on the overall cost of the project. Otherwise, third parties must purchase their own license if they wish to use the photos from our shoot for marketing materials.
How can I use the images in my marketing?
I include a standard usage license with every shoot. This usage includes common uses for marketing your projects such as social media, website, industry competition entires, print collateral, proposals, Canadian print ads. This is a perpetual license that does not expire. Additional usage may require additional licensing and can be added anytime.
Copyright simplified!
Learn more about licensing and copyright in commercial photography. Video by Matthew Andersen