Myths about copyright of images

When someone enquires about Wedding Photography, we get asked often “Can we have a copy of the images with the copyright?”

The answer is “yes” – to the digital copy of the images.    But “no” to the copyright. 

Here’s why….

The vast majority of professional photographers will never give the copyright with the images.  Under the Design and Patents Act 1988, the photographer owns the copyright from the moment the image is created.  

But don’t let this worry you too much.  Most photographers (and ColourStone Photography included) will provide you with a licence which allows you to print the images for personal use.

So why does the copyright remain with the photographer?  Well, imagine a marketing company is looking for a particular wedding shot, with particular lighting and background, and a specific “look” about the bride and groom – and your photographer has just taken that very photograph of you at your wedding.  The marketing company may offer a large sum of money for that very image.  Professional photographers earn their living by taking good photographs.  They have learned their art through hours and hours of training and practice.  When you hire a photographer, you pay for their creativity, their understanding of light and form and their ability to capture emotion. 

That marketing company needs to pay the photographer for that perfect image they have been looking for, if they want it.

So what about social media sites?  Your photographer has given you a DVD of images for printing for personal use.  You can upload them to Facebook too right?

Well, actually strictly speaking no – unless the licence you have been given specifies this.   Whilst most photographers do not currently get too stressed about this – although they really should - Facebook’s rules state that by uploading an image to Facebook the user allows Facebook to use that image in any way they wish.  So, your images could end up on sites you really don’t want them to, they can be altered, cropped and distributed freely and you will have no rights when you ask them not to.   Imagine your son or daughter’s image suddenly appearing on a Facebook advertisement without your permission. 

So, what do we do to ensure you can use your images in a safe way and get the prints you want?

With our wedding packages you may receive two sets of your wedding images.  One set, suitable for uploading to social media sites such as Facebook, will include a light watermark with the copyright information shown.  See this Facebook cover image for an example.  

The second set will be suitable for printing and will not include the watermark.  You will be given a licence stating you can use the watermarked images on social media sites and the un-watermarked images for printing, for personal use.

So, when booking your wedding photographer remember …

1.     If you are using a professional photographer, the copyright will almost always remain with the photographer.  If your photographer tells you that you will get the copyright with the images, then ask them for a signed contract at the time of booking.  The only way you will receive the copyright is if your photographer gives you a signed contract assigning the copyright to yourself – and most will not do this as they are possibly signing away their earning potential, and of course they need to know their work is being shown in a professional manner.

2. When choosing a wedding photographer, ask what licence they offer, rather than the copyright.   Check that you can print the images and also use them on social media sites.

Traditional, reportage or contemporary wedding photography?

Traditional, reportage or contemporary wedding photography?   Do you really know what style you want?

Everyone’s heard the phrases, but do you really know what’s involved on your wedding day to get those images you dream of?

Here, we look at three of the most talked about photography styles and tell you the things the wedding magazines don’t.

Traditional wedding photography

Traditional wedding photographs are those which you will find in your parents’ wedding album, with family groups including aunts, uncles, cousins, 2^nd cousins, 3^rd cousins …..   you get the idea.  These images will require input from your photographer and willing guests!  Ian will take some traditional images which your grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles will love – but he will also make sure these are a mix of formal poses and more relaxed images – so they won’t quite be the structured images your parents have.

It’s a good idea to let your guests know that they will be asked to join in for half an hour or so – we always try and get the group shots done first, so your guests can then go and relax and chat once we are finished, leaving you newlyweds to spend some time with Ian.

 

Reportage (photojournalistic) photography

Some Brides and Grooms are now requesting reportage photography – most of the time because they have read the wedding magazines and seen the latest informal, relaxed, beautiful photojournalistic images.    

However, what they don’t realise is many of these images are not true “off the cuff” images – we wish it were that simple!  Quite often the photographer has a lot more input into these images that you imagine.  Photographers who cover weddings in a true reportage or photojournalist style have vast experience and great skill.   Ian will always take some reportage style photographs during the day as this will ensure your whole day’s story can unfold in your Wedding Album.

 

 

Contemporary (fashion) photography

Especially for the Bride and Groom, this style of photography requires extensive input from the photographer, possibly with lighting and other accessories being required, all of which involves time.  Ian can offer this as part of your wedding package, but you must be prepared to set aside extra time away from your guests for these images.  The results are worth it!

Wedding Traditions - Something old, something new ....

We've seen a bit of a trend over the last year of two, with some Wedding Traditions changing.

We thought we'd write a short article on how some Bride and Grooms are changing some traditions to suit their Big Day.

Arrival at The Ceremony

Traditionally, in Britain the Bride has always stood to the right of her father, (or other relative giving her away), whilst walking up the aisle, with the bridesmaids and/or pageboys a few paces behind.   However, some Brides are now choosing to let the bridesmaids and pageboys lead her to her Groom, as they usually do in America.  After all, you should keep the best until last!

It's also becoming more acceptable for the Groom to turn around and look at his Bride as she walks towards him.  A nice touch, we think, to help calm her nerves a little!

Speeches

Traditionally, the speeches have been held after the Wedding Breakfast, with the Bride's Father the first to stand up and say a little about his beautiful daughter, and welcoming her new husband to the family.

However, we are starting to see more couples choosing to give their Speeches before their meal.  For many Grooms - and Fathers - and Best Men - the Speeches are a little daunting to say the least.  By giving them before the meal, it means that everyone can really start to relax and enjoy their meal and the rest of the day.

A great idea, but a word of advice if you are thinking of doing this - check with your venue about the timings of the meal as there is a risk that the Speeches will be be longer than you anticipate and you don't want to upset the chef!

 

Who sits where

Traditionally there has always been a Top Table seating - from left to right - The Chief bridesmaid, the Groom’s dad, the Bride's mom, The Groom and Bride, the Bride's dad, the Groom's mom and the Best Man.

Today, we all know there are many blended families, who have come together later in life, and this can mean you need to be a little creative with your seating plan.

Some couples are choosing to have two or three Top Tables, perhaps with Parents at the head of their own tables, and the Bride and Goom choosing to sit with the Best Man, Ushers, or other main guests.   If you are worrying about who should sit where, then why not forget Tradition and try out a whole new layout - just for YOU.


Signing of the Guest Book

A Guest Book was originally signed immediately after the Ceremony, by way of testifying that the guests were witness to the marriage.  Today, there is wide range of Guest Books and Signing Boards available, and these are now usually signed after the Wedding Breakfast, with Guests leaving their special messages for the Bride and Groom.  And yes, we can supply them ....

Somethine old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe

Most Brides are still following one of the longest traditions of all:

Something old - to symbolise continuity
Something new - to symbolise optimism for the Bride's new life
Something borrowed - to symbolise that the Bride can depend on family and friends
Something blue - to symbolise love and fidelity

And a sixpence in your shoe - to symbolise good luck and financial fortune - traditionally worn in the Bride's left shoe.


Photography

Well, we had to mention it didn't we!

Traditional, reportage, photojournalistic, contemporary .....  what do they all mean and what do Brides really want.   Watch out for our next Blog which will hopefully explain all.


We hope we've given you a few ideas, but if you have any traditions of your own we'd love to hear about them.

Help with those Pre-Wedding nerves!

"I hate having my photo taken".

"I never look good in a photograph".

"I can never smile properly when the camera is pointing at me".

Sound familiar?   I promise, you are not alone.

As a Wedding and Portrait photographer, these are words I hear many times.  Most people are uncomfortable infront of a camera - and a handful of you will love it!

So, what can we do to help?  Well, if you are coming to us for a Portrait session that's easy.  We always allow time to take practice shots - having a laugh and play with the camera for a while, until you are at least a little more relaxed and can start to pretend the camera isn't even there.

But, what if your next photo session is actually your Wedding Day.   We can't exactly ask everyone to wait for half an hour or so on the day whilst we get rid of those camera nerves.   So, that's why we offer a pre-wedding shoot.

A few weeks before your Wedding, we can get together and spend a couple of hours getting to know each other, and playing around with a few ideas.

Here's a few images from a recent Pre-Wedding Shoot I did with Katie and Dan, who are getting married next month.

For the full slide show, click  here Pre-Wedding Shoot