Some of the best images can be captured during the winter months, so don’t let the cold stop you. For the best photography experience, wear clothing that will keep you comfortable and safe.

Many photographers enter into contracts with clients where the photographer agrees to perform photography services in exchange for payment. But what happens when you don’t get paid after you’ve rendered the services?

You’re sitting in your easy chair and surfing the web. You’re not paying much attention, until you see it. It’s your photo, but you did not post it there. You can’t believe they used your photo without your permission. Now what do you do?  The steps you take may limit your ultimate remedies so be sure to not act too quickly.

Before you go and upload your prize photo to your favorite social media media site such as facebook or myspace be very careful when it comes to reading their "Terms of Use" Policy. By uploading your images to these sites you may be giving away your rights and allowing the site to use your images for free.

Trademarks (or servicemarks) allow people to identify the source of goods or serv-ices, not the products or services themselves. When people see your trademark, they will know where the product came from or who is providing the service. Trademarks can be names, symbols, packaging, the shape of a product, the colors of a product, the sounds, or scents associated with the product, or any combina-tion of these.

It’s easier than ever for someone to steal your photographs in this digital age. While the copyrights for your photographs are created at the click of the shutter, the best way to protect your photographs is to register them with the U.S. Copyright Office. You can register the images yourself, but mistakes in the process can limit your rights.

Finding an unauthorized use of your photograph on the web is upsetting.  But what can you do about it?  You can contact an attorney for assistance.

Most hobbyists and all professional photographers need to use contracts to protect themselves and their business. A contract is a legally enforceable agreement entered into by the parties: you and a client, customer, or anyone else who wants to make an agreement with you.

These days, photographers are likely to find one or more of their images used without permission.  One defense is often that it is a “fair use.”  The challenge is determining whether the unauthorized use is an infringement or fair use.  While only a court of law can make that decision, understanding what makes a use “fair” will help you protect your work.

By Carolyn E. Wright It’s easier than ever for someone to steal your photographs in this digital age. While the copyrights for your photographs are created at the click of the shutter, the best way to protect your photographs is to register them with the U.S. Copyright Office. You can register the images yourself, but mistakes in the process can limit your rights.

When you own the copyright of a photograph, you have complete and exclusive control of how it is reproduced, displayed and distributed. These rights may be assigned, sold, transferred or given away. But if you give a slide to a publisher, email a digital file to a client, or sell a print at an art show, you have not transferred your copyright unless stated so specifically in a written agreement that you have signed. Instead, you have given the recipient “non-exclusive rights” - you still own the copyright to the image. But when you transfer the copyright in writing to another party, you relinquish all rights to the image. It is as if you never took the photograph.

Copyright infringement is much too common these days.  To reap the big statutory rewards (of at least $750 and up to $150,000 for willful infringements, plus costs and attorneys’ fees) from prosecuting infringements, you must have registered your photograph with the U.S. Copyright Office prior to the infringement or within three months of publishing it (making it available to the public).