I spend a good amount of time reaching out to websites and bloggers who have lifted photos from my newspaper and incorporated them in their own content. While there are a few free sites to get photos from, it’s pretty safe to assume that photos aren’t free. I saw one of ours that had been photoshopped on Medium so I posted in the comments that they should remove it or expect an invoice. Another commenter (I know, never read the comments) asked if that was the hill I wanted to die on, seemingly incredulous that I had an issue with it. Short answer is, yes. I am willing to fight to make people understand why photos are not free.
There are many people taking cell phone photos and posting them on social media. Some are great and most are average. Often those citizen journalists in the right place at the right time to get a usable photo that illustrates the news. That’s ok to take and use on a news website right? NO. Reporters, editors and bloggers must reach out to the creator and ask permission. If the creator does not get back to you by deadline, you feel like you did your due diligence by reaching out and then it’s ok to use, right? NO. Many citizen journalists are generous and want the news to be out there so they will agree to share the image. Some will realize that they have a hot news moment and ask for payment. I feel that if the creator wants compensation that they should be paid the rate you would pay a professional. Honestly, in local newspaper journalism, that’s not much but by paying, you are telling the creator that you respect them and their ability.
How about that great dog photo you saw on the promo website of an up and coming photographer? Surely they want the exposure, so you offer them credit under the image but no money. You say, “think of all the people that will see your photo and want to hire you.” NO, No, and no. Have you priced camera gear lately? Have you had experience with what a good education costs? Workshops and professional groups that offer support and guidance to photographers are not free either. Would you ask your chef neighbor to cook a meal for your party telling him that you’d give him great exposure on social media so it will really help his exposure? NO. How about your friend who is a dentist? Would she mind if you popped by for her office to look at this tooth that is bothering you for free? No, of course not.
Photographers, photojournalists and videojournalists are trained to make storytelling images. They have expensive gear, insurance, and training that has cost money over the years. You may think “snapping a quick picture” is easy. If it is then you never saw the photos my mother took. She was a great artist and designer but a terrible photographer. It’s is not easy. It takes training as well as talent and skill. Photographers should be paid for the service they are providing. If you really want to use that awesome dog photo in your publication, recognize the talent and pay the creator.
But wait, you say, what if they have already made the photo and were paid by someone else already. Why can’t I use it then? If a business has paid a photographer to make photos of their business so they can use them as promotional materials, you should not have to pay to use them if you are writing about that business. Wags and Wiggles Dog Wash sends you promo photos to use with your post about local dog groomers. You should not turn around use those photos with a story about how a dog was hurt at an unrelated business just because it is a dog photo.
Another case would be if you saw a great photo from a destination wedding on a photographer’s site. You thought it would be the perfect photo to illustrate your business or maybe an article about how more Generation X couples were getting married in Mexico. NO. First of all there is the copyright issue, secondly there is the matter of a release from the subjects in the image. They paid for their wedding photos for personal memories not expecting them to appear in the the latest AARP.
There are too many examples to list every one. So just assume that photos are not free on the internet UNLESS they expressly say “free” on them. Don’t use my travel photos for your story, blog or business. Don’t make inspirational posters from my equine photos unless you want me to be inspired to send you an invoice. Don’t use the cute kid pics for the cover a book or magazine. These are my images. If you would like to buy one, contact me and let’s discuss. 😉
Nell Carroll Photography 