Photos for Charity!! Do the photos belong to me or the charity? Re: copyright & data/ child protection!?

Question

I have taken loads of photos for a charity and just wondered whether the photos actually still belong to me or do the charity now own them?

I just want to be really clear on where I stand legally.

Also, if they do belong to the charity, would I still be able to use any of the photos to promote my own portfolio if I got a model release form from the people who are in the photo?

Sorry if it's a bit garbled!!

No I haven't signed over any right yet and I haven't been paid commission. I just do photography as a hobby so I do it on a voluntary basis so any events they have, I usually do the photos and upload them onto Flickr (set at private)

Answer 1

did you sign over the rights??

did they commision you??

more detail required, if you edit it in you will get the answer you need.

EDIT: ok you would need model releases if you want to be professional,

by commisioned i mean did they hire you to do the shoot - if they had they would own the images

you did it off your own back you still own the rights, when you say they own the images what does that mean??

you shot them off your own back you own the rights, get the releases and use them for your portfollio,

hope that helps.....also look up copyright law and photography for your country on the net


a

Answer 2

Although you do not state whether you were paid or you did it as charity (a luv job), but either way whether the photographs were taken for a charity, business or for personal use, the photographer always holds the copyright - except where the film or digital media is supplied by the client for you to recor the images and you hand that over.

There are certain times when, even if you hold the copyright you must not reproduce the images yourself, i.e. when it could be sensitive material such as a classified industrial project where it would be disasterous for the client if a competotor were to steal the idea.

You do not need a model release form in these circumstances.

Answer 3

If you took the picture you own them PERIOD!
It doesn't matter if they paid you or not. The only way they have additional rights is if you agreed to sign your rights way in advance of the shoot. This is why a photographer should NEVER EVER sign a work for hire agreement! Now you should give the Licensing rights for them to use the pictures,(Note I said licensing rights not copyrights) Simply put that on your invoice stating that you give them full permission to use the pictures. If you have limitations on how you want them to use them state it. Also state that they do not have the right to transfers the copyright ot licensing rights to others without your approval.
Now if you are using the pictures for self promotion you do not need model releases. if the pictures are not defamatory in nature. You certainly do not need permission to use your own picture for promotional purposes. Although I still think it is best to obtain model releases whenever possible.

Answer 4

You always own the copyright and the reproduction rights UNLESS you sell or give away these rights. I once took a photo for the RSPCC and gave them the copyright and total reproduction rights for the picture, but I retained the right to reproduce the pfoto for my own use, eg in portfolios. These days its best to get model release forms signed, especially where children are concerned. It protects you, and them.

Answer 5

As a photographer, you own/hold copyright to every image you create.
You may use any images you hold copyright of for promotional purposes, with exception of public advertisements IE: website, newspaper advertisement ect.
When in doubt, get the model release, especially dealing with minors, which I should note needs to be signed by parent or legal guardian.

Answer 6

I agree with everyone who told you that you need a signed release BUT that's only if you sell them for publication. A photographer retains the right to keep the pictures in their portfolio or even display them in their studio without a signed release.

Answer 7

A your the photographer, you own the copyright. BUT, you were shooting kids, and they fall under the "nice shots, but you cant publish them, without written consent, of both the parent/guardian and the organisation who gave you permission to shoot them".

i have to be very careful when shooting kids in our community centre, some have permission, some dont.. so i deliberately shoot the backs of heads, or if im going to use a face shot, i use my kids or the neighbours kids, who have given permission or wont go ballistic and sue me.

you can use the images in your portfolio, provided you dont launch them on flicka (etc) ie put them into a portfolio as prints. but you should still get a signature.. just to save your own ***... and reputation.