What is copyright?

The U.S. Constitution and the Federal Copyright Act give “copyright” protection to “authors” for their “original works,” such as photographs.

.What does that mean?

Simply that the law protects the original works and gives the exclusive rights to reproduce them to the author.  When the copyright has been violated, the author can pursue legal action and the offender can be held liable and fined.

,So, what are the rules regarding the prints I purchased from my professional photographer?

Here are just a few examples of things that you may not do with your professional photos:

• Scan them – for any reason
• Copy them
• Reprint them
• Crop watermarks out of photos and repost them on the web
• Edit them – in any way
• Take pictures of your printed professional photos (especially with your cell phone) and post them on the web.
• Throw darts at them.  Ok, fine.  Do it if you must! 

.Well, why can’t I scan them?  The photos are of me and my family?

While the photos might be of you, they are not yours.  The images belong to your professional photographer; who owns the copyright.  Granted you may have purchased a print of the image, and you are encouraged to display that image and enjoy it.  However, it is not at your disposal to make copies of by scanning or any other means.  It’s actually against the law.

Also, most professional photographers like to maintain quality control over their work.  There is a large quality difference between a scanned photo and one that your photographer creates and sizes for use on the web.  We do not like to see our work all distorted and wonky because it has been scanned.

,What’s the big deal?

The big deal is that your professional photographer works extremely hard at creating the beautiful images that you see.  Everything from lighting, posing and post-processing goes into one single image.  In that regard, your photographer will price their work to maintain a profitable business.  When clients start scanning images and reprinting at home or worse, local one-hour labs, they have basically stolen the ability for the photographer to make a profit from that image.  Since selling their artwork is how photographers earn a living, it tends to make us unhappy when clients steal images from us.

,Aunt Susie saw my photo and just wants to have one little copy of it.  Now what?

Great!  Your photographer will be thrilled to help you get one little copy of that photo for Aunt Susie.  It’s always a great thing to hear that your family and friends love our work!

I bought the disc with the printing rights.  What can’t I do with these images?

On the print release form, there will be instructions on what you can and cannot do with the images contained on the disc.  However, just for the sake of education, I’ll give you a quickie list of those things.

Things you can do:

• make prints for personal use
• make greeting cards for personal use
• make photo books or photo gifts for personal use
• upload the images in the WEB folder onto the web to share with your family and friends (however, please do not remove the watermark)

Things you cannot do:

• enter the photos into contests – nope, not even those “cute baby” contests
• post full-size non-watermarked images on the web
• alter the images – part of your photography experience with your professional photographer will include the photographer’s time and talent in editing/processing your images.  If you do not like the style in which your images were processed, it might be time to look for a different photographer.  I’m just sayin’.

What about the images on your blog and facebook?

The images on my blog are meant to be enjoyed and viewed.  If you would like to share the images on my blog, please do so.  All you have to do is share the link (URL) with your family and friends.  Or,  you can simply find share buttons at the bottom of each post (titled “share the love”) and share them anywhere you’d like.

The images on facebook are also meant to be enjoyed and viewed.  I welcome and encourage you to tag yourself in the images on facebook or share the link to the images.  I also welcome and encourage you to use the images on facebook as your profile photo as long as you do not remove the watermark in the cropping process.  To avoid removing the watermark, simply drag the cropping bars all the way to the edge of the photo.  Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!

Okay, I get it.  I might have violated your copyright policy.  Now what?

Seriously, though, I had a great time meeting and talking with each person that stopped by my table.  I had a drawing at my table for a free session.  I ended up with so many entries that I let each of my kiddos draw a name.  So, there were three winners!  All winners have been notified.

Since I couldn’t give away a free session to everyone that came by, I did pass out $25 gift certificates to be used before March 31, 2010.  Don’t forget to use those! 

If you haven’t heard of this sale before, please visit the Columbus Kids Resale website for more information.  If I am not mistaken, the next sale will be March 6, 2010. 

I owe my sister, Terri Ann, a huge THANK YOU for going with me.  I couldn’t have made it through the day without you.  Thanks!   Love you!

Of course, being a photographer, I couldn’t set up a pretty display and not take photos of it. 

My big tub of candy was quite the hit with the kiddos!

Operation: Love Reunited 411

What is it? 

Operation: Love Reunited (aka OpLove) is a non-profit organization that allows photographers to give back to military families by offering FREE photo sessions and albums to be sent to the deployed soldier (at NO cost to the family). 

Please visit OpLove’s website at www.oplove.org for more detailed information. 

What kind of sessions are available?

There are three types of  sessions offered through OpLove.  All three sessions will have a patriotic theme.  If it is a pre-deployment session, we ask the soldier to wear their uniform for the majority of the session.   

Pre-Deployment - the soldier and their family meet with the photographer to capture memories of the family to be sent to the soldier in an album form

Deployed - the family of the soldier meet with the photographer to creat memories of the family that will be sent overseas to the deployed soldier in an album form

Homecoming – the photographer accompanies the family to the airport to capture all the memories and emotion of the day that the soldier is reunited with his or her family

Can I participate?

If you or an immediate family member is about to be deployed, currently deployed or scheduled for a homecoming, then yes!  You can participate!  Eligible families may participate in up to two sessions per year. 

How do I find a photographer?

Well, if you are not in my immediate area, you can visit http://www.oplove.org/oplovefinder/index.php to locate a photographer in your area.

What’s the catch? 

No catch!  Really!  You get a FREE photo session and a FREE photo album!  I only ask that the soldier wear their uniform for the majority of the shoot (for pre-deployment sessions) and that we keep a patriotic theme throughout the shoot.  

What does Marinda Fowler Photography offer to OpLove Clients?

Marinda offers the following OpLove Packages:

Post Deployment or Currently Deployed:

• Complimentary Photo Session
• Complimentary Photo Album shipped directly to the deployed soldier (at no cost to the family)
• Complimentary Lo-Res Image disc of up to 15 watermarked images (for use on the web via social networks or email)
• 30% off additional prints (NO PURCHASE IS REQUIRED)

Homecoming:

• Complimentary Photo Session
• Clients choice of either one complimentary Photo Album or one Hi-Res Image disc with signed print release form
• Complimentary Lo-Res Image disc of up to 15 watermarked images (for use on the web via social networks or email)
• 30% off additional prints (NO PURCHASE IS REQUIRED)

For more information, please contact me. 
***The photos and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.***

I love the larger sizes, but as a Mom myself, I adore the smaller 5×5 size for it’s portability.  The 5×5 sizes are perfect to fit in my purse and show off photos my sweet kiddos.

These photobooks were made from a recent session.  My client got a hard cover book for herself and two soft cover books for the grandmothers.  What a great idea!   

Hard cover on left. Soft cover on right.

Outside cover a hard cover book

Inside spread of a hard cover book

Outside cover of a soft cover book

Inside spread of a soft cover book

I love them!   What do you think?

The first two Seniors (or parent of a Senior) to send me an email at marinda@marindafowlerphotography.com will get 1/2 off the Senior Session of their choice!!

Again, this is a one time deal and a huge value!! Don’t miss out!