Photographers & Copyrights - Wedding Forum

Sue · #1 (**permalink**) 19-11-2002, 11:06 AM

Hello all!!

Not been on for a while...well I have been nosey reading your posts but not posted myself for at least a week

Anyway, back to the topic. As Simon and I are now going through both sets of Wedding photographs the question of copyrights came up. So, I spoke with one of the Photographers who has said I can have the copyrights & the negatives after 5 years for free but my other Photographer (Sikh Wedding) isn't being as helpful.

although I shall try and win him over!

I did also look at the British Photography Institute and they say the copyright can remain with the photographer for 70 years after their death!!!

I appreciate that the job they do is skilled and should charge accordingly, but I don't understand why they woudl sell you the negatives for say a couple of hundred given they aren't going to sell them - or am I being naive (sp?)

What's everyone else done/doing about theirs?

Love
Sue xx
27/09/02

Jacqui · #2 (**permalink**) 19-11-2002, 12:25 PM

I have wondered about the same thing myself - why wold they want to hold on this??? not as if we are famous or do they live in hope?!!!!! they will be still waiting in mycase! Perhaps if they are really happy about the results, by them owning the copy rights on them they can use these photos in their advertising.

Thing is we are paying through the nose for their skill regardless of paying extra for the negatives. They may hold on to them in the event that the originals get damaged in some way. But other than that I cannot see a reason for them to hold on to them other than what I already said.

Bianca · #3 (**permalink**) 19-11-2002, 12:41 PM

I know its a bit of a cheek really.

We are not allowed our negatives either. Photographers just like to keep raking the cash in when all and sundry want extra photos.. am sure it is purely a money making thing. As if they dont charge enough as it is!

nikki · #4 (**permalink**) 19-11-2002, 03:16 PM

How weird. this had never occurred to me - why on earth would they want to keep our negatives?

I assume it's so we can't lend them to friends and family to get their own copies of 'official' wedding pics when they can order them from the photographer and make him/her a few bob.....

N xxx

J · #5 (**permalink**) 19-11-2002, 03:27 PM

It is a standard practise fro photographers to keep the negatives. At work, we can pay up to £600 for one to go out and photograph one of our construction sites, but we don't get the negatives, and we order prints from them. The last bit is sensible, they can do prints far better than any of us could through the high street. Its just something that is the norm.

Jx

Sue · #6 (**permalink**) 19-11-2002, 04:33 PM

I agree they should make the money on the initial orders from families and friends and you will get a better result from them instead of popping to your local printing shop - but why not sell them after 6 months or so is my point.

Sue xx

Angelmouse · #7 (**permalink**) 19-11-2002, 06:13 PM

Our photographer holds onto the negatives to, but we get to keep the proofs, so I am not to bothered about the negatives.

Fran

Lady Jane · #8 (**permalink**) 19-11-2002, 06:43 PM

I have chosen a photographer who gives you your negatives with your photographs, quite a change from the norm. Very reasonable too. Does colour b&w, sepia. Traditional and reportage.

It is harsh that photographer keep hold of negatives for so long. Yet again a service provider wanting to make as much money as possible from the speacial occassion that your wedding is.