Written by Carolyn E. Wright, Esq., the Photographer's Legal Guide covers the essentials of law and business needed by photographers to protect their work. Written for the photographer who doesn't have a law degree, Wright identifies in plain terms the legal issues that affect both amateur and professional photographers.
Photographer's Legal Guide
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Carolyn Wright shares the legal aspects of photography in an accessible volume of inside tips. Whether you are an experienced photographer already in business, starting a new photography business, or just a weekend shutterbug, you'll find essential information here. M. Diane Vogt, Esq., multi-published writer, including Keeping Good Lawyers: Best Practices for Career Satisfaction
For many photographers, including professional photographers, the fun part is taking the pictures. The business part is less fun, at least partially due to the fact that many of us lack adequate knowledge of the laws. Some photographers opt to fly by the seat of their pants and just do the best they can. If they have a standard model release, they may think they re in good shape. That illusion shatters when all of a sudden there is a run-in with the legal system -- whether someone decides to sue you, or you discover that someone is using your images without your permission. Carolyn Wright's new book, The Photographer's Legal Guide, is designed to acquaint you with all the basic formalities of running a photography business. She begins by reviewing some of the basics of starting a business and makes comments about how different possibilities relate to photographers. Although every nuance is not covered - the book would be far too thick and intimidating - she clues you in to issues you must deal with and points you in the right direction. The book proceeds to cover all those pesky business issues that you know you should deal with, but really don t quite understand how to do and why you should bother. For example, Wright goes into a lot of detail about copyright issues - both registering your images including the hows and whys - to what to do if you find your copyright has been infringed. This is a book that every photographer who is even considering selling their images, should have! --Ellen Anon, co-author of Aperture Exposed, The Mac Photographers Guide to Taming the Workflow, and Photosh
In summary, The Photographer s Legal Guide is loaded with up-to-date, relevant legal issues for the working photographer. Carolyn has done an excellent job in presenting the material so it is easily understandable, and has anticipated concerns we may not have even thought of. I feel that anyone in the photography business would benefit from this non-intimidating book. I, for one, would not be without it in my personal library. --Heather Forcier, Naturescapes.net
Carolyn Wright's book is an essential tool for any professional (or aspiring professional) who needs to navigate the tricky legal issues in the business of photography. In clear, concise prose, she explains and simplifies the issues of rights and releases, and deciphers the 'legal-ese' of contracts and other important legal issues into plain and simple language. Her background in law and her exceptional photographic work make her a unique resource in this business: a great legal mind with a wonderful photographer's eye. --Bob Krist, columnist, Outdoor Photographer
About the Author
As the owner of the blog, photoattorney.com, Carolyn E. Wright, Esq., offers legal services aimed squarely at the needs of photographers. With a law degree, years of law practice, an MBA, and varied business experience, her credentials are among the best. Carolyn also maintains an active professional photography business with a variety of publication credits and teaching experience.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Perfect Paperback
Photographer's Legal Guide gives you detailed, step-by-step information that is essential for photographers that plan on making their hobby become their business! It is done in a clear, concise manner that even those of us not accustomed to "legal jargon" can follow!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Alex Johnson
Format:Perfect Paperback
This book is well written and concise. It clearly explains the legal hurdles for photographers - both those who sell a bit on the side or those who are making a full-time business out of it.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Perfect Paperback
Starting out as a Freelance Photographer, I acquired this publication and found, that the information researched, concerning starting out as a new Freelance Photographer, is "Outstanding". Copyright Laws etc. It's everything a Photographer needs to survive. I give the author much, much credit, for taking the tasking, to publish a truly "Outstanding" book of information. Every Photographer absolutely needs a copy of this publication.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Perfect Paperback
Carolyn Wright has written a book for every photographer who is selling or who is considering selling their work. Carolyn has written the book in a concise and easy to read manner that will help photographers navigate through photography topics such as types of businesses, tax advantages for photographers, getting paid for your photography, insurance, copyright, procedures and forms to use when registering your copyrighted work, ways to prevent others from stealing your photographs (especially important in today's digital age), contracts, model releases and many other important topics related to photography and the law. This book belongs in every photographer's library!
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Perfect Paperback
I'm just to the point where I am considering selling some of my work. I found Carolyn's book to be extremely helpful in identifying some areas needed to protect myself and my images.
11 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Perfect Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was very disappointed by this book.
I expected a work telling me when, how, and in what circumstances I could photograph subjects and distribute my works.
Instead, this book could basically be retitled "Some General Information about Starting A Small Buisness That is Much Too General To be Useful and a Few Pages about Photographers' Rights."
Much of this book is about such general things as: what is a sole proprietership; how to get a tax ID; what is a contract; and very general stuff that is common to any small business owner. While there is nothing wrong with this, the subject of starting a small business is covered in more detail and better in many other works. You do not need this book to learn how to start a business, nor should you buy it for that. The book is mostly full of general information on starting a small business, and a general introduction to copyright law, and a prudent admonition to get a waiver from models.
For me, this book was a waste of money. It was not detailed enough to provide good advice as to how to run a business, nor did it explore in detail what I bought it for, namely what are the rules of the road for a photographer taking and distributing images. The author has an excellent blog on current events in photographers' rights, but the book disappoints.
I would not recommend this book.
FULL DISCLOSURE: In addition to being an amateur photographer, I am an attorney who practices in the field of intellectual property law. So much of what I found banal about this book may not be so to the general reader. On the other hand, I recognize that the advice in this book is general and is not a substitute for a lawyer.... Read more ›
I expected a work telling me when, how, and in what circumstances I could photograph subjects and distribute my works.
Instead, this book could basically be retitled "Some General Information about Starting A Small Buisness That is Much Too General To be Useful and a Few Pages about Photographers' Rights."
Much of this book is about such general things as: what is a sole proprietership; how to get a tax ID; what is a contract; and very general stuff that is common to any small business owner. While there is nothing wrong with this, the subject of starting a small business is covered in more detail and better in many other works. You do not need this book to learn how to start a business, nor should you buy it for that. The book is mostly full of general information on starting a small business, and a general introduction to copyright law, and a prudent admonition to get a waiver from models.
For me, this book was a waste of money. It was not detailed enough to provide good advice as to how to run a business, nor did it explore in detail what I bought it for, namely what are the rules of the road for a photographer taking and distributing images. The author has an excellent blog on current events in photographers' rights, but the book disappoints.
I would not recommend this book.
FULL DISCLOSURE: In addition to being an amateur photographer, I am an attorney who practices in the field of intellectual property law. So much of what I found banal about this book may not be so to the general reader. On the other hand, I recognize that the advice in this book is general and is not a substitute for a lawyer.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Perfect Paperback
This book is absolutely fantastic. It covers all aspects of the legal rights of photographers. I'm strictly an avid, amateur photographer, and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I don't have a business, am retired, and I take lots of photos, and I now feel armed with my legal rights as a camera carrier. Carolyn is a great writer. The book is written in plain, easy to read and understand English. Her credentials are impeccable--even a little scary. I even enjoyed the few outdoor photos that she put in the book. Her explanations of copyrighting, and when and where you're allowed to take different kinds of photos are a must to have in your arsenal. But she also tells you what you're not allowed to do. The book is about 120 pages, and every page is a winner.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Perfect Paperback
The solo practitioner and the small law firm cannot have an expert on every law question. "LAW" applies to every human interest and activity. The vastness of the law research recources can prove insurmountable. This nonesoterical, plain languge book can acquaint and help pinpoint THE question, making the answer eaiser to identify.
Thanks from a retired country lawyer,
John H. Poteet
Thanks from a retired country lawyer,
John H. Poteet
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Suggested for Photographers with Legal Questions
While some would argue that this book does not cover "everything", this book is a great resource. It provides a starting point and answers many of the common questions regarding... Read more
Published on May 16, 2011 by flehnerz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great source
This book hits the highpoints to get you going. It covers a broad array of subjects to give you the basics. Read more
Published on July 8, 2010 by Lens Artwork
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential for photographers with any level of experience.
This book covers all of the basic legal considerations that you as a photographer will ever have. While no single book can list in detail every possible variable (a technically... Read more
Published on November 19, 2009 by A. Heefner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Plenty of useful information
I'm a beginning photographer and I'm interested in displaying and selling (directly) my work. This book gave me all the information I needed in plain English and without too much... Read more
Published on August 15, 2008 by E. F. Paredes
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent plain language resource
This is a wonderful, easy to read book that provides a comprehensive review of all the major legal issues that a photographer running a small business needs to know. Read more
Published on June 29, 2008 by Model Agent
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good But Concise
This is a good, to-the-point, legal guide.
It's more of a hand book than a book filled with many examples.
The information is well laid out and easy to follow.
It's more of a hand book than a book filled with many examples.
The information is well laid out and easy to follow.
Published on May 27, 2008 by Dennis in Houston
