What's the Big Deal About Copyright Release, Anyway?

I get A LOT of inquiries about whether or not I release the copyright so that my couples can print their own pictures. The short answer is, no. The long answer is this:

My business is very dependent on referrals. And a lot of people will view the pictures that you have printed from your wedding. I feel that quality control is paramount to my success and my reputation as a professional photographer. The printing company I use is local. I send my images to them, and they print each and every one of them on Kodak Professional paper. I have such a great relationship with them that when I call, I don't have to tell them who I am... they know my voice. This is important because they know what my quality standard is. They know that if they see an imperfection in a print that I will too, and they don't even attempt to deliver it to me. Occasionally, however, that misprint does come through. If this is the case, all I have to do is notify them, and I will have a replacement print almost immediately.

Besides that. I calibrate ALL of my equipment on a regular basis to ensure that the colors on my screen are correct. Even if you buy the most expensive, nicest screen you can find, if you put it on a GOOD calibrator, chances are, your screen will need adjustment. This is important because I know my printer also has the same stringent calibration standards that I do. I know that when I send a print in that white will be white, black will be black, and all the colors in between will be what I mean for them to be. Occasionally, I send my own personal photographs to bulk printers for processing. After viewing professionally printed images next to the ones I get back from the bulk printing companies, there is a CLEAR difference in color correctness, image quality, and paper quality. You are paying a lot of money for your wedding photography, and quite possibly for some of the most important pictures of your life.

Would you get your wedding dress at WalMart? It's for the same reason that you shouldn't settle for a non-professional source for your prints...

Now don't get me wrong. I understand that in this digital age, there is a lot of desire for images to post on blogs, facebook pages, myspace... and an endless array of other platforms. I have no problem releasing an image or two for these purposes, on a limited basis. I've signed copyright releases for save the date cards for engagment pictures, and allowed couples to have a few images to use for place settings at their receptions... basically any reasonable request will be considered. The problem just comes when I'm asked to release EVERY image for printing purposes.

That said. It's difficult for me to take pictures of my own family, well, pictures of my own family with me in them. I've looked into hiring other photographers to take pictures for me, and have been SHOCKED at what they are charging for their prints. I understand that a lot goes into the post processing of images (see my future post about why professional photography costs so much...) and time is valuable, but some photographers use the fact that they own the images to make the actual prints almost unaffordable. I don't believe in this practice. It's not that my time is not valuable, or that my work is not worth the cost... I just think that it's wrong to charge people professional imaging prices and then charge them an arm and a leg for the final product, which is what they were seeking in the first place.

Wow, that was very winded, and I'm sure I've angered a few people who are charging upwards of $75 for an 8x10...

Hopefully, this offers some insight into why some photographers are stingy about releasing their images. Again, it's not that I want all the profit from the prints... it's not that AT ALL, or I'd be charging more for my prints; it all comes down to quality control. I feel that if you are paying for professional services, you should have professional output, and the only way to get that is from a professional source.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about any of my posts... I'd love to hear what you're thinking!!!