Some of you may be wondering "Why is this so beautiful? They're my photos! Can't I just do what I please with photos of myself?" Well my friends, the answer to this is NO.
There was a time long long ago when photographers used a crazy little thing called film, and gave brides and grooms these wild things called PROOFS. They either came in a box, or as a book, but they were actual physical photos of the event. Bridesy and Groomio picked their faves for their albums and prints, and received what was included in their pre determined wedding package. Two years later when they decided "hey, you know, I kind of do want a 5x7 of grandma dancing with our card box on her head." they would have to take to the rolodex (because what the hell is a cell phone!? we're living in a world where cameras still have film!) and find their photographers number. Their photographer would then tell them what the fee for the 5x7 of Grandma would run them in photographer inflation land. Ten years later when they wanted more prints.. well sorry, Mister Photoman isn't doing the wedding thing these days and "hey kids, I didn't hand onto your negatives all these years. I hope you still love your album." Shrug.
How could these monsters get away with this (dramatics!)!? Well, the answer is simple. As the artists of the photos, we photographers maintain the rights to them, unless we give written permission allowing the rights to someone else.
Regardless of legalities, the whole thing still seems like a lot of crazy archaic nonsense. However, some old timers are still trying to hang onto your rights. My personal opinion? If someone tells you that they hold the rights to your photos, or that you can purchase your rights in addition to the fee whatever package they are trying to sell you, turn around and LEAVE. Perhaps run.. in slow motion if you want to be dramatic. There are plenty of AMAZING photographers that include the rights to your photos with the basic package these days, or the rights ARE the base package and they aren't inflating the price of the package as a result. These photographers have joined us all in the 21st century and realize that this is just the way of the times. Don't let any jerks try to tell you otherwise.
True story: one day I decided to print a picture of a friend before a party I was meeting her at. I was going to swing through Walgreens really quick to pick the photo up. It all sounds so breezy. Swing through. Oh no, I didn't swing anywhere. They gave me such a hard time. I told the 18 year old boy at the counter "but I'm the artist!! I can print what, when, and where I want!!" he replied "then why are you getting your prints at a Walgreens. You need a letter of release from the artist!!" He had a point about the Walgreens thing, but I was the artist! Was I supposed to write a note to myself!?! I tried to explain my situation but he wasn't having it. The urge to punch him in his dumb face grew inside of my gut. Finally I showed him the picture on my website (god I love smartphones!), with my name on the website, then showed him my drivers license, and he gave me my photo. Also he looked super embarrassed, and I'll admit, I acted all sorts of smug. However, case in point, you're going to need proof in writing to actually cash in on the "rights" we've been talking about.
So many people hear their photographer say "and you have rights to your photos!" and assume it to be the case. Make sure it is in your contract first and foremost. I also suggest asking your photographer to send you a separate sheet with their signature stating your rights so if you DO ever decide to pop into CVS to print out extra one hour prints of your niece sleeping with her face in cake you don't have to leaf through pages of a contract to show them where it says you're allowed to be printing this there.
Artists’ copyright laws exist so artists aren’t ripped off. With how readily available images are on the internet these days that protection is amazingly important. However, in my opinion this doesn't mean that the average bride and groom should have to spend the rest of their married lives running to their photographer every time they want to frame a print. Knowing the right questions to ask your photographer is a huge deal. However in many cases knowing WHY all the wedding blogs are prompting you to ask certain questions can be super important as well.
