How to Copyright Photography

Photography is a representation of your views on a particular subject. The original way you see people, things and the world around you is portrayed through your photographs. Copyright protection and registration is essential for photographers who wish to sell their work. It is important for amateur photographers to protect their work as well. Your art has your heart in it, and it should be protected.

Instructions

1. Take the photograph. A work is considered to be protected under copyright once it is made into tangible form. As long as you can show the work to another person in some way, it is copyright protected. Printed photographs and photographs on disk or video are all considered to be in tangible form.

2. Place the copyright information on your work. This is not mandatory, but it is advisable. The standard way to do this is ©1978 Jane Doe. By placing the information on your photographs, you have more protection under the law. Your photographs are now copyright protected.

3. Publish your photography. For the purpose of copyright law, publishing your work constitutes putting it on public display for sale, or transferring ownership. Once this happens, the mandatory copyright law goes into effect.

4. Send in your information for mandatory deposit. Mandatory deposit means that any work you have published must have copies on file with the Library of Congress. You are required to send two copies of each item that you want deposited. It is supposed to be two of the best representations of the work. You can find more information on mandatory deposit and general copyright law through the link in the Resources section.

5. Pick the appropriate way to send in your deposits. Online registration is the fastest and cheapest way to make your mandatory deposits. Go to the copyright website and follow the links. Everything is explained and very straight forward.

6. Your photographs will be registered with the Library of Congress, and they will have their own registration number. Everything will be legal, and you have the full protection of the law for your copyrighted photography.

Tips & Warnings

• Call the copyright office with any questions at 202-707-3000.

• Fees change so it’s best to check before sending in payment.

• Use black ink when filling out the forms.

• Don't use pink or purple ink to fill out the forms. Use black ink when filling out the copyright forms.

Resources

• US Copyright Office