How to Copyright Your Photographs & Sell Them
While photographs are immediately copyright protected when created, registering a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is recommended. Registering speeds up infringement lawsuits and may even increase the monetary compensation rewarded to the copyright holder in a legal dispute.
Selling photographs presents more of a challenge, as there no guarantees of buyers. However, hard work, determination and a bit of creativity can lead a photographer to success in selling his photographs. Most photographers find it necessary to sell their photographs using a variety of methods to ensure a steady income.
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Instructions
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Copyright Protection
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Register a copyright using the online form at the U.S. Copyright Office website (see Resources). This is the quickest and easiest way to formally register a photograph with the copyright office.
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Complete the form, print it out and mail it along with a copy of the photograph to be registered to the Copyright Office.
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Obtain a blank registration form and complete it by hand if you prefer not to complete or share information via the Internet. Blank forms can be requested from the Copyright Office.
Selling Photographs
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Work with a stock agency. Stock agencies work with hundreds of photographers who supply the agency with thousands of photos each year on every conceivable topic. The agency tries to sell these photos to magazines, advertisers and publishers, and then splits the revenue of each sale with the photographer. Most agencies have a website that lists their requirements for photographers who want to join.
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Launch a freelance photography business. Become your own boss and take on the challenge of finding clients willing to buy photographs or pay for a photographer to take new photographs for a specific project. There are many types of freelance photography, including wedding, commercial, fashion and editorial.
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Sell direct to clients through your website. Upload a selection of photographs onto a personal website and offer prints of those photographs. These can be sold framed or unframed, or as electronic copies.
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Auction off photographs to the highest bidder. Use a site like eBay and list framed and unframed versions of your prints.
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Exhibit your photographs in an art gallery. Fine art and landscape photographers will find art galleries especially important for selling their work. Arrange to meet with gallery directors to show a portfolio of work that could be shown in the gallery. A photographer may also be commissioned by a gallery to produce new or different work from what is included in her portfolio.
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Tips & Warnings
Patience is vital when beginning to sell photographs. It takes time to find clients or secure revenue streams.
Resources
- Photo Credit diapositive image by Ingrid from Fotolia.com
