Photography and the law

PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE LAW

I am going to keep this section deliberately brief. I do not intend to try and reproduce all the relevant information about this rather vital area. But rest assured that it potentially affects all photographers trying to make money with their cameras.

However, before you actually attempt to find yourself work, it is well worth familiarising yourself with the legal “do’s and don’ts” of photography and in particular the law surrounding copyright.

Personally, I have always referred to a very useful book written by Don Cassell called "The Photographer and the Law” which I believe is still in print. If you can't find it locally try the Amazon link on the right hand side.

This book also covers libel, obscenity, prohibitions and restrictions in the courts, official secrets, trespass and privacy.

The second part deals with the purchase of equipment, photographic services, employment law, working for yourself, loss, damage, insurance and some useful addresses.

“The Photographer and the Law” is based upon United Kingdom Law so if you live outside of the UK I suggest that you find a suitable equivalent that applies to your country of residence.

There are of course other books available and I have listed a few below that are available via Amazon. If, like me, you choose to specialise in portrait and wedding photography, then you may also want to take a look at the “Wedding and Portrait Photographers Legal Handbook” which as the title suggests focuses specifically on these two areas.

© Copyright Robert Clark 2009