Understanding Copyright & Licensing | A Guide to the Ownership & Usage of Your Photos

Let’s talk about this little guy: ©

As a business or personal brand, investing in professional photography is one of the most powerful ways to communicate your story. Unless you’re a Copyright Attorney, commercial photography licensing can sometimes feel confusing, so let’s review the essentials of copyright, licensing, and image usage—so you can confidently use your images while respecting creative rights.

What Does the Client Own?

When you hire a photographer, you’re not buying the copyright—you’re purchasing a license to use the images.

Think of it like software: you don’t own Microsoft Word, but you have permission to use it. Similarly, your image license grants you the rights to use your photos for specific business purposes, such as:

• Website and social media posts

• Print and digital marketing

• Press releases and media features

Under US Copyright Law, Copyright automatically remains with the Photographer

What Is an Image License?

A license is a written agreement that outlines how, where, and for how long you can use your photos.

Licenses can vary depending on the project. Common types include:

• Commercial Use License: for marketing, advertising, and business materials.

• Editorial License: for use in news, articles, or publications.

• Personal Use License: for private, non-commercial sharing.

At Maureen Porto Studios, every client receives a clear license that outlines exactly what’s included—so there’s never confusion about what’s allowed.

Why Copyright Protection Matters

Photographers rely on copyright to protect their creative work, but it also protects our clients. A defined license ensures:

• You have documented permission to use the images confidently

• The images won’t appear in unauthorized or competing materials

• Everyone’s intellectual property is respected and protected

Do I need to own the copyright of my images?

In commercial photography, it is standard for the Photographer to keep copyright ownership & to grant their client a specific license to use the photos for whatever purpose they intend. In most cases, a client does not need to own the copyright of their images, but all clients do need an image usage license from the photographer (either for personal or commercial use) that outlines the way in which they can use their images.

If you have hired a photographer for branding or product photos, of course you will want the right to use them for marketing, promotional, and advertising purposes. You’ll want to be able to post them on your social media, website, & wherever else your market your business. A proper License will give you the right to legally use your photographs for commercial purposes, but it will restrict you from reselling them or giving them to third parties for their use or for other economic gain. 

Do I have permission to print & share my photos?

When you purchase digital images from a photographer, they will usually give you permission to print and share the photographs & will have the specifics outlined in their contract. If you are planning to print & share your photos for personal use, you will often be provided with something called a Print Release. A Print Release is simply a document from your photographer explaining that it is ok for you to reprint images, share images publically, or pass out copies of the images for personal use.

Common Misunderstandings

❌ “If I paid for the session, I own the photos.”
→ Unless the photographer is your full-time employee, your payment covers the service and licensed use, not ownership.

❌ “Can I give the images to another company to use?”
→ Not without securing a license for that specific magazine/company, or written permission from Maureen Porto Studios.

✅ “Can I post them on social media or my website?”
→ Yes—your license includes use on your website, and use on social media using when including attribution: © Maureen Porto Studios

Other questions about how to use your images?
Contact us anytime—we’re happy to clarify or customize a license that fits your business goals.

Copyright & Licensing + Maureen Porto Studios

My standard practice for all portrait & personal branding clients is to include the following:

 “The Licensor (Miranda Kelton Photography, LLC) grants to Licensee (client) an EXCLUSIVE license for the final purchased Photographic Materials for digital commercial usage (Digital Use: Specific Usage for Photographs in digital mediums and platforms (Website, social, email, blogs, paid online ads, etc.). A non-commercial Print Release shall be delivered to the client via email upon their download & receipt of any print-size imagery - this print release allows the client to reproduce their purchased images for personal use & shall be provided to their print lab of choice upon request.”

Should a client need something beyond digital commercial use (printing out billboards, book covers, signage for storefronts, etc.), I will draw up an additional custom commercial license that outlines the extra usage & the specific fees associated with said usage. Every photographer handles copyright & licensing differently, so be sure to communicate with your photographer & always read their contract to be sure you fully understand the image rights you are receiving.

Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert, nor am I qualified to give legal advice - all of the information contained in this blog post comes directly from the sources linked at the bottom of this post. I encourage anyone who is in need of legal counsel to speak to a lawyer who specializes in Copyright Law, Intellectual property law, &/or entertainment law.

Sources:

US Copyright Office | Copyright.gov | Copyright Law of the US: Title 17
Professional Photographers Of America | Understanding Photographic Copyright
The Lawtog.com | Copyright Laws For Photographers