**SOAP BOX** on copyright, through another photographer's eyes

**SOAP BOX**

Remember that photograph of a dad acting as newborn beanbag? Cute, right? I myself even re-posted it after it was posted twice on my wall. Then I found the photographer who took the photo. She was super-upset that someone had taken her photo off her website, defaced it and spread it around. I contacted her about it, and here is her response.

"right now, i am hoping that most people will take down the photo. what i'm also hoping is that people learn a little bit about copyright law, and that even though it seems ok and normal to go to a google image search, pull a photo, and re-post it online, that it is actually illegal and against all copyright law, and has SERIOUS serious consequences- to the tune of 150,000.00. that all those photos you see online are only legally posted by the author, the copyright holder, and that each one of those images actually represents a real human being. we know that there is always a possibility of an image getting stolen, but as photographers we HAVE to be able to post online for our businesses to survive. so when something like this happens, we have to band together and say it's not right."

Out of respect for her (and as a fellow photographer) I've taken the photo down to stop it circulating any more from me. But she does bring up some serious issues.

Copyright is serious. We frequently laugh it off, but it is a big deal. Music, videos, photos, writing... it's all a part of it.

Whatever you post online is out there. Like, forever. You can try to take it down and stop it from circulating, but once it's out there the damage has been done. I have an album from a family session I did a few months ago that I'd absolutely love to share. However, the youngest was adopted, and the parents have asked to keep their child off social media (it also has something to do with adoption rules, not just their preference). So, unless you go into their house, you'll probably never see them playing in the leaves with their newest child.

Another blogger wrote this great post awhile ago. It's all about copyright and getting caught, even though she didn't mean to break any rules. You can read it here.

                                                                                                        Photo by Dave.

As a photographer, I'll admit I'm in fear of people ripping me off. My clients have all been super-gracious and have posted photos as I have asked. However, like I said before, once something is out there, it's always out there. Just because it says copyright doesn't mean everyone will respect it. Or they even know what it means. Sometimes it's an accident, sometimes it's intentional. And sites like Pintrest (as much as I love it) opens up a whole new can of worms.

Anyways, it's given me something to think about. As a photographer and social media user.

love, Steph

Why I do and why I don't love my job.

I think I've said before that I love my job. And while that is 100% true, sometimes I don’t love every bit of it.

 I love seeing someone’s smile when they get their photos.

 I don’t love having to say no to someone because I’m already booked.

I love catching that moment when the family is completely caught up in the union they’re witnessing.

I don’t love when I cry over it. (Okay, that’s not totally true. I just don’t like that tears make my eyepiece slippery!)

I love getting cuddle time with my newborn client. (And sometimes his/ her siblings, especially when they happen to be my nieces!!)

I don’t love when said client pees on my blanket, especially when I don’t have my own washing machine. (But him I do still love!)

I love the way the groom looks when he gets to see his bride for the first time.

I don’t love that I don’t have two sets of eyes so I can see both reactions simultaneously.

I love finding new ways to brand my product.

I don’t love paperwork. (But then again, who does?)

Truthfully, I guess there isn't really that much I don’t love about my job. And those parts that I don’t love as much keep reminding me that I am doing what I love, and it makes it easier to get past those things.

What do you think you wouldn't love so much about your dream job?

love, Steph

2012 Round Up

Now that it's the new year, here's a round up of the top 15 photos of the year!!

15.

K and her girls. One of the girls who got me into wedding photography!

14.

A during the ceremony. I LOVE details.

13.

'Reflecting on Brooklyn.'

12.

Baby S's eyelashes kill me.

11.

Last wedding of the year! And first who requested tracks!

10. 

My sweet nephew. Daddy was SO excited I brought blocks. Thankfully baby I stayed asleep...

9.

K's parents had THE most gorgeous staircase.

8.

Due to a dress malfunction, I ended up sewing my sis-in-law into her dress. Note to self, keep a sewing kit handy.

7.

The growth of a family.

6.

Sweet macro lips!

5. 

Right before this I fell in the water. It was cold. But everything else was lovely!

4.

My view of New York was absolutely shaped by the movies I watched as a kid. There are no words for how excited I was to find a bird man.

3.

Oh Spring.

2.

Over the Christmas break I received and email from the bride's sister asking if I was able to send them photos of their Grammie-bear, even though I wasn't finished editing, as she had just passed away. This is my favourite of her.

1.

Sometimes I miss NYC so much I cry. It changed me.

And a bonus, just because.

Here's to 2013!!

~Steph