Legal terms in contracts can be confusing. When you invest in wedding photography, it is natural to assume that because you paid for the service, you “own” the photos. However, in the world of intellectual property, ownership and usage rights are two different things.
A common question from clients reviewing their contract is: What rights do we have to the photos? The simple answer is that you have Personal Use Rights. This means you can do almost anything you want with them for your own enjoyment—print them, post them, and share them—while I retain the copyright as the creator. This post breaks down the legalities of Adrian Bonet Photography’s contract so you know exactly what you can do with your images.
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Index
Who Owns the Copyright?
Your Freedom: Personal Use Rights
What You Cannot Do (Commercial Use)
Privacy & Portfolio Use
Final Thoughts
Who Owns the Copyright?
The Creator is the Owner
According to international copyright law, the person who creates a piece of art (clicks the shutter) owns the copyright to that image immediately. As the photographer, Adrian Bonet retains the copyright. This is standard practice across the entire photography, music, and art industry.
Why This Matters
Retaining copyright is what allows me to protect the integrity of the work. It ensures that a third party (like a billboard company or a magazine) cannot take a photo of you and use it for an advertisement without my permission (and yours). It protects the art from being misused or altered in ways that damage the reputation of the artist.
Your Freedom: Personal Use Rights
Unlimited Printing and Sharing
While I own the copyright, I grant you a Personal Print Release. This gives you broad freedom. You can print the photos as many times as you want, in any size you want, at any lab you want. You can make albums for your parents, canvases for your living room, or holiday cards for your friends.
Social Media
You also have the right to share the images digitally. You can post them on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or your personal wedding website. I want you to show them off! The only thing I ask (as a courtesy, not a legal demand) is that you tag or credit Adrian Bonet Photography when you post, as this helps my small business grow.
What You Cannot Do (Commercial Use)
Drawing the Line at Profit
The limitation of “Personal Use” is that you cannot use the photos for Commercial Gain. This means you cannot sell the photos to a stock photography website, nor can you enter them into contests without permission. You also cannot give the photos to other vendors (like your makeup artist or venue) to use for their advertising unless they have a usage agreement with me.
Third-Party Requests
If a wedding blog wants to feature your wedding, or your dress designer wants to use a photo for an ad, simply direct them to me. I am almost always happy to grant permission, but it needs to be done through the proper legal channels to ensure everyone is protected.
Privacy & Portfolio Use
My Use of the Images
As part of our contract, I typically retain the right to use the images for my Portfolio and Marketing. This includes my website, Instagram, and brochures. Showing my work is the only way I can find future couples—just like seeing photos of other weddings helped you find me.
NDAs and Privacy Requests
However, I respect your privacy. If you have a high-profile job or simply prefer to keep your wedding private, we can discuss a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) or a privacy clause. If you do not want your images posted online, please let me know during the consultation, and we can adjust the contract to respect your wishes.
Final Thoughts
The distinction between copyright and usage rights is simply legal housekeeping. It is not meant to restrict your joy.
When you book Adrian Bonet Photography, you can rest assured that you have the freedom to print, post, and cherish your photos forever. The contract exists simply to ensure that the artwork is respected and that your memories remain your memories, not a commodity for someone else to sell.