Questions, questions everywhere?
Sometimes the answer is 42… if not, check below for some answers.
Right of use? Commercial? Editorial? Private? It all sounds like a foreign language…
No worries! It can definitely get confusing. I’m happy to explain everything, and if questions still remain, just reach out. Together, we’ll clear up any confusion.
Basics: Copyright vs. Right of Use
First things first: as a photographer, I always hold the copyright to my images. They’re my intellectual property, and that never changes. Copyright is never transferred to clients.
But of course, if you commission photos from me, it makes sense that you can use them. How this right of use works is something we agree on in the contract. Depending on the right of use we set, you’ll have different ways to work with the images. Below, I’ll explain the differences.
Non-exclusive Right of Use vs. Exclusive Right of Use
By default, you get a non-exclusive right of use. You can use your photos freely, but I still retain the copyright and can share the images elsewhere—other clients, stock photo databases, or projects.
“Wait—my wedding or family photos could go to someone else?” Don’t worry. Any image with people is protected by personality rights. Portraits and similar shots remain exclusively yours—not because of the right of use, but because your personality rights take priority.
Exceptions exist. A photo of your wedding cake without people? I can share it. A portrait shoot with a signed model release? Then I can share—but only if we’ve agreed on it together.
Pet photos are a special case: I can share them unless we decide otherwise.
If keeping your images completely exclusive is important—your pet, your one-of-a-kind wedding cake, or anything else—we can set up an exclusive right of use for an additional fee.
Private Right of Use
Every shoot comes with a non-exclusive, private right of use included.
What does that mean for you? You can show your photos to friends and family, add them to your photo albums, save them on your personal devices, or post them on your private Instagram. Just one rule: whenever your photos go online—even privately—I need to be credited as the photographer.
Here’s the deal: non-exclusive right of use means I can technically share the photos myself (see “Non-exclusive vs. Exclusive Right of Use” above). For most personal photos, this won’t matter. Your personal image rights are safe, and I won’t share pictures with people in them without permission.
There are exceptions: I can share photos of pets or the gorgeous wedding cake—basically anything without people in the shot.
If you want exclusive rights for your cake or pet shots, just let me know! I can make that happen for an additional fee.
Editorial Right of Use
Need more than just private use? Maybe your football club wants to pass photos on to newspapers for a story about that epic last-minute win? I got you!
This is what the editorial right of use is for: any journalistic, informative, or educational purpose.
Is it included in your package? Well… kinda. In lots of cases, I’ll include it for free. Small amateur club with no media budget? Or a nonprofit throwing an amazing music festival with barely enough for the photos themselves? We’ll work it out, and I’ll include the editorial right of use in your contract.
Of course, there are boundaries: top-tier professional clubs with big budgets may need to pay extra for it.
One last rule of thumb: the basic editorial right of use is sometimes included. If you want an exclusive editorial right of use, that always comes with an additional fee.
Commercial Right of Use
So… do you need commercial rights for your photos? Let’s break down where private and editorial use stops and when you need to go commercial.
Rule of thumb: if the photos are helping you make money, you need commercial rights.
Example #1: Café owner needing drool-worthy cake shots for your menu or Insta? Commercial right of use needed!
Example #2: Business needing product shots—big brand, indie crafts, doesn’t matter—commercial rights apply.
Okay, those are pretty clear-cut examples… but maybe your case isn’t so obvious. Maybe it feels like a borderline situation where you’re not even sure yourself. Something like this?
Example #1: Small band, promo photos, side hustle, spending more than you earn? → Reach out! We’ll figure out something fair. Once you’re rocking big festivals, there’s no avoiding a commercial usage fee.
Example #2: Wedding photos, sharing pics beyond private channels on your influencer feed? → Then it might not be private anymore, and we’ll need to make a deal.
Also, remember: commercial rights can be non-exclusive or exclusive, and that affects pricing.
Will You Use My Photos for Your Own Promotion?
If no exclusive right of use is agreed, and the photos aren’t restricted by personal or image rights, I may show them on my website, social media, flyers, or in stock photo databases. Want to prevent that? We can arrange an exclusive right of use for an additional fee.
Important note: photos showing people are a different story. You control your own image, and nothing gets published without your consent.
Just Photos? Or Design Too?
It’s no coincidence: Sina Blum. Photography & Design.
While I spend most of my time behind the camera, my passion for visual storytelling and creative ideas doesn’t stop there. Just like I love a photography assignment, I’m equally excited to design a photo album for your family celebration, put together a product catalog for your business, or help you shape the perfect visual branding for your social media—logo, corporate design, the whole vibe. And yes, with plenty of sweat, coffee, and a few tears, I can even craft a design for your website.
Just reach out! Together, we’ll bring your vision to life.
More Questions?
Have a question that didn’t make it into my FAQ? No worries—send it my way! I love answering your questions. And don’t worry: no question is too small or silly.