Okay...so I have to ask: WHO CARES?!?! I have the weather channel on in the background while I'm inputting my new listing and I can hear them discussing weather photos that are photo-shopped or fake. They got into a huge discussion about how illegal it is for people to steal others' photos and change them and use them for other things. WHO CARES?!?! In my opinion, and I'm sure some of you photographers will disagree with me, they are just pictures that you can LOOK at. You can't spend them. It's not like someone stole your last $20 bill. WHO CARES?!?! Why can't you share? Now James told me he'd be upset if he spent a ton of time on a graphic and someone stole that and was copying it, I'm not talking about something like that. I'm talking about pictures of a field, a rainbow, a building or something of that sort. Why does it matter if others want to post, share or print them? Is there a real personal reason, or is it just because you can be that way? Some of this stuff that you are taking pictures of are not your own, so why should you be allowed to take a picture of something public and not share it? I don't CARE, but I've just always wondered....WHO CARES?!?!
I want to give praise to a lovely woman on Active Rain who is always sharing her beautiful pictures. Her name is Myrl Jeffcoat and I LOVE what she puts beneath her photos on her blog:
"I take pictures for the purpose of remembering fond times. I do not impose copyright restrictions on this photo, so you may feel free to use, or distribute as you wish. However, should you need a Real Estate Professional in the Greater Sacramento area, I hope that you will contact me by email or by visiting my website www.myrljeffcoat.com - Thank You!"
Thank you Myrl! Thanks for sharing your lovely art with us.
If you're one of those people that CARES, we'd love to hear from you! Let's hear it!
THIS BLOG WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Kathleen Cooper
JCKC Realty Keller Williams
508-365-3567
www.JCKCRealty.com
www.Facebook.com/JCKCRealty
If You Like This Post, Suggest It To Be Featured!
Sometimes, I wonder the same thing. I mean, yes...personal pictures or photography that you might make money on is one thing, but, a picture of a public building with a pretty garden in front....it's not really yours to keep. If everyone shared the love a little more, the world would be a happier place.
Thanks Tina! I'm glad to see I'm not alone! ;) I wouldn't want people posting my kids everywhere, but a random picture of my rose bush, some fireworks from Old Sturbridge Village that I took or my dog Polo, why should I care if someone uses them? I should be honored!
Sincerely,
Kathleen
I've had agents use my photos that I took of my listings in their advertisements and in postcards and flyers and even just listed/just sold cards...is that still a who cares?
Personally, I think I care.
Ron,
What makes you CARE? (and I NEVER do that btw, I take WAY better photos than the previous folks if I do say so myself...)
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen, wow, you look different every time I see you. I didn't even realize this was you! LOL
I have noticed Myrl's disclaimer, too. Myrl is a lovely person in every way.
Hi Shirley - How have you been? LOL I guess 4 kids and a business has really defining me and making me look more grown up! Hope things are well.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Kathleen,
I t is just a sad state of the human condition that we get too caught up in things that don't really matter.
Hi Hugh - Thanks for stopping by! I agree, imagine if we could all share. I wonder what that would do to the world's hunger, homeless and so on.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen—As a professional designer transitioning to photography, I understand your position IF you are addressing "snap shots" or non-professional photograhy. However, when someone rips-off, steals or just takes a photo from a professional that person is breaking the law. There are copyright laws for a reason... it is to protect the earnings and ownership of specific images taken by an individual whose profession is dependent upon proper usage of their imagery. If you ask me if you may use one of my images, the majority of the time I will be happy to accomodate. It's a courtesy to ask permission and is the right thing to do.
The tagline in your header reads, "bringing integrity to the industry." One needs to care about others and their efforts/work if one is to represent the ideal of integrity in their professional life. I hope this will help you understand that a photo, whether shot by a professional or not, has meaning to the individual who took it. Please respect them and ask for permission... it will be greatly appreciated.
There is part of me that doesn't care. I don't spend any time chasing down Internet thieves. If my pics were being sold on greeting cards for money it might get me riled up that I didn't think of that first!
My tag-line is for bringing integrity to the industry of real estate. I represent buyers and sellers and I do it in a highly professional way. I don't nickel and dime companies for more commission, I don't not show houses based on commission and I don't charge a ton of commission. I market my homes to the best of my ability, and I don't just stick them on MLS and ask for 6% commission for next to no work (ex. sticking them on MLS and letting them sit). I show my listings, I don't put them on MAPass or some other showing service and I get feedback or attempt to on every showing. The seller will always know where we stand.
As far as photos go, I take my own because most of the time, I don't like shots that the previous agent took (if there was one). As far as photos of plants in my yard and of my listings, they are not personal to me. I don't care if someone wants to use them. I'd be flattered. I think there are too many "photographers" out there that try to charge teenage girls to take their photos for "modeling" and there are too many people taking pictures of all things public and trying to make money off of them. I guess like a FSBOis to real estate, I am to photography for the most part. I do enjoy companies that are professional and will take pictures for schools, families or pets. Maybe even for houses if an agent can't do a good job themselves. These I would never defend distributing. But to take a picture of a public beach that has everyday people laying on it and then try to copyright it and sell it, I don't feel comfortable with that profession. I hope this clarifies what I mean. I still feel we'd have a much better world if people were less into lawsuits and "rights" and more for sharing and being helpful and kind.
Sincerely,
Kathleen