So you’d like to use a photo

Hi!

If you’re at this page, you’ve most likely asked me for permission to use one of my photos, with credit. I’ve replied to you and redirected you to this page, where I will briefly explain to you why my answer has to be and therefor is, “no“.

I’m a small business owner (independent photographer) since January ’12. Services I provide include client sessions and selling fine art prints & merchandise. Another service is stock photography. And this is where it becomes relevant for you.

Every time I donate a photo, I miss out on income I could have made had I sold it, much like stock, based on use. Every time I donate a photo, I devalue its potential worth as a future stock photograph. And more importantly, every time I give something away for free, I devalue myself as a professional artist.

It’s nothing personal. In fact, I value and appreciate that you’ve asked me permission. Too often, unfortunately, people assume “just because it’s on the web, it’s free for the taking”. No. I place photos on the web for people to view. That’s its purpose. Compare it to an art gallery: you don’t swoop in there and take photographs hanging on the wall just because they’re there. No, you’re there to view work.

I thank you for respecting this and for respecting photographers. And please know I’m thankful for and appreciative of your interest in my work.

But this is my job now. It’s just business, but it’s my business, and it’s my job to keep it afloat. I have to do so by being clear on one thing: it’s my policy now to never donate photos and I urge you not to use my photos.

Thank you for understanding, and I wish you all the luck in the world with your endeavors