Who Owns the Images?

I retain the copyright to all headshots I take.

When you book a session, you’re buying usage rights – permission to use your selected images for personal or professional use (like LinkedIn, websites, or marketing).

You are not buying the image outright or the right to resell or alter it.

Copyright

When you take a headshot photo (or any photo), you — the photographer — automatically own the copyright. That means you control what can legally be done with the photo. You don’t have to file paperwork or register anything — it’s yours by default.

You can:

• Reproduce it
• Edit it
• Sell copies
• License it to others
• Stop people from using it without your permission

Think of copyright as ownership of the image itself.

Usage Rights

Usage rights are what are given or sold to you the client so you can use the photo – in most cases within agreed limits. You’re letting the use of the image, not owning it.

You might allow them to:

• Use it on LinkedIn
• Add it to their website
• Print it in a brochure
• Share it on social media

But not:

• Sell it
• Use it in advertising without permission
• Give it to a third-party company

Think of usage rights as renting the image for specific purposes.

A simple analogy:

• You own the house (copyright).
• They rent a room for a specific purpose (usage rights).
• They can’t knock down walls or sublet it — unless you say so.