jennifer_r2

<p>I would go back over the documentation surrounding your relationship with the company to figure out if they ever had the copyright to images that you took to be able to convey it to someone else in the first place. Did you specifically sign something saying this was a work for hire arrangement and that they owned the copyright? Were you an actual employee of this company, ie were they paying the employers portion of social security withholding, paying unemployment compensation insurance and workers comp? If you were working as an independent contractor and never signed anything conveying copyright to them, I would think you would hold the copyright to images you took.</p>

<p>Having said that, you mentioned that you want to use these images for advertising, which brings the couples right to privacy into play. Did the company you did the images for give you a signed model release at the time for the couple? If you determine you own the copyright, you could always contact the couple directly and explain the situation and offer them a license to print the images you hold the copyright to in exchange for a model release.</p>

<p>If you are worried about the area code, you could always get a google voice number for your new area code and just have it ring to your cell.</p>

<p>It sounds like your long term goal is to be an art teacher in the public school system. While I don't have personal experience with overseas education programs, it might help you narrow options down if you look at the states you would be interested in working in once you receive your degree, and see what they require to hire you. Many will specify that your school needs to be accredited by certain educational organizations. Then you could get lists from those organizations and work backwards to check out schools on your list that combine the educational quality you are looking for with the financial commitment you are comfortable with. </p>

<p>Have you checked your workflow to see if your settings are downsizing the picture sizes when you work on them? I'm assuming the ones you linked too aren't the exact jpgs you are trying to print, b/c they are only 640 pixels on the long side, which is going to be too small to print more than a 4x6.</p>

<p>I have the Xsi you mentioned and it's been a great camera for me to learn on. A drawback of the Xsi is that it doesn't have a wheel on the back for changing aperature, it's a little bit clunkier to change than the 40D or 50D that have the aperature wheel on the back - doable, just took some practice. Also, I recomend making sure you get to hold whatever model you want before you buy it. I have small hands so the Xsi is great - if you are a bigger guy, might not work as well, and something the size of the 50D or Nikon D90 might fit you better. Also, Xsi has no PC sych port on it - you can just buy an adapter for less than $20, but it's one of those little things I didn't know about when I was getting my first camera.</p>

<p>Just as an aside - if you are doing the driving or it is your vehicle, might want to double check and make sure your insurance doesn't have any exclusions, ie personal auto which doesn't cover your business activity or an exclusion in your professional liability coverage.</p>

Has anyone contacted any San Diego media? The potential scammed bride angle may add some local interest.

 

Also, I was wondering if anyone who has had images stolen has contacted the subject of the image? It would seem that they may have a cause of action since they were used to advertise/promote a product without permission or compensation. Impractible for most to pursue, but if any happen to live in CA, it might be worth it for them to look into small claims court or send a letter with an offer to settle for past use of their likeness for promotional purposes.

<p>I'm not from California, but I am guessing they have similar requirements to most states as far as business licensing and registering dba/fictious business name reqiurements, and while its possible this photographer has complied with all such requirements, I wouldn't be surprised to find out he hasn't. If I was someone whose images had been misappropriated, it might be worth it to write a letter to bring this to the attention of the appropriate state licensing authorities. Any violations on his part in licensing requirements could result in fines from the municipality. I also noticed that the telephone number comes back as a landline, and for $4.95 one of those online search companies says they can provide you with the physical address if you needed to serve legal papers or official documents.</p>

<p>I think there was just a case this year in the 4th Circuit that found copyright infringement where an artist copied a photograph - but the photographer hadn't registered the work so he only got actual damages as an award.... I think it was mentioned on the photoattorney blog.</p>

<p>I know that the photo cart by picture pro has a registry component, and I have seen where photographers sell gift cards on their site that can be purchased and given to bride and groom.</p>

<p>Wow- those are bad. Sounds like you made the right decision in going to small claims court if she isn't interested in refunding all your money. If you don't mind, would you update when you get a resolution from the court? (or if she settles in the meantime) It is always interesting to see how lower courts handle these situations, and they usually don't get widely reported because of the amount of damages. Good luck.</p>

<p>The best thing is to contact some private insurers directly to get a quote for your age/health/expected location. I would have guessed getting a work visa would have been harder than health insurance. But if you got that handled, you will probably be able to find something that would work. Personally, I went with a high deductible policy, which makes premiums more affordable.</p>

<p>I have an Xsi and love my 50/1.8. If you aren't sure if that's a good focal length for you, use your kit lens at 50mm, and also at the wider end to simulate a wider prime. See which works with your needs (and budget) better.</p>

<p>I know mpix.com has an album they sell directly to consumers, it doesn't have the cover options you are looking for, but if you want to check it out: <a href="http://mpix.com/Product.aspx/assembledalbums">http://mpix.com/Product.aspx/assembledalbums</a></p>

<p>Ha! you had me going...I was going to offer to take off your hands..cheap...or an even trade for my rebel with all its handy picture modes :)</p>

<p>If she is really looking to get into the "advanced amateur" level with the first camera like you mentioned, she might do just as well to go with the Canon XS SLR. I think the price is running about the same as a G11 right now. I have the Xsi (very similar) that I got as a beginner, and have been really happy with it. </p>

<p>Another thumbs up for John Harrington's book "Best Business Practices for Photographers", best $25 spent, depending on what kind of license they need, based on the info above, you're probably too low. </p>

<p>I liked the layout and straightforward navigation. In the gallery section, I thought is was kind of odd, that the image of what was for sale was a pic in the frame on the wall, as a customer I would have rather been able to see just the image, with maybe a second thumbnail showing the frame. Maybe you could also add a description of the frame, and specifiy if your dimensions are for the image or include the entire matted, framed piece. Also, I would prefer more info about the photographer, especially since you are asking for money and are on a site which says it's free, I felt like if you could add more legitmacy about yourself it would be good- maybe a page that says where you are, includes a pic of your studio or gallery, slide in your business license number.....etc. Nice images.</p>

<p>google "strobist" - tons of info about how to use flash - start with the Lighting 101 link on the sidebar, it's great!</p>

<p>It's a lovely idea, and while I have found that internet forums and interest groups can be very helpful as information sources, I have found photogs in local photography clubs/networking opportunities to be less than forthcoming with information and techniques because they don't want to educate the direct competition, whereas on the internet, people are at arms length.</p>

<p>If it was me, I think I would skip dealing with the coordinator at all at this point, it's the bride and groom who are on the contract. Find out from your bank if the check was NSF or cancelled, and just right a nice letter to the bride and groom, letting them know you enjoyed photographing there wedding, you think the pictures turned out great, and letting them know there is a remaining balance of X due (including your extra bank fees). Include an invoice and let them know that once full payment is received you can finish processing the pictures, and that you expect it will take Y days after payment clears for them to be able to view all photos. Maybe they bounced check to coordinator in the stress of the wedding, maybe they paid coordinator and coordinator is bouncing checks to vendors, either way, it's B & G's responsibility to pay you.</p>

<p>Honestly- I say go with your name photography and differentiate yourself with your photography and professionalism. </p>

<p>Make sure you read the fine print of the best buy warranty, if you use your camera for business/money making at all, the warranty is void (at least the last time I looked at it).</p>

<p>As someone who owns an Xsi and the 55-250, I have been very happy with it's performance for the price. I think it's a very good value, optically I have no complaints, and build quality has not been an issue yet (had it about a year). All plastic may not look/feel as great as a sturdier lens, but it does make for a super-light combination.</p>

<p>I have an Xsi, and I think it's a great camera. The only feature I don't like about it is that it doesn't have a wheel on the back to adjust aperture. You have to press a button with your thumb, and turn the wheel on the front. I think that's pretty standard with with the rebel line. Only matters to you if it impacts how you like to shoot - in full manual I find it slows me down slightly, if I'm in Av, it isn't an issue.</p>