Your Images, Your Rights, Our Policy
People get this wrong all the time.
They assume that if an image is online, it is free. They assume that if they paid a photographer, they automatically own the copyright. They assume that giving credit makes unauthorized use acceptable.
That is not how copyright works.
This page explains the copyright position of Solaris Studios and also includes an educational article reposted with written permission from Carolyn E. Wright of The Photo Attorney.
Copyright at Solaris Studios
All photographs, text, video, design elements, and other original content created by or for Solaris Studios are protected by copyright and other applicable laws of the United States and other countries.
Unless otherwise stated in writing, Solaris Studios retains copyright ownership of the photographs it creates.
Clients typically receive a license to use their purchased images, not ownership of the copyright itself. If you want to understand how that works, visit the Image License page.
You may not copy, reproduce, republish, sell, transfer, license, alter for resale, or otherwise distribute photographs or other protected content from this website without written permission, except where a valid license or legal exception applies.
In plain English: if you did not create it, and you do not have permission to use it, do not use it.
What Clients Usually Misunderstand
Most copyright confusion comes from a few common assumptions:
- “I paid for the session, so I own the image.”
- “It was on Google, so I thought it was public domain.”
- “I credited the photographer, so that should be enough.”
- “My web designer uploaded it, not me.”
- “I only used part of the image.”
- “I took it down when asked.”
Those ideas sound convenient.
They are also usually wrong.
That is why the article below matters.
Educational Article Reposted With Permission
By Carolyn E. Wright of The Photo Attorney
Reposted here with written permission.
Common Misconceptions Regarding the Reproduction of Copyrighted Imagery
When someone infringes copyright, the excuse usually comes fast.
“I didn’t know.”
“I found it on Google.”
“I credited the photographer.”
“My web designer did it.”
The article below addresses those misconceptions and explains why they generally do not hold up under copyright law.
You can read the original educational article from Carolyn E. Wright, The Photo Attorney, here:
The points most relevant to clients and business owners are these:
- If your web designer infringes copyright on your behalf, that may still expose you to liability.
- Using an image without permission can still be infringement even if you made no money from it.
- Copyright exists the moment an original photograph is created.
- Giving credit does not replace permission.
- Finding an image through Google does not make it free to use.
- Taking an image down after being caught does not erase the original infringement.
If you want the legal deep dive, read the source material. If you want the practical version, here it is:
Get permission first.
Website Content Protection
All content displayed on the Solaris Studios website, including but not limited to photographs, written content, streaming video, branding elements, and website design, is protected by copyright and other applicable laws.
You may not copy, publish, license, scrape, reuse, or redistribute this content without express written permission from Solaris Studios, Inc.
That includes commercial reuse, unauthorized reproduction, and use in promotional or editorial contexts without permission.
If You Need Permission
If you want to request permission to use an image or other copyrighted material from Solaris Studios, contact the studio directly before using it.
It is always easier to ask first than to untangle a copyright problem later.
Solaris Studios, Inc.
10407 Thornhurn Court
Houston, TX 77065
Phone: 281-477-7222
Email: [email protected]
The educational article referenced above on common misconceptions regarding the reproduction of copyrighted imagery is reposted here with written permission from the author, Carolyn E. Wright of The Photo Attorney.
Visit The Photo Attorney for additional copyright resources for photographers and creative professionals.
