Dan Lyons photography

[bobm67]

Dan took pictures of my 63 Corvette SW back in the early 90's. The photos have showed up in corvette calender's and corvette coffee table books over the years. It's the October car in the 2021 Dan Lyons corvette calendar. I was wondering if anyone else's has had the same experience.

[Keith Seymore]

Yes - I've had the same experience with both my GTO and my Chevelle.

We would do a photo shoot for a specific publication and then it shows up across multiple other magazines and coffee table books and calendars.

It's a little bit surreal to find yourself in a magazine or the topic of a conversation and not be expecting it.

K

[Lee Stewart]

When you work with a professional photographer, he probably asked you to sign something. Did you read it? It's a release. What it says is that he owns any and all photos he takes of your car. He is free to sell them to anyone he chooses to and does not have to compensate you at all.

[bobm67]

I don't remember signing a release. I am glad he is still using pictures. He sent me a nice picture of the car and a letter thanking me for taking a Sunday afternoon to do the photo shot. The next year he sent me a calendar with the car in it.

[JP Emerson]

Although many photogs will have you sign a release, it is not required. If I was shooting your car for an article a release is not necessary. By running that photo and story in a publication the words and photos become the non exclusive property of the publication.



For many, having the story in a magazine is cool enough and a proud moment. The publications however can use the photos in any way including advertising in perpetuity.



Unless the photog retains the rights, once they get paid they are no longer their property.



A photo of YOU with the car/bike/truck etc is quite different...


If I snap a photo at a public event and you happen to be in the photo then you are considered "in the public eye" and have "no expectation of privacy."



If I run a photo with you with your car then you are considered a "model" and a release is required because you own your own image.



In a nutshell, most people think it is cool to see their car in a place they didn't expect. More often than not if you contact the publisher or company that used the image and explain that the car is yours, you may find that they will send you a copy.


JP
Automotive author & journalist

jpemerson.com