Copyright law traces its origins back to the United State Constitution. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 8 states “To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.”  The Copyright Act established in the Copyright Act of 1976 and further detailed in Title 17, protects photographers by giving the creator of the photograph the exclusive rights to copy, edit, reproduce (including making copies), and distribute the image by sale or transfer.  These exclusive rights make it illegal to copy, scan, edit, or share photographic prints and digital media and ban sharing on social media without the creator’s permission, Aztec Photography.

Even though you are a client and have hired Aztec Photography to take photos of your family, a senior portrait, or a wedding, it does not mean you own the photos taken. You are paying for Aztec Photography’s professional use of their time to take and edit those photos. The purchase of an image or package from Aztec Photography only allows the purchase of that set of images, it does not allow the ability to reprint, make copies, distribute (via invitations, Christmas cards, etc.), or post on social media without the prior permission of Aztec Photography. In order to legally be allowed to reprint images, share images publically, or pass out copies of the images you must have a signed print release from Aztec Photography stating that the photos were given to you as a client are allowed to be used.

Violators of this Federal Law will be subject to its civil and criminal penalties.

All photos on this website along with any photos shared on all social media platforms are copyrighted, whether watermarked or not.  The copyright owner is Aztec Photography.  Any photograph taken by Aztec Photography may be used at any time for the purpose of marketing by Aztec Photography.  If you are interested in licensing an image, please discuss your copyright needs or questions with Aztec Photography.

Reasonable requests may be accommodated.

For more information on photographic copyrights, please visit the Professional Photographers of America website at www.ppa.com/cmark.