Many photographers use music to enhance their photography. But since music is a work protected by copyright law, make sure that you honor the copyright of the composer, too.

Most photographers recognize that copying music from a friend or downloading from a music sharing website is illegal. But even if you purchased the CD or song outright, you may be infringing on the copyrights if you use the music for more than personal purposes.

When you buy music, you are not purchasing the copyright. Instead, you are getting a license to use the music in specific ways. It's the same as licensing your photo to a company for a specific use. If the company uses your image beyond the established permissions, your copyright is infringed. If you give your bride copies of the photos from her wedding with permission to use them for personal use, she would violate your copyright if she even donated them to "Bride's Magazine."

In general, when you buy a CD or a song, the permitted use is for personal purposes only. If you play the music at a party at your house, you probably are still using the music within the particular boundaries. But if you play the music in your commercial studio or used it to accompany your slideshow presentation for a client, you more than likely have gone beyond the rights granted to you when you purchased the CD. Check the small print on the CD to be sure.

So what are your options if you want some music for your photography? You can write your own music or you can get permission from the composer. A couple of websites make it easier to obtain those rights: www.musicbakery.com or www.freeplaymusic.com. You also can use software such as Apple's new Soundtrack Pro or Garage Band to create your own music. These programs are easy to use, even if you don't have much musical skill.

Just as photographers don't want their copyrights infringed, composers don't either. Respect the composer's work. Get the necessary permission when using music to support your photography.

Take my advice; get professional help. PhotoAttorney

Copyright 2005 Carolyn E. Wright All Rights Reserved

Carolyn Wright

Carolyn Wright is a professional photographer with an active wildlife photography business. Shooting for 25 years, her award-winning images have been used in books and corporate marketing materials. Her wildlife photos will be included in the upcoming book, "Captivating Wildlife - Images from the Top Ten Emerging Wildlife Photographers" by Scott Bourne and David Middleton. She also is working with Scott Bourne on "Wolfscapes," a photo book documenting the beauty and strength of wolves. Carolyn shares her love for photography with her enthusiasm for the law. Trained as a top-flight attorney, Carolyn's legal practice is aimed squarely at the needs for photographers. She understands the special issues that confront both professional and amateur photographers, and she regularly speaks and writes on the subject. Her book, "88 Secrets to the Law for Photographers," also co-written with Scott Bourne, is scheduled for release in fall 2005. On the faculty of Olympic Mountain School of Photography, Carolyn’s passion is enhanced when teaching photography. She enjoys writing and speaking on the subject, as well, and is a regular columnist for PhotoFocus, an online magazine for serious photographers. Carolyn is particularly tuned to the special interests of women in photography. She appreciates women's unique approach to the subject, and adapts her instruction accordingly. Armed with more than 20 years of general business experience and a Masters of Business Administration degree, she understands what is needed to succeed in male-dominated fields. This knowledge, combined with her training and experience as a teacher at all levels from grade school to graduate school, provides the strong foundation she uses to help others with their photography. Carolyn can be contacted at 2107 N. Decatur Rd. #117, Decatur, GA 30033 or by phone at 678.592.8025.