What You Should Know about Working with Photographers as an Interior Designer

As an interior designer, the project is not complete after styling the last shelf. A quality visual portfolio of the space is invaluable in showcasing your work and attracting the kind of new clients you're looking for. Having a good relationship with the right photographer can make all the difference in the result, and that begins with coming to a clear agreement on expectations and photo usage terms. Let’s look at some points to consider when working with a photographer.

Who owns the licensing of the photos?

If a photographer shoots the photos, by default he or she owns the copyright to those images, and many will further specify this in the contract. On the other hand, if an employee of the design firm shoots the images, it is the employer who owns the copyright. However, every contract is different and all of the terms must be clearly stated so there is no room for doubt about the rights of each party. Even if the photographer claims copyright, they will usually be cooperative when it comes to the designer’s needs. That is, after all, the whole point of hiring a photographer! At the same time, as it has only gotten easier to share photos across the internet with a click of a button, if you are the copyright holder, you will have much more leverage to claim credit or even get photos taken down if necessary.

What use rights does the designer have for the photos?

Design firms generally want to be able to have free reign when it comes to posting the photos on social media and on their website, as well as for marketing and PR purposes. You also want to be able to freely offer images to magazines for exposure. The story of your project will be more appealing to top magazines if it has not yet been widely shared. If you are gracious to your photographer by negotiating for them to receive credit, it is good marketing for them as well, and it sets the tone for reciprocity.

Are you allowed to give permission to other businesses such as vendors to use those photos?

It is not as common for a design firm to license the images to vendors as it is for the photographers to do so. They may have opportunities with the suppliers of materials, fixtures or furniture that appear in the photos. However, you may be able to negotiate with your photographer to share a percentage, perhaps 10% to 20%, of those earnings. This is a point to discuss with the photographer as part of the big picture.

What should the contract include?

The contract must be comprehensive and fair. It should specify information including the legal names of both parties, start and end dates, cancellation or delay policies, copyright and usage rights, scope of photo editing work, confidentiality, liability and payment terms. Nothing should remain a verbal agreement, even if you have a good relationship with the photographer. Before signing the contract with the photographer, you must also receive permission in your contract with the client to photograph the space and use the photos publicly for marketing purposes.

How do you choose the right interior design photographer?

Look for a photographer who specializes in interiors and knows how to tell a story through their images. They should be able to take the viewer on a tour of the space in a thoughtful way so they can understand and imagine being there. A savvy photographer will ask you questions about the space, as well as your vision for the project, in order to be fully prepared for a successful shoot. If you find a photographer with compatible needs, it may open the door to establishing a mutually beneficial long-term partnership that works from a good understanding of your company's aesthetic, preferences and needs.

xx, Danae