10 REASONS WHY CREDITING PHOTOGRAGHERS IS SO IMPORTANT

Yesterday, I shared a post about crediting photographer’s on Instagram. Now to most people, it may appear sometimes that we are losing our minds over something that seems relatively trivial. Trust me when I say this is not the case. The importance of crediting photographers cannot be disregarded nor overstated. Photographers invest countless hours, skills, and resources into capturing and creating their images. By not crediting their work, you are not only disregarding their efforts and contributions, but it is akin to stealing or claiming someone else’s work as your own without consent.

The Courteeners – Rachel Brown

Now look, we know mistakes happen, we aren’t all educated on the frameworks of copyright and this article is not to portray ourselves as the photography mafia, but I’ve written it in order to acknowledge the creativity, effort, and intellectual property of not only Northern Exposures photographers, but photographers everywhere. It is critical that we understand why it is so important to acknowledge someone’s art, because photography is indeed an art form. Photography, with its capacity to weave visual narratives, evoke emotions, nurture creativity, and demand technical prowess, connects with viewers profoundly, both emotionally and intellectually, particularly within the realm of music. It possesses the ability to immortalise the pinnacle of concert experiences, ranging from the exhilaration of crowd surfing to the intimacy of acoustic sessions, offering a portal to relive splendid memories and certainly deserving of acclaim.

Crediting a photographer is a responsibility that benefits the entire community by promoting transparency, learning, and appreciation for original work. Here are 10 more reasons why I think you should always give a credit:

1. Respecting the Artists’ Creativity:

In at number one and probably for me, the most important, photographers invest a significant time and effort into capturing and composing compelling images. That’s without even mentioning editing them which can in some cases take hours. By crediting their work, we acknowledge their artistic vision and give credit to the creators behind the images.

PALOMA FAITH (Bella Proudfoot/Northern Exposure)

2. Encouraging Professionalism:

Crediting photographers helps promote professionalism and ethical behaviour in the online world which is massively important. By providing attribution, we acknowledge the value of photography and discourage the unauthorised use of images without permission.

Liam Gallagher – Rachel Brown

3. Promoting Fair Compensation:

When photographers are not credited, it becomes challenging for them to earn a living from their work. If their work is stolen and plastered around on the internet it can affect their credibility as an artist and a photographer. Crediting photographers ensures that they are fairly compensated for their creativity and efforts.

4. Encouraging Collaboration:

Our entire ethos from day one has been just this, collaboration not competition. We are open to collaborating with most people but we appreciate been asked. Crediting photographers fosters collaboration and cooperation within the creative community. By acknowledging the contributions of photographers, we encourage collaboration and teamwork, ultimately benefiting the entire industry.

5. Protecting Intellectual Property:

Magazines and photographers own the copyrights to their work, and crediting them helps protect their intellectual property rights. By crediting photographers, we respect their rights and prevent unauthorised use or infringement of their work.

Trampolene – Rachel Brown

6. Abiding by Legal Requirements:

Many jurisdictions have copyright laws that require attribution to photographers when their work is used. By crediting photographers, you comply with these laws and avoid potential legal consequences.

Sea Girls (Kayleigh Nickson/Northern Exposure)

7. Building Trust and Credibility:

Crediting photographers demonstrates respect and professionalism which in this industry is extremely important. It builds trust and credibility with the target audience, as it demonstrates a commitment to ethical practices and acknowledging the contributions of others.

Liam Gallagher – Damien Parrish Photography

8. Recognition and Exposure

Many photographers rely on crediting for their work to gain exposure and establish their reputation. By sharing credit, you are not only acknowledging the photographer’s contributions but also promoting their work to a wider audience which is very important. This can lead to new opportunities and exposure for both the photographer and yourself.

The Mysterines (Kayleigh Nickson/Northern Exposure)

9. Professional Integrity

Word spreads like wildfire online and crediting photographers is essential for maintaining your integrity and credibility. By giving credit, you acknowledge and respect the photographers who have contributed to your projects, whether it’s for personal or professional purposes.

10. Building a Positive Online Community

The online community of photographers is vast and interconnected. By crediting photographers appropriately, you are contributing to a positive and respectful online environment. This fosters collaboration, support, and recognition within the community.

Crediting photographers is important for several reasons. It respects the creativity and efforts of the photographers, promotes professionalism and fair compensation, encourages collaboration, protects intellectual property rights, complies with legal requirements, and builds trust and credibility. By crediting photographers, we acknowledge their valuable contributions and support the growth of the creative community.

RACHEL BROWN