Beware the photos you use!

Good advice....I too have used old photos of listings, I've also seen pictures of mine used on another listing because they are the same model. I never gave it any thought. Yikes.

Thank you for that informtion.  I have used other photos from MLS, simply because they had a better angle on the home than I.  I will make sure I am not violating.

Our MLS down here specifically prohibits using another agent's photos for any purpose whatsoever. Violations can result in being terminated from the MLS, which would not be good in my opinion.

Thanks for reminding us that taking shortcuts by "borrowing" someone else's work can BACKFIRE, bigtime.  Do your own work. . . take your own photos.

Thank you for the much needed post Michael. I offer to pay a reasonable price for professional pics or ask permission to use their photos...for example if I list a house that was previously furnished and is now empty. An empty house does not show well. Other than that, I take my own photos...it's the right thing to do!

I have previosly worked as a photographer.  It is very frustrating when others use your photos without your permission.  That is how they earn a living.  As an agent nothing frustrates me more than doing another agents work and getting nothing for it.  I'm sure the photographer feels the same.

Michael:  well said.  I just had this happen to me.  A listing changed hands and the previous listing decided to "give" the photography I had done for him/her to the new agent, even though I had a signed licensing agreement with the previous agent that allowed him/her to use the photos only for so long as he/she had the listing - ownership and copyright stayed with me the photographer.

It ended up well.  I contacted the new agent (who is also a client of mine) and gently explaned the situation.  She/he and I agreed on a reasonalble licensing fee for her/him to use the photographs.

AND, our local association of Realtors has a specific rule against "lifting" photos from other Realtors and using them as their own.  Fines, etc. if they do so.

Thanks again for the educational post.

Michael

I see this post is from a little while back, but it's great that you brought this issue to light! So many people don't realize using someone else's photos is the same as pirating software or music. It's a violation of copyright. Thanks!

"But...  But... If it's "Wrong" to steal, why does a "Right Click" let me "Copy and Paste?"

Thanks for the post, Michael.  I have chased a few of my own humble photos.

Michael,

Uh-h-h... I insist.  You go first.  Let us know how you make out with that one.

Thanks for posting this.  I am really shocked at how many agents use other agent's photos.  I really work hard to get the best photos I can for a listing and can't imagine using someone else's work without permission.