I just want to quickly make a quick note, due to some activity I have seen on my blogs lately.
It is illegal, which actually means: not legal, so therefore a criminal act, to take any of the pictures posted on my blog. I have the following disclaimer, which should be very clear and states: Images are Property of Miriam Pinkston Photography – mspFotografie. All right reserved. Distribution, printing, saving or altering of Digital Images is illegal and punishable by law.
Excerpt from the PPA website: “Copyright is a property right. Under the Federal Copyright Act of 1976 (effective January 1, 1978 and amended when the USA joined the Berne Convention in 1989), photographs are protected by copyright from the moment of creation.”
My work is my creation, my creation is my work.
I understand that there is a common perception in today’s media-filled world, that everything should be up for grabs, but it is not. I also understand that when someone is in a picture I have taken or has any emotional relationship to a picture I have taken, that one might think it is alright to take the picture, but that is also incorrect.
Before the digital world, no one thought about taking a photographer’s negatives and so just because the access is easier, does not give anyone the right to steal my, or anyone’s, work. Even if the image is simply saved to a computer other than mine without permission, it is considered stolen property. If there is desire for ownership of digital images of my work, there is always the option to purchase those images and the copyrights with them.
Why am writing all this, one might wonder? Well, I can see, behind the scenes of my blog, what is done to my images. I can see, if it has been downloaded, etc. I do not know where they go or who does it, but I can see which images are taken and therefor I can obviously get an overall idea…
I am writing this to educate my clients and supporters, not to chastise. You may not be aware of what an illegal act of taking a photographers’ work is, but now you do.
Unfortunately, if I do not see a decrease in this form of activity, I will simply have to refrain from posting any pictures, Sneak Peeks, etc. and images will be strictly viewed in house and distributed after the old-fashioned method of payments for the services provided.
I am sad writing this because it makes me sad that such misuse is even out there. I know it is a mainstream activity commonly practiced, despite of it being wrong. I just hope that this does not continue with anyone’s work out there.
I will do a better job at educating my clients in the future, so that hopefully, I will be able to continue posting pictures for everyone to see.
I apologize if this comes across as harsh, it had to be said.
Hopefully next post will be a much happier one! 
Thank you to all of you for your never-ending interest and support.
Miriam
