Kevin is an ambitious freelance photographer living in Crested Butte, Colorado. His photography talents focus on Fine Art Landscape Prints, Mountain Lifestyle and Action Sports in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. His work has been published in many fine national and regional magazines, calendars, catalogs, ads and posters. He offers many photographic services including private outings, product shoots and location scouting.

I'll do my best to outline the way I understand and do photo licensing but much is varied in the industry:

• Each image is paid for according to use not for the image itself, the ownership stays with the photographer, think of it as renting the picture forever or a limited time.
• Commercial Use would be gear companies, or business that is using the image to promote a product or make $
• Personal and Editorial Uses are for conveying information (this is what I did or what happened)
• The image is purchased by the End User for a disclosed use. It is not transferable unless disclosed and approved
• There would be a contract in most cases, i.e. a commercial purchase would outline the term, use, etc. Personal and editorial contracts are often verbal contracts or emails.
• Much of the details and pricing correspond to the level the Photographer is shooting. I.E. a veteran pro-sports photographer of 20 years does nothing without the most comprehensive licensing and Semi-pros to amateurs do not normally write contracts or even charge for their pics.
• Links that direct traffic back to my site are the purchasers prerogative
• Many Commercial and Editorial entities dictate their own pricing and the photographer can accept or not

Crested Butte Photography is making every attempt to adhere to industry standards for professional photography and appreciate the personal and commercial purchase of my images. SMUGMUG handles the licensing for me by posting the Licenses on their site and each purchaser agrees to these when they make a purchase, just like software, etc. If there are any inconsistencies that you see in my approach, please, bring them up, there is a lot of interpretation possible.


Thanks so much for asking and taking the time to read this, nothing has been harder than making this transition with industry folks and friends. I'm giving out lots of discounts for folks who ask!

Cool, thanks.
Kevin