When do you have the right to sell your images?
 

I've been into photography for a while and have recently set up a website with Smugmug to store/backup/display some of my photos. But I'm still not sure when is it ok to make profit from my images? (not that mine are that good, but in theory). And am I required to set up an ABN before I sell?

Also, if I turned up to say No limits, Trakdayz, or any of the other sessions held at Barbagallo, (or even some of the Rally's down south) do I have the right to sell the images (to the owners of the cars/bikes/whatever)?

I think it may be worth while having a look on the Australian Taxation Office ('ATO'), website to understand the difference between a business and a hobby first.

I'm aware that my activities count as a hobby, however what I'm not sure about is whether I require the permission of whoever is hiring the venue and/or the subjects?

If you are going to be selling photos, best to speak to event organisers. You can probably get a sexy 'press' vest to wear and better access to photography spots.

You can sell you photos any time you want, just be prepared for epic flaming :D

I'd also highly suggest advice from an accountant on how you setup this business. Just because you consider it a hobby, the ATO doesn't always think that way.

I think morally most people be annoyed that at a closed event that people would take pics of their cars to sell considering they had to pay a fee to drive the car. Motorvation, Rexpo etc is different as this is open to alot of people..

However, i suppose it would be dependent on what you decided to charge.. i.e if you took a fair few pics of a particular car then i wouldnt mind paying a fee to get all these pictures put on dvd and posted out...

The worst thing in the world is someone who takes utterly shit photos setting up a site and trying to sell them.

Its painful.

Not that you are in this class.

Having said that - why should someone spend their dollars buying gear, their time and effort and money to go to an event, take photos, process photos, and then just give out their work for free?

There is a fine line to be treaded along to find the best mix.

I never charged for stuff I took at events because I did it for the love of cars, but at times I really should have.

That, and my pics were shit anyhow :)

Have a read of this thread: [url=http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1039208]Public event photography - told I couldn't sell photos - Canon Digital Photography Forums[/url]

This topic is debated all the time on photography forums, and there never seems to be a definitive answer!

I charge for photoshoots, have sold individual photos from car photoshoots to local businesses before for use in advertising, but have always consulted the owner of the car before doing so. I don't do much track photography but when I have I've never sold those, they usually employ an official photographer(s) so that could be frowned upon.

I do have an ABN but not 100% sure if it is legally required to sell pics.

[QUOTE=teejay;574108]Having said that - why should someone spend their dollars buying gear, their time and effort and money to go to an event, take photos, process photos, and then just give out their work for free?

There is a fine line to be treaded along to find the best mix.

I never charged for stuff I took at events because I did it for the love of cars, but at times I really should have.

That, and my pics were shit anyhow :)[/QUOTE]

TJ the same can be said for car owners.. Why should they spend 1000s more on their car and risk putting the car in the wall for ppl to take pics of it then sell it to the masses...

It all comes down to the cost... if someone is going to charge 20 per digital photo i think that is unfair to the owner of the car.. They should be consulted imo..

For official events like motorvation etc then this is different but for skid pan days etc i dont think that the same rules apply..

Will pay $5 for photos.