It’s cool when your photos get noticed. It’s even cooler when a publication asks your permission before it uses them, and offers to pay. This candid I shot while chatting with Jimmy Pattison (about his big Christmas tree star in the BPs, among other things) at the opening of Nordstrom Calgary caught the eye of Canadian Business Magazine…
… who enlisted illustrator Alvaro Tapia Hidalgo to adapt it for an October 2nd story by Jim Sutherland, who was my first editor ever during the old Vancouver Magazine days. Nice story, Jim! And awesome illustration, Alvaro! Although I was digging the lavender plaid Jimmy was going with in the photo. He has some stylish moves, many of them tartan.
Ripping stuff from the ol’ Interwebs has become so pervasive that many peeps out there don’t seem to realize that the person (or organization) who worked hard to create that content owns it. I appreciate it when credit is given where it is due. Like with my photo of this vehicle wrap on the streets of Calgary, to stick with the tartan topic. It resonated with super-cool British artist and author Toby Leigh, who’s so obsessed with fake Burberry he’s publishing a book on it. And of course, I support that! Delighted that my pic will be included, Toby. Especially because you asked. 
Hi Tiffany,
Good examples of people getting credit for the work done. What would you do if people use your photographs without your permission? Recently a magazine published (at least) three of my photographs without my knowledge, permission, or authorization. Very frustrating!
Jeremy
Hi Jeremy,
That’s terrible to hear! When that happened to me (and of course I found out by accident) it took a while to get the organization’s attention. I left voicemails that went unanswered, and had an unsatisfactory phone call. I wanted to deal with it in a friendly manner, because I had a feeling it was done by someone who just didn’t realize what they were doing, but it wasn’t until I sent out an email, CC’d to my lawyer, with the heading: “unauthorized use of photo, payment required” with a price list for various usages that I finally got a response.
It took quite a few more emails, but they finally sent a cheque. The money wasn’t really worth the effort, but it was an organization that champions Canadian culture, so I felt quite strongly that it was hypocritical for it to use my content without crediting me. Ironic in a bad way.
What did you do about your photos?
I’ve been asking a few people for advice on the procedures I should take. One of the pictures used in the magazine was taken from a website that paid me to use the photograph. So far, I have sent one email to the magazine, with no response. I will be ramping up my efforts to settle this issue.