I'm concerned about copyright issues photographing at venues and theaters. How should I handle this?

Understand that you own the copyright to photographs you take. However, respect venue policies and be strategic. If venues prohibit photography or have concerns about unauthorized image distribution, password-protecting client galleries can be appropriate. But don’t let copyright paranoia prevent you from showing your work entirely. Many photographers successfully sell images that include copyrighted or trademarked elements without issues. Create a public portfolio showing your style and quality (even if those specific images aren’t for sale), and keep client-specific or sensitive work in password-protected galleries. Balance protecting relationships with venues against the need for potential clients to see your capabilities.

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Asked by a theater and event photographer · Answered by Juan · Office Hours · 2026-04-09