If you love an artist’s work, or a photographer inspires you – help promote and encourage that person.  Please don’t steal from them. Recently, I discovered that one of my images is being used by other people.  Surely many more of my images are being used without my permission, I am just unaware of it. That is the price I pay I guess, to promote my work publicly.  How frustrating. How violating!
 

I am so pleased to share images of Nova Scotia with anyone who is interested or inspired by them.  My mission after all is to share “Nova Scotia’s beauty, nature and culture” and I do so because I love this Province and because I want others to see what I see; what I love.  I am happy to have people share my images as well. Share them as a link to my site, or as a share from my social media sites. If the share inspires someone to visit a part of Nova Scotia they haven’t seen before, or if the share inspires someone to see things in a different way – I am so thrilled.  But I am not happy when people share my images as their own. This includes using my (or someone else’s) images as a profile photo on social media without credit to the artist, or painting one of my images without my knowledge or permission.  That is not okay.
 

I’ve invested financially in a good quality camera.  I spend quite a lot of time, and quite a bit of money on gas, to explore the Province and capture my images.  I am invested in capturing the images that I share.  The images I share are my original photos.  The image files – they belong to me.  The views I capture, those are for everyone– but the files are mine.   And if I capture a view that others overlook and wouldn’t think to capture themselves – well – that view is mine too. It is my personal, unique take on the world.  I am happy to share these views, but again, the files – they belong to me.
 

When I find out that others use them as their own – I get not only angry – but really quite sad and very discouraged.

So, I ask you – please be considerate when using any photos that you didn’t capture yourself.  If you love the image, contact the photographer, painter, or designer and let them know. It will make their day. Ask permission to share their work. Help promote them as they struggle to share their passion.  But please, don’t steal from them.