Can I sell photos from a private event held on public land?
Asked 4/4/2016
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2 answers
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If I photograph a private or organized event taking place on public land, and I am not the event’s official photographer, can I legally sell images to the participants or as stock? Are there limits based on credentials, organizer rules, or the people pictured?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
1
If the athletes are NCAA, definitely not*. If "private event" means you needed a press pass to be able to shoot, almost certainly not (you'll find a disclaimer on the back of most press passes basically saying "we own your photos, but we're letting the publication which sent you use them").
Otherwise, maybe. Check with an attorney rather than the organizers of the event who will almost certainly say no even if that's not legally the answer. Although, depending on the type of event it is, you might want to be a nice guy and respect the organizers' wishes, legality aside.
*I haven't actually been able to find the rule saying you can't sell photos of players. That's just what news organizations I've worked with have told me. I suppose it could be urban legend or outdated information.
Originally by user48183. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user48183
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
It depends on where you are and on the event’s rules. In general, photography in a public place is often allowed, but that does not automatically mean you can use or sell the images however you want.
Key limits mentioned in the answers:
- If access required a press pass or media credential, the pass may impose terms that restrict ownership or sales.
- Event organizers may try to limit commercial photography through ticket terms, credentials, or permissions, even on public land.
- Laws vary by country and region, so rules in one place may not apply elsewhere.
- Selling as stock or for broader commercial use can raise additional issues around model releases, publicity/personality rights, and minors.
So: you may be able to sell photos in some cases, but there is no universal yes/no answer. The safest approach is to check the event’s terms and any credentials you used, and get legal advice in your jurisdiction if you plan to sell commercially or license as stock.
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