Well, wince my last post the photos in question have still not been removed from the business site, despite them telling me they HAD removed them. I had begun searching for lawyers specializing in copyright law when it occurred to me after consulting w/ some people another option.
See, I was once paid to do their website, and 90% of the photos I put up were mine that I took voluntarily at the time, because the stable had no real pictures I could use to advertise them on the site. Now, it is three years later and they have a "friend" doing a new site for them using my photos so in essence I can call them clients.
In fact, I can note, now they have been photography clients, mostly during my amateur years, for 3 years now exactly in total. Thus, turning lemons into lemonade. Not only does this save me time and money, but it gives me something to advertise. Even if the don't link to me or credit me, I can link to them, or the exact page my photos are on, and credit them for being clients and then if they stop using them, past clients that where with me for a very long period of time indeed.
Of course that all looks great on a beginner pro photographer resume. In fact, this is great news! I immediately let the business know about my plane in letting them use the photos, but that they would then be clients of mine and that I looked forward to being able to credit them as such. I have heard nothing back from them so can only assume they are now ignoring me, but it doesn't matter, because they are still using my work and I am sure they'd rather have this option than to have a lawsuit I would most likely win since I keep meticulous records and do have the email stating they were down "I understand your concern with the photos. They are no longer on the website so no need to worry or be concerned about them being downloaded. Congrats on your photography business." (which wasn't the only reason I gave them for wanting them down or to be credited)
Thus, now I am happy to announce my client of the past three years Dittmer Stables. You may see the work I have done for them here "http://www.dittmerstables.com/facilities-boarding.html" and the picture of the two horses were my horses at the time I took them. They were and still are very happy with the work I did for them, because they are still using my pictures to this day, at least as of writing this. If I ever notice they are down they will turn to past clients and I will notify everyone via this page.
Please note: I have no problems with people using my images for business use. My concern was not about that at all. It was about their right to use them ending once they had the new page up, but they used them anyway w/ out informing me or giving me credit or taking them down after they litterally said they took them down. If you are interested in using any of my photos for business or personal use or whatever, please just contact me so we can discus the terms and how you'd like to use them and how you'd like them delivered to you.
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The reason I wrote this as in letting everyone know I had this new epiphany of an idea is because I want all photographers to really think about issues involving copyright. I didn't see it at the time, but there is more than one way to skin a cat so to speak. Not all infringements have to be bad things and if you can use it to enhance your career then do it! It is a huge compliment to have something stolen or used inappropriately, even if it is wrong. At least you know people LIKE your work and see it as useful. That bodes well for any beginner, because the biggest fear is, "are we good enough to have people want to use our work in the first place"? Something like this answers the question and makes it a definitive, "yes we are!" Thus, don't get upset or discouraged, let your mind relax, talk to people, learn your options, and make lemonade :)
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