Polite reminder : Copyright Information : my photos are ALL protected by copyright "© All Rights Reserved" :

i.e. NO image may be used by third parties for any purpose whatsoever without prior written permission given by me, as the copyright owner. The images are protected by Belgian and international copyright law.

Please ask for permission first if you wish or intend to use any of my images in ANY way.

If you download, blog, copy, reproduce, transform, distribute or, in any other way, use any of my images in any unauthorized manner, be it in a commercial or non-commercial environment without prior written permission by me then I will take action to protect my interests and you will be fully liable to fines / punitive, compensatory and/or liquidated damages. So, just don't do it!

As soon as I notify you to stop using any of my copyrighted picture(s) you shall do so immediately.

Note: Under Belgian copyright law the unauthorized use, copying, distributing or attaching a wrong copyright claim is a criminal offense and you will be prosecuted for copyright infringement a.o. by the Belgian authorities if reported - regardless whether you are a citizen (and/or company) from Belgium or elsewhere.

The fact that I do not restrict access to my photos on flickr does not in any way imply consent from me to any form of use by third parties.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Berne Convention reminder:

So, you think you do not care about Belgian copyright law - because you are located in Bhutan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey or the USA? Then this is for you: the Berne Convention requires its signatories to recognize the copyright of works of authors from other signatory countries in the same way as it recognizes the copyright of its own nationals. And, very important: the Berne Convention states that the copyright law of the country where copyright is claimed shall be applied.

160 countries in the world are Berne Convention signatories - so there is a 99% chance that your country is within these.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Before you contact me to ask for permission, please consider the following: No free photos from me for commercial projects.

And think twice before you start writing your request with something like this:

1. "Sorry, we've just started and don't have money to...": If you don't have money to invest, then don't start new projects. Simply as that. Period.

2. "Our website / project is non-commercial...": Sounds good. But remember: a magazine with ads is commercial; a website with ads is commercial; anything else you want to undertake using my photos for material gains is commercial. If there is any form of generating revenues on your website / in your magazine / from any other project idea, etc., then it's commercial, even if you use these revenues only to run the website / publish the magazine / etc.

If you are are really working for a charitable organization, please let me know - and provide proof.

If it's a limited scope school project or assignment and you are a student I might be inclined to respond positively to a valid request, just let me know - and, please, provide proof.

3. "We will give you credits / we gladly put your name on the photo": Sure you do. But that's not the "generous offer" you may believe it is. Because: It's your legal obligation if you use other person's material. It's my legal right as the copyright owner that proper attribution is given.

So, please: don't mention something like this as a replacement for fees. And do not forget: omitting proper attribution is a legal offense and breach of licensing contract (you'll be liable to legal and contractual fines) - wrong attribution may even be treated as fraud (and is not an offense anymore - it's a felony).

4. "I'm working on a magazine / book / website / whatever.": Great for you.

For books / magazines: What title, theme, publishing company, release date, ISBN, intended print run etc.? In what size you wish to use the photo? Placement (title/rear or inside)?

For websites: Any link yet? What company / organisation? Splash page or content page?

I can't make you an offer if you do not provide the pertinent usage details.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks !

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

My photo equipment:

Body

Canon SLR 50E

Canon digital SLR 10D

Canon digital SLR 5D (latest)

Lenses

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Canon TS-E 24 mm f/3.5 L

Canon TS-E 17 mm f/4 L

Canon EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6

Canon EF 28-80 mm f/3.5-5.6

Flash

Canon 580EX

The countries I have visited:

create your own visited country map

The countries I have visited in Europe:

create your personalized map of europe

The states I have visited in the US:

create your own personalized map of the USA