Copyright for Photography

Creators don’t give up copyright protection when they post their content online.

When posting images to the web, consider:

• Stating your desired terms of use 
  • For example, Creative Commons licenses allow you to quickly communicate how you do and do not want your images to be used
• Using technological protection measures (TPMs) to deter copying
  • For example, posting low resolution and watermarked images
• Include copyright information and contact details in the image metadata fields 

When you create a Social Media account, you agree to the platform's Terms of Use.

From Instagram: 

"We do not claim ownership of your content, but you grant us a license to use it...When you share, post, or upload content that is covered by intellectual property rights (like photos or videos) on or in connection with our Service, you hereby grant to us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide license to host, use, distribute, modify, run, copy, publicly perform or display, translate, and create derivative works of your content."

Essentially, this means that IG can share your content without paying you or seeking your permission. 

Moreover, some companies consider use of a 'signature' hashtag as implied consent to re-use your images without payment or permission. See the language in the ad from the clothing company Madewell linked below.

Creators today are faced with the challenge of finding a large audience for their work and protecting their intellectual property.