Stills by Hill Photography » Misc. & Personal

Thinking of entering a picture into a contest? Read the terms – La Mesa Photographer

admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 03:25:31 +0000

I often get requests from people about either using MY pictures to enter their children into contests, or family members tell ME to enter MY kid into photo contests. I admit, Lilly is pretty stinkin cute… but have you ever thought about and read the TERMS of a photo contest? I ask you to PLEASE read ALL TERMS and CONDITIONS of every single place you submit your pictures to…including unwatermarked pictures on facebook, myspace, your personal blog etc.

I heard on the radio that a local radio station was doing a cute baby photo contest and that there’s tons of cash prizes and your child could be up on a billboard around town. How cool would that be? Everyone thinks “my kid is cute enough!! I’m going to enter!” Hold up!!

I heard the ad and even said to myself… “Lilly is super cute… I think I will enter”…

So I go to their website and read “terms and conditions” before uploading ANYTHING (please do the same thing!)… sure enough it’s the SAME terms and conditions as most contests you see around (like from costco, newspapers, etc)…

The following was taken directly from their site under rules:

“BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, YOU ARE VERIFYING THAT (1) YOU ARE THE PARENT AND/OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE BABY IN THE SUBMITTED PHOTO, AND (2) THE OWNER AND PRODUCER OF THE SUBMITTED MATERIAL AND THAT NO THIRD PARTY OWNERSHIP RIGHTS EXIST TO THE PHOTOGRAPH SUBMITTED. BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, YOU ARE TRANSFERRING ALL OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OF YOUR SUBMITTED PHOTOGRAGH TO THE COMPANY, AS DEFINED ABOVE. YOUR SUBMITTED PHOTOGRAPHWILL NOT BE RETURNED AND YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO USE THE SUBMISSION FOR ANY COMMERCIAL USE AFTER IT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.”

It’s pretty standard verbage– nothing out of the ordinary… but do you understand it?

First off, most photographers (including me) own the rights to their photographs. A lot of newbie photographers hand over the cd of images and say you have the right to print them. Usually this comes from a lack of education in copyright and a poor business understanding… we transfer the right to print for personal use only. We still retain the copyright for our images. If you are a new photographer and don’t provide a release for personal usage for your images when (if) you give people a cd of images- you should really ask yourself why you would want to GIVE your work away to an advertising company (or a random individual) who can EASILY take those images and use for their ads. For free. With no compensation. I have heard of people seeing their images on billboards or in ads in magazines–they had no release signed so they were out of luck in doing anything.

But this doesn’t just mean professional work. It also means your little snapshot images you take of your kidlet while they are being all cute at home. Wouldn’t it suck to be flipping through a magazine and see your image of your kid you had entered into a contest a few years prior for a different company? Be careful which images you submit and most importantly– do not submit any professional photographers work without their written consent. I personally do not allow any of my images (personal or business) to go into contests unless those terms are different.

Another thing to understand– you are transferring ALL ownership and rights to the company…. whoa! If you didn’t even take the picture (your photographer did)- they own those images. So you just went and submitted little one’s picture your photographer put on a cd for you (or you illegally snatched from their facebook/website or you scanned in a hard copy) you just commited a huge legal no-no. It’s not your property to transfer the rights to so you can’t even enter it into the contest! Does that make sense?

Trust me, I am not against contests, or this specific station (I like them actually)…. I am just wanting people to understand what happens when you upload your images (whether it’s your personal ones or the ones from your professional photographer) to these contests… the images are NO LONGER YOURS (or your photographers for that matter) and you can make your photographer very upset!

This is what I have in my releases as to copyright release for personal use only and why. I have been seeing a lot of people entering these contests on facebook and they are uploading pictures from other photographers (professional or not… its still not your work) and I just want people to understand the terms before hitting “upload” to their image.

Bottom line– learn to read all the terms and conditions before entering any contest!

Miss Madison visits- La Mesa Children’s Photographer

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:11:36 +0000

My niece, Maddie came to visit this week and I was so exited to do some shots of her in my studio in downtown La Mesa! Of course my parents wanted some pictures of her and also my little Lilly. I can’t believe Maddie is turning 7 next week… it feels like she was just born!

I can’t wait until my older niece comes to visit at the end of the month and I get to do more pictures of the three girls together!

PS… the girls are wearing their new Stella and Dot headbands from the little girls line! Aren’t they so cute?!!

In-studio style sessions- a sneak peek- La Mesa photographer

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:34:08 +0000

You know a few weeks ago I announced my in-studio style sessions I am now offering at my La Mesa photography studio. I am located right in the heart of downtown La Mesa in the village right on Third and La Mesa Blvd… I couldn’t ask for a more PRIME location! (I know… I haven’t posted pictures yet! I will!) Anyway, I recently added these sessions to my menu of offerings. I am not one of those generic in-studio photographers you see in the mall. I am not a quickie, cheap, cookie cuter photographer where you can come in, sit in front of a wall of 30 backdrops, spend 10-20 minutes on your session, and see your images 20 minutes later. I put a lot of creativity, time, energy, effort, thought and my heart into every session I do. I feel that every session I do is a part of not only me, but a piece each family is going to have with them forever. The goal is not “lets take facebook photos” (although I do have that session coming up July 18th) or “lets take snapshots to put 8×10 desk prints on the wall”… the goal is to provide each of my clients with a unique & high end experience that they will not only have fun at, but want to keep coming back again and again.

In-studio style sessions are another line of options for you to have me photograph you and your family. A lot of people have asked for it through the past year and I decided I am going to give you what you ask for. The studio was all moved around (no more play room, sorry). These sessions are pretty unique. You will find yourself either on a white high-key set up, on a warm gray background while sitting on a sofa with your family, or sitting on the wood flooring interacting together. I am able to do head shots, business profiles, smaller family sessions, single subject’s on other backgrounds, newborns, dogs, in-studio boudoir (coming soon… not yet!), and all my mini-sessions so time of day is not important.

Anyway back to the original post! Today (with pink eye and all) I had my husband bring our daughter in to do an example of how they look. My daughter was testing out my high-key white, along with the warm gray. I love how they came out. No-I did not put her glasses on. She marched into my studio with them on ready to rock it. Cute huh?

Please contact me to reserve your spot for an in-studio style session… they are way fun and COMPLETELY different! If you are in a year of picture package we can always do your next session there… it’s definitely preferred for those babies who are not sitting up.

Happy Fathers Day! – La Mesa Photographer

admin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:47:45 +0000

I wanted to just wish all you Dads, Grandpas, Moms who ARE mom & dad, men who are LIKE a dad and any others Happy Fathers Day! I am so thankful to have such an awesome dad (& father in law) and to have my hubby who is (in my opinion) the BEST father I could ask for to raise our daughter. I know a lot of you are new dads also and just wanted to say Happy 1st Fathers Day!

My hubby with our monkey (just a little point and shoot camera… nothing professional)

My dad with his grandbabies

My father in law playing in the sandbox with Lilly

Happy Fathers Day, ya’ll!

Happy Mothers Day! – La Mesa Photographer

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:27:21 +0000

Happy Mothers Day to all you Mothers, Grandmothers, Dad’s who take place of Mom, expectant moms, people who SEEM like a mom and those who someone calls mom even if you aren’t legally their mom! I am so grateful to have a wonderful Mom who I would be so lost without! Also my Mother in Law who’s like my own mom– and then all the 3′rd mom’s I have out there

My family of moms

Happy Mothers Day to all of you!

…and we’re BACK! – San Diego Photographer

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:49:09 +0000

I’m BACK from Vegas! I attended WPPI which is a photographers conference (there were like 14,000 people there I was told!) where there were some absolutely A-Mazing photographers speaking and I got to also meet up with a ton of my photographer friends from all over the world.

One of the things I took away from the seminar–BLOGGING! Yes– you know me.. I blog a lot. However, not much about “personal” things… so guess what… you will be getting more of a sample of ME… who I am! Wanna know something new? I absolutely LOVE those honey wheat pretzel sticks from Henrys…know what I’m talking about? Oh and dipped in peanut butter.. YUM! Lilly loves them too. I’m snacking on some now as a matter of fact

If you haven’t booked your spot yet for the Mini-sessions or the free facebook event, please do so as I only have a few spots left for each!

I am adding something completely NEW to the studio.. actually a few REALLY cool items so be on the look out… here’s a sneak peek of ONE:

Studio Closed

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:00:23 +0000

Please note that the studio will be closed Saturday, March 3rd until Monday, March 15. We will be available via email but not the office line. Please contact hillary with any questions or concerns at hillary@stillsbyhill.com.

Thanks!

While you await our return, please check out the fan page on facebook! Did you see the event we are having April 1st? Free photos for facebook! You MUST be a fan of the studio page to take advantage! Details here!

Book your spot here

Spring clothing suggestions (password in the newsletter)- San Diego Family Photographer

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:23:46 +0000

Here are some clothing suggestions for portraits for the spring!

We are on display at Reproductive Wellness – San Diego Newborn Photographer

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:52:16 +0000

We are on display! You have to check out this awesome wellness center in San Diego! Reproductive Wellness, is California’s leading clinic specializing in the use of Acupuncture, Traditional Oriental medicine and natural botanical medicines for the treatment and resolution of infertility, pregnancy, labor/delivery, post-partum issues and menstrual related issues. Reproductive Wellness is a women’s health clinic which incorporates the best of Oriental Medicine with functional medicine. What does this mean, well, they look at your entire life and make recommendation to get you on the right path. They use acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, life style recommendations and nutritional supplements to make sure no stone is left unturned!

They have 2 locations, one in Mission Valley and one in Mira Mesa. If you would like more information feel free to call them at 619-4-HEALTH or visit them online at www.ReproductiveWellness.com

Recognize yourself/child in these pictures?

SEE us on the NEWS! – San Diego Boudoir Photography

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:39:26 +0000

That’s right! Our boudoir photography will be shown on two different stations this Thursday and Friday!

-Thursday Feb. 4 on WB 6 during the 9-10 am show

-Friday Feb. 5 on KNSD at the 6-7 am show

This is SO exciting!!