Copyright

Photo Usage Rights & Licensing in Hong Kong — Still Misunderstood?

It’s 2025, and yet many people in Hong Kong still misunderstand one simple fact:
Hiring a photographer doesn’t mean you own the photos.

We recently revisited a video published almost 9 years ago by HKIPP (Hong Kong Institute of Professional Photographers)—a simple, clear explanation of how image usage rights and licensing work. And honestly, it’s still spot on.

So, let’s do a quick recap, especially for photo buyers, marketers, and business owners who are new to commissioning commercial photography.

Hiring a Photographer ≠ Buying the Copyright

When you hire a professional photographer, you’re paying for their time, skill, and a license to use the images in specific ways—not the copyright itself.

In Hong Kong, copyright automatically belongs to the creator (the photographer) unless there is a written agreement stating otherwise. This applies whether you’re hiring for:

  • Corporate headshots

  • Advertising campaigns

  • Editorial portraits

  • Product or food photography

Unless you’ve clearly licensed unlimited use or bought out the rights, you’re only entitled to use the photos for the agreed purposes.

So What Is a Usage License?

Think of it as a rental agreement for the images. The license covers things like:

  • Where you can use the images (e.g. Hong Kong only, global)

  • How they can be used (e.g. internal use, social media, print ads)

  • For how long (e.g. 1 year, 3 years, or perpetual)

This is standard practice across the creative industries. You wouldn’t use a licensed song in your commercial without proper rights—photography is no different.

Why It Still Matters

That 9-year-old HKIPP video might feel dated in terms of production, but the message is still painfully relevant today. Businesses still assume that if they paid for a shoot, they can use the images freely, even for future campaigns that were never part of the original deal.

This leads to misuse, conflict, or even legal issues—none of which are good for long-term collaboration or brand trust.

How We Handle Licensing at Ken Tam Photography

We make it easy. When you book a session with us, we discuss:

  • What you plan to use the photos for

  • Whether you’ll need them for other campaigns later

  • If you need extended usage or exclusivity

Everything is clearly stated in our agreement—no surprises, no fine print.

📺 Want to understand it visually? Here’s the HKIPP usage rights video (in Cantonese) — still worth a watch, even today.

Need help understanding image rights for your next campaign?

Let’s chat. We’re happy to walk you through how licensing works and what’s best for your brand.
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