Use of Photos on the Internet

28 May 2025 | 28 May 2025 | 4 min |

In this article :

The internet is full of attractive photographs, but their use is not without legal restrictions. As image professionals, it is essential to understand the rules that govern the use of photos online.

Copyright: An Automatic Protection

In France, copyright automatically protects any original work from the moment of its creation, with no need for registration or a specific notice. This includes photographs, whether or not they feature a logo or a © symbol. As a result, any photo found on the internet is presumed to be protected by copyright, and using it without permission constitutes a violation of that right.

Obtaining the Author’s Permission

To legally use a photograph found online, it is essential to contact the author or rights holder and obtain explicit permission. This authorization should specify the conditions of use, including:

The type of authorized use (commercial, editorial, personal, etc.).
The duration of the authorization.
The media on which the image may be distributed.
Any restrictions or obligations (e.g., crediting the author’s name).

Without such permission, the use of the photograph is illegal and may lead to penalties.

Creative Commons Licenses: An Alternative

Some photographs are made available under Creative Commons (CC) licenses, which allow more flexible use provided that the specific conditions of each license are respected. The main CC licenses include:

CC BY (Attribution): Allows use, modification, and distribution of the work, provided the author is credited.
CC BY-SA (Attribution – ShareAlike): Allows use and modification, but derivative works must be shared under the same license.
CC BY-ND (Attribution – NoDerivs): Allows use, but no modifications of the original work.
CC BY-NC (Attribution – NonCommercial): Allows non-commercial use, with credit to the author.
CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution – NonCommercial – ShareAlike): Allows non-commercial use, with credit and sharing under the same license.
CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution – NonCommercial – NoDerivs): Only allows non-commercial use of the original work, with no modifications.

It is essential to check the license associated with each image and strictly adhere to its terms.

Image Banks: A Secure Source

To avoid legal risks associated with using photos found on the Internet, it is recommended to use image banks. These platforms offer licensed photographs with clear and secure usage terms. Among the most popular platforms are:

Free image banks: Pexels, Unsplash, Pixabay.
Paid image banks: Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images.

Using these platforms ensures that copyright laws are respected and usage conditions are transparent.

The Risks of Unauthorized Use

Unauthorized use of a photograph can lead to several consequences:

Civil penalties: The author may seek compensation for damages, which can include financial restitution.
Criminal penalties: In cases of proven infringement, fines and prison sentences may be imposed.
Image removal: The platform or website publishing the image may be required to take it down.

It is therefore essential to ensure that all images used are legally obtained and comply with copyright regulations.

✅ En Résumé

Respectez le droit d’auteur : Toute photographie est protégée dès sa création.
Obtenez une autorisation explicite de l’auteur avant toute utilisation.
Vérifiez les licences Creative Commons et respectez leurs conditions.
Privilégiez les banques d’images pour une utilisation sécurisée.
Évitez les risques juridiques en vous assurant de la légalité de chaque image utilisée.

En tant qu’agence de photographie, nous mettons un point d’honneur à respecter les droits d’auteur et à promouvoir une utilisation éthique et légale des images. Et si vous avez des besoins en photographie, n’hésitez pas à nous contacter.

✅ In Summary

Respect copyright: Every photograph is protected from the moment it is created.
Obtain explicit permission from the author before any use.
Check Creative Commons licenses and follow their terms.
Use image banks for safe and legal use.
Avoid legal risks by ensuring each image is used lawfully.

As a photography agency, we are committed to respecting copyright and promoting the ethical and legal use of images. If you have photography needs, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Écrit par Jérémy Carlo

Jérémy Carlo is the editorial director at Rétines, where he ensures the consistency and clarity of all content produced by the studio. His role goes beyond writing—he shapes the tone, structures the messages, and upholds a precise, demanding editorial line that stays true to the identity of Rétines. With a background in visual communication and solid experience in content strategy, he bridges the technical world of photography with clear, no-frills writing.

Jérémy works closely with photographers, art directors, and the commercial team to make sure every word published serves the image, the message, and the brand. From blog articles and client presentations to social media posts and internal documents—everything is filtered through his attentive eye. His strength lies in making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying, and in highlighting the studio’s work without relying on unnecessary superlatives.

Through his writing, Jérémy helps Rétines exist beyond the image—by giving context to projects, emphasizing the thinking behind each shoot, and bringing to light the technical and aesthetic choices that drive each photograph.