Photography & Photo Sales Policy
1. Purpose
This policy outlines the principles and practices of the Company in relation to the capture, use, and sale of photographs taken by its photographers for editorial and journalistic purposes. It also addresses matters related to consent, copyright, and public access to images.
2. Editorial Consent and Use
Photographs taken by the Company’s photographers are intended for editorial use across print, digital, and social media platforms. By participating in a photoshoot, interview, or public event where a Company photographer is present, individuals provide implied consent for their image to be used editorially.
Under Australian law, individuals in public spaces generally do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy and do not need to provide explicit permission to be photographed.
3. Copyright Ownership
All photographs captured by the Company’s photographers remain the intellectual property of the Company. The Company retains full copyright and licensing rights. Purchasing an image through the Pic Store or any other channel does not transfer copyright to the buyer.
4. Commercial Availability – Pic Store
Images published by the Company may be made available for purchase through the Company’s photo sales platform, the Pic Store. This standard offering enables community members to obtain high-quality photographs from covered events or features.
This service plays an important role in supporting the commercial sustainability of local journalism. Since published images can often be copied or reproduced informally, the Pic Store provides a formal, ethical, and reliable way for the public to access and enjoy these images.
5. Image Removal Requests
The Company will consider requests to remove images from the Pic Store on a case-by-case basis. Requests must be submitted in writing and will be reviewed in line with legal, editorial, and public interest considerations.
In exceptional circumstances—such as legal obligations or significant safety concerns—the Company may approve full removal of an image from its systems.
6. Editorial Framing and Presentation
All photographs are edited and cropped according to layout, design, and editorial standards. The Company does not alter or frame images in a way that misrepresents, exploits, or sensationalises subjects.
7. Contact
For all inquiries, including image removal requests, please contact:
Email: editor@starnewsgroup.com.au
