Policies & copyright

Copyright notice & image use

All photographs, images and other creative content on this website (the “Images”) are © Jis K Joseph / Reflections Studios, all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted. The Images are protected by the United States Copyright Act (Title 17 of the U.S. Code) and by international copyright treaties.

Ownership

Under U.S. law, copyright belongs to the author of a work from the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form (17 U.S.C. §§ 102, 201(a)). For photographs, the author is the photographer. Being the subject of a photograph, appearing in it, being related to someone in it, or paying for the photography session does not transfer ownership of the copyright.

Exclusive rights

As the copyright owner, the photographer holds the exclusive rights to reproduce the Images, prepare derivative works based on them (including editing, cropping, applying filters, or combining them with other material), distribute copies, and display them publicly (17 U.S.C. § 106). No one else may exercise these rights without written permission.

Usage licenses are not ownership

When a client hires Reflections Studios, the client receives a license to use the delivered photographs, as described in that client's written agreement (for example, personal printing, or sharing online with credit to the photographer). The license does not transfer copyright. Unless a written agreement says otherwise, licensed use is personal and non-commercial, and selling, licensing to others, entering in contests, or commercial use requires the photographer's written permission.

Works made for hire

A photograph is a “work made for hire” owned by someone other than the photographer only if it was taken by an employee within the scope of employment, or if the work falls into a category allowed by law and both parties have signed a written agreement expressly stating that it is a work made for hire (17 U.S.C. §§ 101, 201(b)). Reflections Studios does not create works made for hire unless a signed written agreement specifically says so.

Registration and enforcement

Copyright protection is automatic and does not require registration. Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is, however, generally required before a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work may be filed (17 U.S.C. § 411(a)), and timely registration makes statutory damages and attorneys' fees available (17 U.S.C. § 412). Statutory damages may range from $750 to $30,000 per work infringed, and up to $150,000 per work for willful infringement (17 U.S.C. § 504(c)). Removing or altering copyright management information, such as a watermark, credit line or embedded metadata, may also violate 17 U.S.C. § 1202.

What is not allowed

• Downloading, copying, saving, screenshotting, or “scraping” Images from this website for any purpose other than viewing them here.
• Reposting, printing, publishing, or sharing Images without written permission and proper credit.
• Editing, cropping, filtering, or removing watermarks, credits, or metadata from any Image.
• Using Images in advertising, on products, or for any commercial purpose without a written license.
• Using Images to train, fine-tune, or prompt artificial-intelligence or machine-learning systems.

To request permission or a license, contact email@jiskjoseph.com.

Clients: photos delivered to you through a private gallery link may be downloaded and used as described in your written agreement. Private gallery links are personal; please don't share them publicly.

Terms of use

By using this website, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the site.

Use of the website

This website is provided to showcase the work of Reflections Studios and to let prospective clients get in touch. You may view it for personal, non-commercial purposes. You agree not to misuse the site, including by attempting to gain unauthorized access, interfering with its operation, submitting false or abusive inquiries, or using automated tools to copy its content.

Private galleries

Private gallery links and any passwords are provided only to the intended client. You agree to keep them confidential. Links expire on the date shown, after which the photos are no longer available through the link. Reflections Studios may disable a link at any time.

Inquiries and bookings

Sending an inquiry does not create a booking or a contract. A booking is confirmed only by a signed written agreement and any required deposit. Pricing and availability are subject to change until confirmed in writing.

No warranties; limitation of liability

The website is provided “as is” and “as available”, without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Reflections Studios is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the website. Nothing in these terms limits any rights you have under a signed client agreement.

Links

Links to other websites, such as Instagram, are provided for convenience. Reflections Studios is not responsible for the content or practices of those sites.

Governing law and changes

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, USA. Reflections Studios may update these terms from time to time; the effective date above shows when they last changed.

Privacy policy

What we collect

When you send an inquiry, we collect the details you enter: your name, email address, event type, event date, location, and message. Clients who book may also provide a phone number, address, and other details needed for a contract. Like most websites, our server automatically records basic technical information such as your IP address, browser type, and the pages requested, which is used for security and to prevent spam.

How we use it

• To reply to your inquiry and provide photography services.
• To prepare contracts and deliver photos.
• To protect the website against spam and abuse.

We do not sell or rent your personal information, and we do not use it for third-party advertising.

Where it is stored and who sees it

Inquiries and client records are stored on our own server in the United States. Inquiry emails are delivered through Google Workspace, our email provider. This website loads fonts from Google Fonts, which means your browser connects to Google's servers and shares your IP address with Google when the page loads. Instagram links take you to Instagram, which has its own privacy policy.

Cookies

The public pages of this website do not use advertising or analytics cookies. A strictly necessary cookie is set only when you enter a private-gallery password (so you don't have to re-enter it on every page) or when the site owner signs in. These cookies expire when you close your browser.

Retention and your choices

Inquiries are kept for as long as needed to respond and for our business records. You may ask us to access, correct, or delete your personal information at any time by emailing email@jiskjoseph.com. We keep signed contracts as long as required for legal and tax purposes.

Children

This website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them through the website. Photographs of minors are taken only with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

Image removal requests

Reflections Studios respects the people we photograph. If you appear in a photo on this website and would like it removed, or if you believe a photo is shown here in error, please email email@jiskjoseph.com with a description of the photo, the page where it appears, and your relationship to it. We review every request promptly and in good faith, and we will remove the image from the public website where appropriate, particularly for photos of minors or where a release was not obtained.

If you believe something on this website infringes your copyright, please send a notice to the same address identifying the work, where it appears, and your contact information, along with a statement that you have a good-faith belief the use is not authorized.

Accessibility

We want everyone to be able to use this website. If you have difficulty with any part of it, or need information in a different format, please email email@jiskjoseph.com and we'll be glad to help.