I was at the mall the other day with my grandson waiting in line to have his picture taken with Santa when I thought of an idea that maybe some of you already do and was wanting to get your thoughts and ideas. How about if you had a kiosk at the mall where the people who just had their kids picture taken with Santa bring it to you and you make t-shirts, mousepads, coffee mugs, etc. with it? It could be personalized with their name and date. You could hand out flyers to the people in line to advertise. Has anyone done this?
Good idea, right up to the point you inquire about the rent in a mall... particularly for the holidays.
Good point. I'm sure the rent would be sky high. How about instead of having a separate kiosk have something set up right there with the people who run the Santa pictures and they get a percentage of your profits for the space?
I would think you'd need to work something out with the people taking the photos, since photographs can be copyrighted, you don't want to use their photos without permission, especially while taking profits that they could construe as being theirs. (even though it's really 2 separate things)
Hello,
I have seen people doing this in photography studios. They take pictures with different background and customize different items.
Its a wonderful way to start!
I would think you'd need to work something out with the people taking the photos, since photographs can be copyrighted, you don't want to use their photos without permission, especially while taking profits that they could construe as being theirs. (even though it's really 2 separate things)
I didn't think about a copyright. But wouldn't it be hard for them to have a copyright on all those pictures? Do they have a "blanket" copyright that would cover all pictures that they take? I always thought once you purchase a personal photograph its yours to do whatever you want to to with it.
The law provides that the transfer of ownership of any material object that is protected by copyright, does not of itself, convey any rights to the copyright. For example, the purchaser of a copyrighted photograph, painting or poster, intended for display purposes, does not acquire any right to copy, reproduce or use the work other than for its intended purpose.
I always thought once you purchase a personal photograph its yours to do whatever you want to to with it.
That is where you can get in trouble. Professional photographers own the rights to their photos and can sell them ! I have a friend who started her own line of doggy items by licensing rights to photos taken by other professional photographers. Some photographers DO sell you rights, if you want ... had one dog photographer offer the 'negatives' for an additional charge.. then it WAS yours to do as you wished.
I carry some of her items in my booth. It's interesting the reactions I get from folks who recognize their dogs and didn't realize the picture could be sold.
You have a decent idea (and why limit yourself to Christmas ... folks take pictures at Valentines Day, Easter, etc). But, since malls are mini-corporate barons, often it's difficult to sort through all their rules... perhaps you can find a small, independent store that would be interested or already has it's own Santa Claus, etc.
We had Santa come to our local grocery store and the only way folks got pictures was if they brought their own camera.
I took my son to have his picture taken with Santa tonight and came away with the photos on a USB drive and a copyright release. People who choose that option could walk right over to you and get a mug or shirt...
Idea for Next Christmas 
