I don't usually talk about this kind of thing, but it's been coming up more often and I'd like to address what you can expect of me, and what I expect of you.

You NEVER have to worry about me posting something here that you wouldn't want made public. If there's a photo of yourself you don't like, either on the blog or the full gallery, just ask me and I'll take it down. If you say something "gossip worthy" or something secret, I'm not going to print it here because I'm not a gossip and it's just not relevant to the photos. Besides, I'm a Scorpio. We know how to keep a secret.

I don't do this for a living. Most of the bands I shoot are for my own personal enjoyment. No one is entitled to use my photos without my permission. I don't get paid very often, and usually pay the cover to get in and my own drinks. I make all these photos available for free because I like to. On the very rare occasion that someone asks if they can get a hi-res/no watermark version, I charge a nominal fee to cover some of my costs.

If you think that you deserve a hi-res copy just because you're in the photo, you're wrong. It's my photo, not yours. I OWN THE COPYRIGHT the moment I click the shutter. I don't give away hi-res versions just because you'd like to use it for a poster or flier. In a way, everything I shoot is on speculation that someone will want to buy it at some point. Usually, that's the person in the shot.

I've worked hard to acquire the skills necessary to make an image that you consider worth the effort of removing my watermark. Now please don't. If you crop off my watermark and post the photo, I consider that STEALING. If you black out my watermark, that's STEALING. I'll bet you wouldn't want me using one of your songs on the front page of my website without your permission, right?

Please use my photos in their ORIGINAL CONDITION for email and social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace. I love to see bands post my shots as long as the whole shot is visible, watermark and all.

Please DON'T use my watermarked photos for fliers, posters, postcards, personal or band websites without checking with me first. When in doubt, ask me. If I ask you for money, please don't get upset. Consider it the cheapest pro-level photo shoot you ever booked.

Sorry if I sound mean, but I get sad when both friends and strangers use my work without asking me first.