Fair use of others photographs

Bluefoam

If an individual is commissioned to produce a bespoke product by their employer, but leaves that employer eventually... The company then hires a photographer to photograph the object which they then publish across social media. Can the individual then share those photographs as an illustration of personal portfolio?

CelticRambler

You can share a link to the photos without infringing any rules, and you can share/retweet the social media post in accordance with each platform's T&Cs. If you're thinking of downloading a photo and incorporating it into your own printed or online presentation, you're heading into muddy waters.

Bluefoam

Thanks, that all makes sense.

magicbastarder

you don't own any copyright/design over the item itself, but no harm in contacting the old employer (assuming you left on good terms!) asking can you use the photo. this may be muddied by whether the photographer retained ownership of the rights to the photo, which may be further muddied by this not having been clarified between your old employer and the photographer in the first place.

but if your old employer does have the rights to the photo, there's no harm in asking can you use it.