George Zimbel has been a professional photographer for over 60 years, has photographed Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1950, and a particular photo he took of Jacqueline & John F. Kennedy caused quite a stir 40 years later when The New York Times tried to claim ownership of his historic image. George stood up to The New York Times for himself and freelancers as a whole.
Many media companies are often at odds with freelance writers and photographers over who owns the words and images once they have appeared in print.
What follows is an exchange of letters about a single picture. It was triggered by an e-mail from the photographer, George S. Zimbel, to Barbara Cox of Photokunst, a consulting firm for both individual photographers and archives, including The New York Times archives.
Who owns this picture? George S. Zimbel — not The New York Times.
Continue reading the back and fourth between George and New York Times’ legal counsel and see how Mr Zimbel secured the return of his original print.
Also be sure to keep up on George’s blog displaying some very vintage photographs taken throughout his career!
