>    This information (regarding photograpers not owning copyright to
>    the photos they create) is not correct.  When a photographer takes
>    a photograph of an inanimate object, that photographer owns the
>    copyright exclusively to the image he / she has created.  Trust me
>    on this one--the law is very clear.  A photograph of a person is a
>    very different issue and has its own volume of laws concerning
>    permissions.

But what if that photographer was hired to take pictures for an institution
for their use like on commission or staff photographers?  For example, if
I am hired to take pictures of a collection and I agree to give the
museum all my film to be developed and used by them, do I then give up
my copyright?

My line of thought comes from music and art law where if you do something
on commission like a logo or theme music, the person who paid you to
create owns the copyright.  Like Chuck Jones originated and drew the
Looney Toons but he was working for Warner Bros. at the time so they now
own all of his work done while he was working for them even though the
cartoons are his creations.

Deb