# Can I legally paint a photograph without infringing on the copyright

lionvaplus.com · August 6, 2026

> Painting a photograph without permission from the copyright holder, usually the photographer, may infringe on their copyright. In the US, only the...

Painting a photograph without permission from the copyright holder, usually the photographer, may infringe on their copyright. In the US, only the owner of copyright in a work has the right to prepare or authorize any derivative works based on that work. Thus, creating a painting based on a photograph without permission could be considered copyright infringement. To avoid infringement, it is recommended to obtain permission from the copyright holder before using a photograph as a reference for a painting. This may involve contacting the photographer directly or using a stock photo service that provides permission for commercial use. It's important to note that simply using a photograph as a reference may not be infringement, but using it as a tracing basis or directly mimicking the objects within the photograph could be considered infringement or derivative work.

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