Published in England by the Association of Photographers (AOP), Beyond the Lens is the essential guide to rights, ethics and business practice in professional photography.

Now in its third edition it has been likened to 'the bible for photographers and commissioners' and is used by colleges/universities as part of their courses and widely used by photographers and commissioners.

This 3rd edition of Beyond the Lens has two parts to it:

• The Business of Photography: covers copyright, moral rights, contract law, privacy, photographing children, late payment and any legislation that photographers need to be aware of together with advice on tax; VAT; accounting; bookkeeping; insurance; limited companies; pensions etc; collecting societies and marketing.
• Making a Living: is written by photographers on their specific area of photography and from their perspective - advertising; photojournalism/editorial; corporate and design; stock libraries; digital; websites; working abroad; being an assistant and making the transition.

New re-usage guidelines are included encompassing different media (eg ambient, intranet, marketing aids), higher percentages for internet use and notes for guidance. Throughout the book are web links to relevant sites, either giving more in depth information; up to date legislative changes or on-line services.

An appendix includes 3 sets of photographers' terms and conditions for those based either in England & Wales, Scotland or Eire; property releases, extended model releases (for adults and children) in addition to business forms and templates.

Foreword by Mary McCartney

"This is the third edition of Beyond The Lens. Calling on experts from the photographic industry, it covers the business and legal aspects that photographers need to be aware of today - thus leaving more time to concentrate on the creative side of things.

The fact that the AOP is a well respected organisation that fights for photographers' rights means that you can rest assured that you are being guided by sound facts and advice.

The AOP has access to a range of experts who have contributed to this book, from media law specialists to photographic agents. As a photographer it has been particularly helpful to me because it highlights the issues that can arise when planning a professional photo shoot. For example if I'm shooting on location - I may need to apply for parking permits, contact local authorities etc. Another area that we can all too easily forget is obtaining clearance forms at the time, from sitters. Without a model release form unnecessary problems can arise and time is wasted having to go back to people to ask them to sign off.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the AOP for assembling all this information into one comprehensive and relatively easy to understand reference book. It helps to highlight awareness of all of the aspects that you have to think about before, during and after a photographic shoot."

Mary McCartney
Professional Photographer

Mary first started working within photography as a picture researcher for a music book publisher, and she worked archiving her mother's photographs. This natural progression inspired her to pick up a camera and start taking pictures herself. Since then Mary has had work published in NYLON, New York Times Magazine, Harpers and Queen, Elle, Sunday Times Magazine and more.

DEDICATION: The Beyond the Lens website is dedicated to the memory of photographer Stephanie Colasanti who loved photography, travel and people - particularly young people. Stephanie's extensive and much revered travel library was sold on her death and the proceeds kindly donated to the AOP by her daughter. These monies have enabled us to reproduce our book online and spread the word of protecting photographers' rights to a worldwide audience.