independent contractor photographer rights, 1099, ASMP Colorado

Independent Contractor or Employee? Understanding your Legal Rights.

By Susan GoddardOctober 19, 2025Categories: Assisting, Chapter News, LegalTags: assisting, Legal

If you work as a photography assistant, you’ve probably filled out a W-9 and received a 1099, meaning you’re classified as an independent contractor. That’s standard in the photo industry, but it also changes how you’re paid, taxed..

AI & Photography: A Field Guide for ASMP Members (2025)

By Susan GoddardSeptember 22, 2025Categories: Ai, Chapter News, LegalTags: Ai, Ai Copyright, Legal

What do we mean by “AI” here?

Generative image models (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Firefly) create or transform pictures from prompts, image-to-image, or in-painting.

LLMs (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude) are text systems—great for briefs, treatments, estimates, captions, keywording, and research, but they don’t create photos; they plan and describe.