fascinating creature!

One of the first things photographers need to understand when creating a website is that the music we use for our sites and slideshows is subject to the same copyright laws and protection as our own photographs. Simply purchasing a music file on a site like iTunes does not provide you with a license for commercial use, much the same as a customer purchasing one of your prints does not in turn allow them to publish your work in a magazine promoting their business. Whatever you play on websites, blogs, or anything advertising your business in any way, should be royalty-free and / or licensed. Fortunately there are several stock music sites and amazing artists out there who are more than willing to help you out.

photo above taken by Bonnie Berry – bonnieberryphotography.com

One of my absolute favorite of these artists is Frances England. I have been using her music for my business since 2007 and I’m constantly asked by clients where they can purchase the songs. They’re cute, catchy, and incredibly infectious. (I dare you not to bust out into a smile when “Daddy-o” starts playing!) And now she has graciously offered to provide a guest post / interview here at Paperie Boutique. Frances England is an Oppenheim Platinum Music Award winner who has been featured in Cookie Magazine, Real Simple, Parenting Magazine, and the LA Times (just to name a few). Please read on…

Hi there! My name is Frances England and I make indie-folk music for kids and families. For the last couple of years I’ve been collaborating with photographers who want to add a musical component to their websites and client slideshows. For a small annual licensing fee, I allow these artists to use my songs to compliment their photographs. The photographers I’ve worked with have told me that being able to synchronize my music to their pictures has added a whole new layer of emotion and connection for their clients and has been especially effective in enhancing their slideshow presentations.

While my sound has been compared to Norah Jones, Sarah McLaughlin and Liz Phair, the lyrics to my songs are rooted in family life, the wonders of watching our children grow and the joys of simple, everyday routines (making blueberry pancakes, digging in the dirt, watching fireflies, riding tricycles). Being a very visual person myself, I’m really grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with photographers and love the sense of community we’ve developed together along the way.

If you are interested in checking out my music, please visit my website at www.francesengland.com. For more information on licensing, please email me at frances@francesengland.com.

Happy New Year and good luck with your business in 2010!
-Frances England

Thank you so much for your time, Frances—please contact her about licensing her music to add to your own websites and slideshows!

Want more information about licensed and royalty-free music? Please visit:

1. “Photographers Using Music on Websites”
2. BMI Digital Licensing Center
3. “License to Thrill“

Purchase / download royalty free and licensed music for your photography site:

1. francesengland.com
2. triplescoopmusic.com
3. redbeardmusic.com
4. stock20.com
5. musicbakery.com
6. shaunpaul.com/licensing/
7. freshmusic.com
8. musicloops.com
9. beatsuite.com
10. studiocutz.com
11. pumpaudio.com
12. gregmaroney.com
13. productiontrax.com
14. chrisworthproductions.com
15. royaltyfreeclassicalmusic.co.uk

Please feel free to place additional websites / artists / links in the comments!

More new guest post features are currently in the works! If you’re interested in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

tag you're it: artist • business • guest post • license • licensed • marketing • materials • MP3 • music • photographer • photography • royalty free • slideshows • stock music • supplies • website