Intresting (if not wierd) copywrite question

[jeff martin]

Steve, if ignorance was an excuse, I could do pretty much what ever I wanted when ever I wanted with no fear.

[DAVE PROUTY]

It is not surprising to me that so many people know so little about copyright law. Purchase of prints is not a legal premise for having the right to do whatever you want with the images. A "license" would be required to use images for the stated purpose. US law being the POV from my position.

Since the OP is "near Chicago" US law is probably in effect. But, as has been noted, the department store studio will probably never know about the infringement. Nor even care, being a small image posted to a sharing site. Legally it is infringement, but unless a suit is filed, nothing is to be feared for this kind of violation. Prompt removal upon being "caught" is a good plan.

[km6xz]

To the OP, be a good sport and offer to take her photos for her dating site and give her open rights for reuse. No doubt an interested friend with decent gear and skill can better what she got from the department store.
You might be responsible for her getting that special date that changes her life.....or more likely you will just get blamed for all the toads she meets due to your photo.

Copyright law is simple in theory but in practice there are many conflicting aspects. Being in the music industry for decades I sure was in court a lot over it. As a general rule a single creator of a work is the sole owner of the copyright. From there, the exceptions become really mind boggling complex, because there are seldom sole creators of anything. The contract holds the key to permissible use by the licensee.