What happens to a photographers photos after they die?

I was just thinking with all the deaths from Covid 19 and this question just jumped into my head. Let's say a photographer had thousands of photos they had posted online on various sites and they pass away.  If they have no one to inherit these photos , then what happens to the  photos?  If these photos are on stock photo sites, do  those sites reap the rewards indefinitely as no one is there to 'cash the check'?    

Even with direct or specific inheritor, it is be a good idea
to record all assets and leave them to… say a given chari-
ty, or else. Otherwise, all that is left behind will be lost and
benefit others that one may not have chosen.

But that being the case, who determines the charity?  

The photographer of course… like in a testament.

Vladimir wrote: I was just thinking with all the deaths from Covid 19 and this question just jumped into my head. Let's say a photographer had thousands of photos they had posted online on various sites and they pass away.  If they have no one to inherit these photos , then what happens to the  photos?  If these photos are on stock photo sites, do  those sites reap the rewards indefinitely as no one is there to 'cash the check'?    

Photos are an asset, just like everything else. If someone dies without a family, the estate goes to the government. Something like photographs (which have a copyright) will be liquidated, or given away, or disposed of. If someone acquires them, the trick is to ensure that the copyright transfers with them.

I believe that the photographs of Vivian Meier, a recent example of just such a situation, are under some contention due to a distant relative popping up.

So, if you want to learn more about what could happen, do some googling. Start here:

https://pdnpulse.pdnonline.com/2017/11/federal-court-sustains-vivian-maier-copyright-claim.html

The state administered her estate, and that includes her photographs.

Here's an idea: leave a will.

garyrhook wrote:

Vladimir wrote: I was just thinking with all the deaths from Covid 19 and this question just jumped into my head. Let's say a photographer had thousands of photos they had posted online on various sites and they pass away.  If they have no one to inherit these photos , then what happens to the  photos?  If these photos are on stock photo sites, do  those sites reap the rewards indefinitely as no one is there to 'cash the check'?    

Photos are an asset, just like everything else. If someone dies without a family, the estate goes to the government. Something like photographs (which have a copyright) will be liquidated, or given away, or disposed of. If someone acquires them, the trick is to ensure that the copyright transfers with them.

I believe that the photographs of Vivian Meier, a recent example of just such a situation, are under some contention due to a distant relative popping up.

So, if you want to learn more about what could happen, do some googling. Start here:

https://pdnpulse.pdnonline.com/2017/11/federal-court-sustains-vivian-maier-copyright-claim.html

The state administered her estate, and that includes her photographs.

Here's an idea: leave a will.

Yeah, will is a good to have.  But in the event one wasn't left.  Good read, thank you.

Getting images snakes them up