An image shot by a photographer is automatically copyrighted by the photographer and/or the organization the photographer is affiliated with. Transferring rights is only done through a contract duly signed.
These rules are so simple but are totally misconstrued by individuals… No one has access to your images and there is no legal binding, whether it’s a venue, a band or their promoter until a contract is signed. This contractual agreement is mutually decided beforehand and not after the event.