How do I avoid copyright infringement when using photo references for Etsy art prints or cards?

Hi! A good rule of thumb is this: using a photo to learn what a flower looks like (shape, colors, anatomy) is usually fine, but using a specific photographer’s composition (same angle, crop, lighting, background, unique arrangement, and distinctive details) and recreating it closely is where “reference” starts turning into an unlicensed derivative copy—and that can be copyright infringement even if you redraw it by hand.

Here’s how most Etsy sellers stay safely on the right side when using photo references:

What’s usually risky (even if you draw it yourself)

• “Same photo, different medium”: tracing, projecting, or redrawing a photo so the pose/composition matches closely.
• Recreating recognizable “signature” elements: identical petal damage patterns, the exact cluster arrangement, the same shadows/highlights, the same background bokeh, etc.
• Using multiple references but still ending up with one clearly identifiable photo match (someone can overlay your art on the photo and it lines up).

What’s usually safer

• Use references for general knowledge, then change the creative choices: new angle, new lighting, new arrangement, different background, different proportions, simplified shapes, stylization, etc.
• Combine multiple references (e.g., petal structure from one source, leaves from another, color palette from real life) so you’re not copying one photographer’s “shot.”
• Create your own reference photos (even quick phone photos). This is the cleanest path for flowers/nature subjects.

Inspiration boards (Pinterest, mood boards)
These are fine for vibe (palette, season, overall aesthetic), but they can get you into trouble if you’re pinning a specific photo and then making a print that clearly mirrors it. If a single pinned image is doing most of the “heavy lifting,” that’s the danger zone.

Licensing options that are Etsy-friendly
If you want to stay extra safe for art prints and cards (which are commercial products), use:

• Your own photos
• Public domain images (truly public domain, not just “found online”)
• Stock photos with a license that explicitly allows commercial use and derivative artwork
• Creative Commons images only if the license allows commercial use and derivatives, and you follow the required attribution rules (some CC licenses don’t allow commercial use, and some don’t allow derivatives at all)

Practical “safety checks” before you list

• If you put your art next to the reference photo, would a stranger say “that’s the same picture”?
• Did you trace it (even loosely) or match the exact outline? If yes, don’t use it.
• Is the composition/angle/background basically identical? If yes, rework it.
• Could the original photographer reasonably recognize their image as the base? If yes, assume it’s too close.

One more important note (Etsy side)
Even if you believe something is “fair use,” it’s not a reliable shield for selling prints/cards, and platforms can still remove listings after a complaint. For Etsy listings, the safest approach is to use your own references or properly licensed images, and avoid close one-to-one recreations of any single photo you found online.

If you tell me the type of art you’re making (realistic botanical, line art, watercolor, collage, etc.) and how closely you tend to match the photo (same pose vs. just general flower structure), I can suggest a workflow that keeps you creative and low-risk.