Can I print professional photos at Walmart or Walgreens?

The photographer owns the copyright to the pictures. You will need a release from the photographer before a lab will print the files. You should have asked for the release when the photographer handed you the CD.

The photopgrapher is the owner of the copyright of any photographs he/she has taken. As such, Walgreens or any other photo service lab would be infringing on the copyrights of the photographs of they were to make enlargements of them. Making copies on a CD has nothing to with releasing the photographs. Only the photographer can do that.

According to copyright law, the photographer owns copyright to any photo he/she takes the moment they press the shutter-release button. Unless the photo was a 'work made for hire' then the person who hired the photographer to take the photos owns copyright. The only way that would apply is if you payed a session fee (paying for time) and if you didn't sign a contract that stated that the photographer owns copyrights of photos. If you did pay a session fee and the signed contract does not state that the photographer owns copyright over photos, then you are the rightfull owner to the photos. That is unless the law has changed from 2 years ago. Try looking it up to make sure.