The Registers of Deeds own the images.  I have seen where there's a right to ACCESS information, I have never seen anything that states someone is able to photograph public records.  Please provide the statute/clause. 

Bottom line, the Registers of Deeds -- at least here in Michigan -- own the images and that may be how they are side-stepping the statute.  Anyone can have ACCESS -- that doesn't mean that anyone can have a copy of it for free.