LouEllen

I am in the process of trying to start a photography business. I've taken several classes over the past year, invested a good amount of money into this endeavor, and have seen my skills improve dramatically.

So.... I offered to take my granddaughter's senior pics free of charge. That went really well. Then I offered to take some maternity shots for someone (also free of charge). I did this to get some practice.

Here's what has me a wee bit ticked: I sent a preview of about 6 photos to the pregnant woman. She loved them and thanked me profusely. That's great! Then, she asked if she could share them on Facebook. Of course! (You know, I can use the recognition). So.... she combined 3 or 4 shots into one 'frame' and COMPLETELY REMOVED MY SIGNATURE! She did mention me in the post, but only by first name, and thanked me.

Am I being a little too sensitive here? I don't mind her sharing the photos. Not at all. I just don't like the fact that she took the liberty of removing my signature and cropping the photos to fit her frame.

I think I will be watermarking all future Facebook postings. But in the meantime, I am a bit ticked.

Lou Ellen

wtompkins Loc: Northern Michigan

You have a right to be ticked; I would be, too!
Have you said anything to her about it?

I took some newborn pics of my nieces baby, and my stepdaughter then took it and made an ugly "instagram" photo with it. Both myself and the niece were upset. I've since added a tag to my posts, along the lines of :"tag and share all you want, but do not alter the image or remove my logo."

titan1 Loc: SC Lowcountry

Go on her Fb page and put your contact info as a comment on the pics!!!

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Personally, I don't think you have any reason to be "ticked-off". You gave her permission to post your pics on FB. If you expected more, then you should have outlined it more clearly. Tell her she can only post if your full name is clearly visible somewhere. If you told her this, then ask her why she didn't, then ask her to remove them from FB and tell her she cannot use them again. You don't need a watermark to enforce copyright; you just need a good lawyer.

To me, it doesn't sound like you are quite ready to go into business. You might have the photography skills, but there is a huge part of owning your own business that is not easily learned. Use this as a learning experience. Take your emotion out of things next time. Clearly write down your expectations and have your clients sign that they understand them. Good luck.

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

I think you shouldn't give anyone else permission to post the photos to Facebook or any other photo or media site unless you have them sign aa agreement detailing how it can be used.

LouEllen

Trust me, I learned a lesson from this. I will definitely be more careful in the future.

Lou Ellen

LouEllen

Good advice. Thanks.

Lou Ellen

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Of course you should be ticked off - at yourself! YOU did not set the expectations/limitations. You GAVE here the images and she just figured she could do as she wished, and since you did not state otherwise...she did.

You did not make a business transaction, you made a hobbyist transaction.

LouEllen

Regardless, I am a bit ticked off. If I went to the trouble to mark them with a signature, it should be very obvious that I don't want her to turn right around and remove that signature. You are right, though, about me not making myself clear. I thought since she is a friend that I wouldn't have this issue. As for getting an attorney, I'm not that upset. I took for her and her husband. The rest will be posted to my own site first, then she can post and I will definitely be telling her I do not want my signature removed from the photos.

And, yes, I will be coming up with a contract prior to any more photo shoots. But I will be starting the business. I have successfully run a business for many years. It just wasn't photography-related.

After I posted here, I discussed this issue with my husband and told him I am a bit ticked, but mostly glad it happened now so I know what not to do in the future. You see, I do learn from my mistakes.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Lou Ellen

Personally, I don't think you have any reason to be "ticked-off". You gave her permission to post your pics on FB. If you expected more, then you should have outlined it more clearly. Tell her she can only post if your full name is clearly visible somewhere. If you told her this, then ask her why she didn't, then ask her to remove them from FB and tell her she cannot use them again. You don't need a watermark to enforce copyright; you just need a good lawyer.

To me, it doesn't sound like you are quite ready to go into business. You might have the photography skills, but there is a huge part of owning your own business that is not easily learned. Use this as a learning experience. Take your emotion out of things next time. Clearly write down your expectations and have your clients sign that they understand them. Good luck.[/quote]

jimni2001 Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

I have to agree here with CaptainC. Take it as a learning lesson and be glad it was done as a favor. It does not sound like she was trying to be malicious so you might just tell her that you would appreciate it if she would give your whole name or the name of your studio because you want the exposure. I do not see why she would not do this.

LouEllen

Very true, Captain. You can be sure it won't happen again. As I mentioned to someone else, after giving this some thought, I am glad it happened. It was a great learning experience and I am taking some important information away from it. So, nothing lost on this one!

Lou Ellen

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

You have a right to be a little upset. But I hope ypu learn your lesson; to say it is OK but do not alter the photos in any way.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

In the future, your "Preview" pics should be very small and have a noticeable "Proof" or "Preview" across a part of the picture that is not easy for most people to take out. Then if they want the full res file or prints, have them sign a contract and include a statement on your expectations regarding them posting them anywhere online.

sdemaagd Loc: Michigan

I have a question...I do include in my contract how people are supposed to include my name with any photos they post online or use in any way other than a printed, personal photo book or photos printed to put in frames...however, a few family members of a recent bride have posted some photos I took of them at the wedding...I guess I'm figuring they didn't sign the contract, so they don't know what's in it (the bride was given a license to reproduce photos)...but should I do anything about this? My name is not included in any way in these posts by "third parties..."

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Here is the problem- once you let digital files out of your control you can kiss your copyright goodbye. Sure, you still own the copyright, but enforcing it against any infringement by the public is impossible from a practical standpoint. If General Motors used an image, that would be worth pursuing, but even then, unless you registered the image with the government, getting a lawyer to take the case would be futile.

Do you have in your contract that the bride will not share/sell/transfer the images to a third party?

We have to rely on people following the rules and if they don't. Well....they don't. You need to charge enough for any digital file that you don't care what they do with it. It is just the way it is.