Wedding clients who request not making images public

[Christopher Steven b]

I've had this request before, but it's never been so painful for me as it was after shooting what I think is my best wedding to date (privacy of photos was requested at the booking). Ouch. At least the clients and their friends and zeus and the other gods know..

So I was curious, what do some of you include in your contract that reserves your right to use images ? Do you have a 'privacy clause' that requires an additional fee if they insist on the images not being used ?

It's a weird kind of move--pay me to keep the images private--and so any pointers on the kind of wording you include in your contract to make it seem less strange would be helpful.

thanks a lot !

[scorpio_e]

I have a model release in my contract.

If the client does not want me to post the images, I remove the model release and don't post the images.

Pretty straight forward

[Christopher Steven b]

Got it. I'm probably in a different position than you--I'm just starting my second year of shooting in this city (Ottawa, Ontario) and need all the images I can get. I was also shooting at a venue that I'd love to be able to work at again.

The point is that I'm losing (marketing) value by not being able to use images in the way I would expect to be able to as the artist. So it seems reasonable to have an additional fee to at least approach offsetting this.

[Zansho]

I agree. How much is the fee, is up to you. Question you should be asking - how much is the loss of the ability to use the images for promotional purposes worth?

Additionally, you could possibly work an agreement with them - instead of web use, maybe just showcase the images in an album or in private sessions with other potential clients? It's not on the web, and you can still show them to clients in face to face meetings.

[Christopher Steven b]

With respect to the first question--it's tough to say. I never would have guessed at the time of contract signing what the venue would look like, what the weather would be, how I would perform etc. But in general, I'm thinking ~$150 as an additional fee.

I should also mention that the request doesn't occur that often and that this is the first and only time I've regretted it (others were very very small weddings, same-sex weddings).

Great idea about an album for private sessions with prospective clients. Brilliant actually, as I need to put together a book for a new package.

[Phil V]

At the end of the day it's the customers choice, it would look desperate if we charged customers for privacy, and I'd guess that attitude would just lose you the booking.

it's frustrating, but sometimes we just have to roll with these things.

[nicksan]

Originally Posted by scorpio_e

I have a model release in my contract.

If the client does not want me to post the images, I remove the model release and don't post the images.

Pretty straight forward

Same here. And if they somehow overlooked that, I end up posting the images, and they want me to take it down, I would take it down.

Happy clients = referrals...

[bnlearle]

I've never done the private thing. It's come up maybe once? And I explained my POV and the couple realized they don't actually care.

If the only reason is "I just don't want them out there...", I'd charge a decent amount for privacy (prob something like $2k?). I don't just shoot for my couples -- I also shoot for me (which I think is better for my couples in the long run).

If there was a legit reason like the groom being an undercover agent, or something, I'd do it free.

Most people who voice the concern, imo, don't ACTUALLY care. They sort of feel like they SHOULD care. I've built and maintained my business off of a few key things...

1. I shoot a small amount of weddings (usually 10 a year).
2. I show recent weddings.
3. I show every wedding.

If I had two brides say they don't want their photos posted, that's 20% of my weddings I can't show. So it matters to me. And it usually doesn't matter to the couples (when they think they care).

My most recent client meeting was for a current Prime Minister of a huge country (can't name it). For that wedding, I will have to be private -- and that's fine and understandable to me. Same goes with celebrity weddings. Those are different markets that REQUIRE privacy.

[bnlearle]

Originally Posted by nicksan

Same here. And if they somehow overlooked that, I end up posting the images, and they want me to take it down, I would take it down.

Happy clients = referrals...

This makes good sense, as well. It just depends on how you run your business This wouldn't work for me but I know it works for many.

[MidnightUK]

You knew where you stood when you took the contract. If you could not respect thier wishes, you should have told them at the time. It is shoddy to expect customers to pay for privacy. Have you thought about why they might need it?
- Hiding any pre-existing children from hostile ex partners or relatives
- A past abusive/violent relationship
- Problems with a stalker
- They may be military or law enforcement officials
Really, you want people who may be in this position and too uncomfortable to tell you, or legally bound not to tell you - to pay for common privacy? Shame on your selfishness and desire to put yourself first.

[Christopher Steven b]

^ I'm not charging this client for privacy, nor showing their photos without their permission. I'm asking for future clients.

[bnlearle]

Originally Posted by MidnightUK

You knew where you stood when you took the contract. If you could not respect thier wishes, you should have told them at the time. It is shoddy to expect customers to pay for privacy. Have you thought about why they might need it?
- Hiding any pre-existing children from hostile ex partners or relatives
- A past abusive/violent relationship
- Problems with a stalker
- They may be military or law enforcement officials
Really, you want people who may be in this position and too uncomfortable to tell you, or legally bound not to tell you - to pay for common privacy? Shame on your selfishness and desire to put yourself first.

Geez... take it easy.

[Peacefield]

I've had it come up for very good reasons. For instance, one was a cop who did high-risk work and needed to ensure his privacy.

It's not about what the contract says, it's about your relationship with your clients. I enjoy including new work in my on-line portfolio after each and every wedding. If they don't want their photos used, not a big deal; I'm cool with that. But if I come back to them with just a few that I'd like to use, they're cool with that, too (for instance, a bridal portrait that didn't include the cop groom).

[Christopher Steven b]

Just curious: why does the 'legitimacy' of the reason have bearing on whether or not you (might) charge extra for privacy if it hurts you marketing wise in the same way ?

The 'I also shoot for me' point is more relevant to me at this time than in the past. The more weddings I shoot the more the work feels like it should be public in some sense--even marketing aside. So I suppose what I'm really saying is that (short of shooting for czars 'n' stuff) I'd like to work with clients who also appreciate this perspective.

Thanks for weighing in, bobby.

Originally Posted by bnlearle

I've never done the private thing. It's come up maybe once? And I explained my POV and the couple realized they don't actually care.

If the only reason is "I just don't want them out there...", I'd charge a decent amount for privacy (prob something like $2k?). I don't just shoot for my couples -- I also shoot for me (which I think is better for my couples in the long run).

If there was a legit reason like the groom being an undercover agent, or something, I'd do it free.

Most people who voice the concern, imo, don't ACTUALLY care. They sort of feel like they SHOULD care. I've built and maintained my business off of a few key things...

1. I shoot a small amount of weddings (usually 10 a year).
2. I show recent weddings.
3. I show every wedding.

If I had two brides say they don't want their photos posted, that's 20% of my weddings I can't show. So it matters to me. And it usually doesn't matter to the couples (when they think they care).

My most recent client meeting was for a current Prime Minister of a huge country (can't name it). For that wedding, I will have to be private -- and that's fine and understandable to me. Same goes with celebrity weddings. Those are different markets that REQUIRE privacy.

[scorpio_e]

I know how you feel. During my first wedding consultation, the clients said they wanted to keep their wedding images private. My heat sunk as I was expecting this to help my almost non existent portfolio. I accepted their terms and photographed their wedding. I did pick out my favorite image and asked the bride if it was ok to post it and she gave me her approval.

Since her wedding, I have photographed two other events for her. In the end, it all worked out.