Clients that don't want their photo's shared on blog/facebook

Hi

I'm relatively new in the game, shoot about one wedding or engagement every 6 weeks or so, and trying to build up my work and portfolio, and eventually go full-time. It's important to me to make the most out of the few events I shoot as far as showing my work.

I'm doing a small wedding in about 2 weeks, but the clients have shown reluctancy in having their photos shared on my facebook page. While I understand where they are coming from, it is also very important for me to be able to share those photos as it shows that I'm a working photographer and also my skill.

If I was a fulltime pro, shooting one wedding a week, it probably wouldn't be a big deal. But since I don't shoot that often, it is important to me to able to show the work to the public.

Thoughts?

The way I see it you have a couple options here. Either tell them it's part of your contract that any pictures you take for professional purposes you are allowed to use for marketing and if they aren't ok with that that they can find another photographer (if possible in 2 weeks) OR You can be the nice guy and abide by their request. The way I see it if you play hardball they'll just spread the word not to hire you since you'll come off looking like a ahole. If you abide by their request I can see them spreading the word and getting you more business. Basically if you're willing to play nice it may work out better.

You probably should have talked about it before you both agreed to work together. I would be polite and comply because since you are just starting out you don't want someone bad mouthing you to future clients.

We are in the process or signing the contract. It's a last minute thing and they just contacted me a couple of days ago. It's stated in the contract that I can use the photos for marketing purposes and I think that's why they raised a concern.

I'm hoping to find a middle ground so I may use a a few of the best photo's at least.

I've been asked a few times not to post the photos on Facebook or my blog and I have obliged with them. Not an issue at all.

Photos of weddings are personal. People may not want them available for the rest of the world to view for good reason. Could be a second marriage, family issues, stalkers, ex-partners to name a few. Me, I'm a private person and a bit vain as well. I really dislike photos of myself and would not want people other than my close family and friends to see photos like this.

I'm always amazed at how photographers assume that they have the right to use photos of people in circumstances such as this. I know that I would lose clients if my contract demanded a model release or similar. Many weddings, probably most don't have photos I would want to use anyway. Should I identify some photos that I could use for this purpose I always ask permission. Just seems like common courtesy/decency to me.

highway0691 wrote in post #15773884
I know that I would lose clients if my contract demanded a model release or similar. Many weddings, probably most don't have photos I would want to use anyway. Should I identify some photos that I could use for this purpose I always ask permission. Just seems like common courtesy/decency to me.

I'm glad you brought this up. I was under the impression that most wedding photog contracts have a clause in there stating that the photos may be used for marketing/blog purposes. Is that not the case?

If told they don't want their images posted online my 1st thought is OK who are you hiding from?

What Joe said

However, maybe the bride is reluctant. Maybe she had a bad experience with some pics in the past and didnt like the way she looked. People can be funny about some things that seem like a no brainer to others.

Why don't you compromise and ask her if you could use 1 or 2 that the 2 of you choose together in your portfolio. Show her the better ones and let her pic from them with you. Allowing her some say might really help. You could also offer a little freebee for it (8x10, free summer session in the coming months after the wedding, im sure you can think of something). I wouldnt get in the habit of it but if you are trying to build a portfolio might wanna think of something to make this work.

Joe Ravenstein wrote in post #15773984
If told they don't want their images posted online my 1st thought is OK who are you hiding from?

And if they're hiding from someone? So what? Is that your business? My clients have every right as far as I'm concerned to privacy.

In fact in my terms and conditions I state;

**** ******** will not use your photos for promotional purposes (website etc) without the
written permission of the clients.

No big deal. Just don't post the photos. It won't hurt you in the long run. Your other option is turn down the job and lose the money.

pstyle1 wrote in post #15773977
I'm glad you brought this up. I was under the impression that most wedding photog contracts have a clause in there stating that the photos may be used for marketing/blog purposes. Is that not the case?

I have this clause and my impression is that this is fairly standard. I could be wrong. However, even if they sign the contract and ask me later to not post any photos on FB, I would happily oblige, no questions asked.

Joe Ravenstein wrote in post #15773984
If told they don't want their images posted online my 1st thought is OK who are you hiding from?

That wouldn't be my 1st thought at all. I've had people in law enforcement and education backgrounds ask me not to post on FB. Perfectly understandable. I've also had couples ask me not to post because they just want privacy. Again, perfectly reasonable.

pstyle1 wrote in post #15773977
I'm glad you brought this up. I was under the impression that most wedding photog contracts have a clause in there stating that the photos may be used for marketing/blog purposes. Is that not the case?

Yes, that is the case. You need written permission to use the shots for promotional purposes (which includes your portfolio / blog etc) and it is simpler to get that written permission built into the contract they sign, than to mess about with a separate model release.

However, clients still have a right to keep their event photos private. If they don't wish to sign the contract with that clause in it, it is also common practice to simply remove it on request.

Of course, you also have the right to say that you reserve the right to only work with that clause still in the contract, and so turn down the work and let the client go to another photographer who won't insist on using the shots. I've always thought that is a foolish attitude unless you are getting plenty of work and can afford to turn clients away (and if you are that busy, you don't need more promotional shots anyway). If you don't do the shoot you still won't have the images to use, so you may as well do it and pocket the fee.

Of course, in the OP's instance here, there is the factor that the wedding is only two weeks away and the clients could be pushed into agreeing because otherwise they won't have a wedding photographer. Getting your way by those means though will not leave you with a happy client, and word of mouth (good or bad) can be very effective in gaining (or losing) future work.

This request will come up from time to time, whilst disappointing it is best to just accept their desire for privacy, get the job done and pocket the fee. You will have more weddings in future to get images from.

In this business you should always aim to have a happy client at the end of the day.

Joe Ravenstein wrote in post #15773984
If told they don't want their images posted online my 1st thought is OK who are you hiding from?

and the next thing to do is check the fbi's most wanted list?

Joe Ravenstein wrote in post #15773984
If told they don't want their images posted online my 1st thought is OK who are you hiding from?

I hope your second thought is "I don't need to know."