Had a request to take down a photo

I shot at a nightclub on Thanksgiving Eve, and took a photo of two girls kissing which from what I can remember from taking it might have been staged for the camera, but I'm not positive.

Anyway, fast forward to a few days ago and I got a very vague email from someone who was looking to have photos taken, or at least I thought wanted photos taken. He wanted to speak with me over the phone and not email which I thought was a tiny bit strange. So, I sent him an email back telling him I'd be happy to give him a call, but would at least like to know what type of photos he's looking to have taken first.

Well, today I got another email from him, and he finally revealed that he didn't want pictures taken at all. He is the boyfriend of one of the girls in the photo, and says she wanted it taken down from my Facebook.

Here is the exact email:

First of all, everyone in attendance knew there was a photographer there because the DJ announced it, so naturally, if you don't want something to show up in photos that you might regret later, then don't do it, or leave.

So, should I tell this guy to go pound sand?

either be a nice guy and take it down if it means so much to them, or do what you're entitled to do legally and keep it up, and look like a dick.

Any reason NOT to take it down? I mean we're talking Facebook here, not delivery to a client. If you were hired by a client to shoot and the person were upset that the client had the photos, that'd be one thing, but Facebook is either a personal or a promotional thing.

People do stupid things when they are drunk, things they don't want the every future employer to see for the rest of their life. You shot this inside a private nightclub, not on the street. I can't imagine why you'd want to leave the photo up if it's causing distress, though you're probably legally allowed to (I am not a lawyer).

I would have to agree with others.. Just because you can leave it up, does not mean you should.
Why would you even want to?

hairy_moth wrote in post #11400028
I would have to agree with others.. Just because you can leave it up, does not mean you should.
Why would you even want to?

Well, the only reason why I want to leave it up is because it's a good photo. Most of my fan base is on Facebook, so that's where most of my business comes from.

I can sympathize with the guy and his girlfriend for wanting it taken down, but I don't appreciate him trying to contact me under false pretenses as a potential client to try and get me to call him so he can play telephone tough guy with me.

I would say take it down, but since he was playing games in the first email. I say F'um

how about you post up the picture and we'll decide for you???

+bajillion

Sounds like you are building a reputation as well as an inspiring business. I personally would just take it down. I believe I saw the said photo on your FB and would say it's not very flattering and I feel so many other images both on your main site and your FB reflect a much higher standard of quality. You seem to capture the "moment" very well and there's a lot of consistency in your work.

Just my 2 cents. I'd rather have a potential client by doing the right thing by someone rather than risk a bad rep.

Best of luck.

gravy graffix wrote in post #11400180
+bajillion

Is that more then a bazillion?

StellaBlue71 wrote in post #11400102
I would say take it down, but since he was playing games in the first email. I say F'um

That's how I'm feeling as well. If he came to me and asked nicely right from the start, I'd have no problems with it, but I don't appreciate when people play games. Even so, I'm leaning towards taking it down because I don't need any negative reviews about myself or my business practices.

TattooedAffliction wrote in post #11400198
I'm leaning towards taking it down because I don't need any negative reviews about myself or my business practices.

So what happens when the next misleading e-mail comes in and the guy wants you to phone him and meet up and return the money he paid for prints, cause he doesn't suddenly like them, are you going to cave to his wishes also?

Just saying...

-AP- wrote in post #11400194
Sounds like you are building a reputation as well as an inspiring business. I personally would just take it down. I believe I saw the said photo on your FB and would say it's not very flattering and I feel so many other images both on your main site and your FB reflect a much higher standard of quality. You seem to capture the "moment" very well and there's a lot of consistency in your work.

Just my 2 cents. I'd rather have a potential client by doing the right thing by someone rather than risk a bad rep.

Best of luck.

Thanks for the kind words. You're exactly right, I'll take it down. My reputation is more important than a single photo.

I'd leave it up only because I don't let people bully me. Taking it down now, under these circumstances, sends the message that you're a pushover. It doesn't send the message that you're a nice guy.

His girlfriend needs to learn to stop playing lesbian where everyone and anyone can see her doing it if she doesn't want everyone and anyone to see her playing lesbian.

My thought is that if the girls want the pic taken down, one of them should contact you directly and make the request. You have no idea who this guy really is other than what he's representing himself to be, and given his initial mis-direction, I'd say he's not the most credible individual.

Or you could take it down just to be safe, which it sounds like what you're going to do.