Had a request to take down a photo

TattooedAffliction wrote in post #11400067
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.

But he didn't. He "came clean" and told the truth.

Take it down.

Bosscat wrote in post #11400214
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...

Totally different situation. You can't compare a paying client trying to weasel out of paying for the job with somebody asking you not to show pictures on the internet, taken whilst they were on a night out, that they might find embarassing.

Yes, the OP has the legal right and people were aware that a photographer was present, however it was a nightclub and these girls were possibly a bit the worse for drink, therefore not in a great state of mind for common sense. Doing something stupid when out drinking isn't unusual, but most people would prefer not to have a permanent reminder posted on the internet.

cdifoto wrote in post #11400264
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.

Who is bullying the OP? The guy asked politely, using please and thank you.

If he had said "take it the f*** down or I'm going to come round and beat the **** out of you", you would have a point, and I would tell him to go to hell too. But all he did was make a polite request to not use an image that his girlfriend, now presumably sobered up, finds embarassing. Where is the harm in being nice and acceding to that request.

Or do you automatically refuse to do anything that is politely asked of you, so as to not seem a pushover. Frankly, if that is the case, you will have succeeded in not looking like a pushover. You will however be thought of as a total arse.


To the OP: Glad you have decided to take it down. It's the right thing to do and who knows, one day he may marry that girl, remember you being nice and ask you to do the wedding photos. I believe in what some see as 'Karma', do good and in general good things come back to you - and vice versa of course. Nothing to do with anything supernatural though, we are remembered for what we do and others will treat you the same way.

A liar doesn't deserve a break IMO........he should have been up front off the bat.

Again, who cares if the caller wasn't up front at first? What does that have to do with anything? Stop making excuses for bad behavior.

DRUNK PEOPLE DO STUPID THINGS. Unless there is some compelling artistic or editorial or contractual reason to leave that image up, the fact that the image makes the subjects feel extremely embarrassed should be enough to motivate you to kindly take it down. You don't do it because you HAVE to, you do it because that's what kind, considerate human beings do.

chakalakasp wrote in post #11400439
Again, who cares if the caller wasn't up front at first? What does that have to do with anything? Stop making excuses for bad behavior.

You are accepting bad behaviour..lying is just wrong.....and not acceptable.

Good on you for doing the decent and right thing and taking it down.

sandpiper wrote in post #11400380
Totally different situation. You can't compare a paying client trying to weasel out of paying for the job with somebody asking you not to show pictures on the internet, taken whilst they were on a night out, that they might find embarassing.

Yes, the OP has the legal right and people were aware that a photographer was present, however it was a nightclub and these girls were possibly a bit the worse for drink, therefore not in a great state of mind for common sense. Doing something stupid when out drinking isn't unusual, but most people would prefer not to have a permanent reminder posted on the internet.

Who is bullying the OP? The guy asked politely, using please and thank you.

If he had said "take it the f*** down or I'm going to come round and beat the **** out of you", you would have a point, and I would tell him to go to hell too. But all he did was make a polite request to not use an image that his girlfriend, now presumably sobered up, finds embarassing. Where is the harm in being nice and acceding to that request.

Or do you automatically refuse to do anything that is politely asked of you, so as to not seem a pushover. Frankly, if that is the case, you will have succeeded in not looking like a pushover. You will however be thought of as a total arse.


To the OP: Glad you have decided to take it down. It's the right thing to do and who knows, one day he may marry that girl, remember you being nice and ask you to do the wedding photos. I believe in what some see as 'Karma', do good and in general good things come back to you - and vice versa of course. Nothing to do with anything supernatural though, we are remembered for what we do and others will treat you the same way.

Why do you assume the boyfriend was polite? Based on what OP said, the boyfriend was NOT polite.

TattooedAffliction wrote in post #11399933
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.

I think your being vague. Just because you 'thought' he wanted pictures taken.. doesn't mean he lied. He probably just asked if he can call you in the initial email. You assumed he wanted pics taken. If the phone call would've been anything like his second email.. he probably would've just asked you nicely to take it down and given you a couple reasons why. (maybe she's a teacher, or has kids that could see it.. or has a job that it could affect)

TattooedAffliction wrote in post #11399933
Here is the exact email:

Well my girl saw a picture you took of her and her friend kissing and she's pretty upset that it is up on your facebook. Could you please take that picture off your site. It's the one with two girls kissing at the (name omitted) on thanksgiving eve. Thank you

He was polite! That's a lot nicer than i would've been.

Just take it down.. who cares.

If it was posted on your site.. i would say keep it up. But Facebook is a completely different story. She just doesnt want her Mom, Dad, employer, or kids seeing it.

Taking it down was the right thing to do, regardless of how he intitally contacted you. As the thread first started, I thought you were a real dick for even making a big deal out of it. Then, as the thread progressed and I could read your thought process, I can see that you were merely playing devil's advocate to the responses and when it was all said and done, you did the right thing. Sometimes it is better to be kind than to be right. That you took it down doesn't mean that you are a pushover in any way. You did the right thing.

IMHO, when trying to create a professional and business image, you can not - under any circumstances - take it personally. In other words, for this particular situation, it seems you may have been allowing your pride/emotions to get in the way of sound professional judgment. Removing one photo that has content which may be hurtful to someone (even if they were given a heads-up) will negatively or positively affect your business in what way...? If you have a sound portfolio and other images that represent your professional quality of work, then what is the problem? So what if that guy is 'playing games'... maybe he was just embarrassed and didn't want to put into writing that his girlfriend was messing around with another chick...? In any case, I see you have decided to take it down. As the saying goes... "you get more with honey"...

And, for what it's worth... if you do this type of photography regularly and then post online, you may want to have a conversation with an attorney (just so you know where you stand legally). I know that no one who is intoxicated or under the influence is allowed to make any legal decisions (and some non-legal decisions) at all... I would assume this applies to model releases, verbal agreements/acknowledgm​ents to be photographed, etc... the gray area is the fact that you were inside a private establishment. Also, you may look into having a release for people to sign as they come into the door rather than a DJ announcement that some may, or may not, have heard - then you may have a stronger legal leg to stand on if this comes up again with a photo your portfolio just can't part with... just a thought.

Anyway, good luck to you - I hope you will find something positive that comes from your decision!

TattooedAffliction wrote in post #11400067
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.

Look at it from a business point of view. You are making money from the picture you took of the two girls kissing. Do you have a model release form signed by the girls? Is your insurance paid up? Is the chance of going to court worth keeping the picture up? What are the chances you will loose business if the boyfriend or the girls start posting negative things about your photography. Is leaving the picture up really that important, you did take other good pictures that night you could post?

cdifoto wrote in post #11400581
Why do you assume the boyfriend was polite? Based on what OP said, the boyfriend was NOT polite.

Here is the exact email:

Quote:
Well my girl saw a picture you took of her and her friend kissing and she's pretty upset that it is up on your facebook. Could you please take that picture off your site. It's the one with two girls kissing at the (name omitted) on thanksgiving eve. Thank you

Sounds like a pretty polite request to me. If that comes across as rude and bullying to you, you must have led a pretty sheltered life.

sandpiper wrote in post #11400818
Here is the exact email:

Quote:
Well my girl saw a picture you took of her and her friend kissing and she's pretty upset that it is up on your facebook. Could you please take that picture off your site. It's the one with two girls kissing at the (name omitted) on thanksgiving eve. Thank you

Sounds like a pretty polite request to me. If that comes across as rude and bullying to you, you must have led a pretty sheltered life.

I missed the email somehow. I agree that's rather polite. I based my hard line on the OP describing the phone call as "tough guy." Apparently I also misread it to say the bullying phone call had actually happened.

Is it the photo with the girls wearing glasses and the guy watching? If so, it's not that big of a deal, in my opinion. Take it down or don't. Ultimately, it's your decision. Just my $0.02...