samantha_gribble

<p>I need to know where I stand, and find that I am unclear about what I can, and can't use my pictures for....<br> I live in Kuwait, and along side my private family photo sessions etc I get quite a lot of event coverage for a UK based government organisation based here. Initially, they wanted me to run around each event and get model release forms from everyone as I took 'in the moment' images so that they could use them for their publicity. I basically refused as I couldn't do that AND take the pictures. So they came up with the idea of putting up a sign at the registration desk for each event stating clearly that participants would be subject to photography. So that sorted that out. The thing is, this organisation has said that I cannot use the images for my own publicity as I am a 'third party'. And of individual guests, I understand, but I asked permission to use my photos of the public guest speakers at the event (which was a 'by invitation only' event). Guests were taking pictures and have posted them, but I have been told that I am not allowed. <br> Now, I don't want to fall out with this organisation, because I do enjoy working for them, and they give me quite a lot of work. More recently, I covered a concert for them. Bearing in mind what they said about not having permission of the guests / attendees to use their pictures, I actually contacted the artist's management company for permission to use the images. They have said yes, but have also asked for the images to use on their webpage. <br> I am finding it all very confusing and more than a little frustrating. Where do I stand with picture usage? Any advice?...</p> <p>Thank you in advance!</p>

<p>I completely agree with both Jochen and Rob's comments. I would also suggest that you simply ask the parents! And get them to sign a model release form. Be clear about what you want to use the images for and explain why it is important for you to be able to use such images. I would also use flattery - the pictures are so gorgeous / their baby is so cute that you would really like to use their images as sample pictures on you page.<br> In cases where you are doing the work for free, maybe add conditions to that - you will do them for free in exchange for permission to share on social media, websites etc. Of course you must respect the decisions of your clients, but you may be surprised by how many agree. In any case, these people you are photographing for free should help promote you be commenting on you page, recommending you, inviting others to like you pages, sharing your posts etc. Don't be afraid to ask! You could even run a 'model search' competition where you advertise to run free (or low cost) sessions in return for using the images and providing the 'models' with copies of the images. </p>

<p>I had a similar issue in that I was asked for some cropped versions of some product photography I had done for a client, but a few weeks down the line after the job was finished. I'm not sure of how they were to be used - it was for their website, but it was a very narrow format - not one I had come across before. I was a bit frustrated as I hadn't shot the images with such an aspect ratio in mind (and I pointed this out to them) and they also wanted me to select the images (again - time taken to review the images to make an appropriate selections). As they are good clients in terms of promoting my business (they always credit me, and credit me correctly) and are repeat customers, I did it for them without additional charge, but only once I had time in between other jobs. Of course they were thrilled, and a happy client is a great one to help promote your services... (btw, I had asked them in advance what the images were to be used for, so I think they maybe had not thought it through themselves until later..) <br> I try to view all obstacles and hiccups as a learning opportunity and it helps keep me sane! Good luck!</p>

<p>Thank you, David. Good advice once more! <br> I actually ended up with the wedding photos in my possession as she asked me to create a slideshow for her in-laws' anniversary party, and wanted me to look through for suitable photos (this really is another story in its own right - they had old photos of the couple whose anniversary it was and wanted me to create a slideshow. Of course, these are all prints - not digital. So I went to collect them, only to discover that they had HUNDREDS and hadn't even sorted through them! So I sat with them for an hour going through them and helping them choose. Then the wedding discs were given for me to take away to go through for that - not specifically the wedding album.) As far as the wedding album goes, I've not actually agreed to anything as yet - it's more a case of her being really pushy. <br> I have a driver who can return the discs, and I shall definitely get them signed for as you suggested. <br> Thank you so much - your advice is very much appreciated!<br> Sam</p>

<p>Thank you all so much! It has really lifted my spirits to have all your suggestions and advice. I agree that having no further dealings with her is the way to go. I intend to return her wedding CDs as I will not be doing her wedding album for her (I don't want to, and equally I don't want to infringe on another photographer's rights without their written consent). I am drafting a letter to include with the discs that I am returning. Please let me know what you think of this reply and any changes or additions you think I should make:<br> 'Please find enclosed your four CDs containing your wedding and honeymoon photos.</p> <p>I need to return these as I am travelling for the summer and do not want the responsibility for them whilst I am not at home. Furthermore, as I currently do not provide the style of album you would ideally like, then there is little point in me holding on to them.</p> <p>I also need to make you aware that there remains a potential copyright issue with getting someone other than the photographer who took the images to create an album. Whilst it can be argued that the charge is for labour in arranging the photos, as the photos are further edited to go in an album (cropping, addition of masks, vignettes and strokes), then the photographs are actually being altered, which unless you have written permission from the original photographer, is really not allowed. Even though your photographs were taken in another country, I would still, out of professional courtesy, not wish to infringe on the other photographer’s creative rights. I’m sure you will understand and respect this.'</p> <p>Thank you all for your help, support and guidance - it is much appreciated! </p>

<p>Thank you so much for all your replies and advice - each and every one has been helpful and also made me feel better about the situation. David and Andrew - yes you're right. I need to remove her from my client list; I always feel uneasy in all my dealings with her, and always have. William you really hit the nail on the head with your point about emotional and business outcomes. You were spot on with your observation. <br> The offer to refund the money for the album was made to get her off my back, but it was also done deliberately to help confirm my feeling that she was after maybe getting me to re-do the album at cost or something like that- I wanted to call her bluff on this one and yes, it worked. When she asked me to do the second album (for her daughter's 2nd birthday -where I switched suppliers in order to produce them locally in Kuwait) she was really unhappy about the increased cost, but despite moaning about the cost, went ahead anyway. (This is actually another story in itself, as she was crafty with this album in an attempt to get some of the images she hadn't paid for.) Once she received the second album she again sent me a message to tell me it was too expensive (but she had already agreed to the price and paid me) and then sent another one to say if I could get the price lower she would like me to make the wedding album. I did stick to my guns and said it could not be done for less. I also said she should go back to her photographer (not in Kuwait) to ask for them to produce an album etc. She is persistent though and really does not take no for an answer. I guess I just need to toughen up (as I reread what I have and am writing I can see I am clearly a bit of a pushover. ) <br> Unfortunately I don't have a formal contract with her - but have everything in written form through emails etc. Furthermore, this was the third event I have covered for her and I approached it in exactly the same way. A pdf of the album was sent to her for approval and I told her that I would not print until she approved it - on the 3rd version she said it was fine and to go ahead, which I did.<br> I really don't want any more to do with her - but I don't want to anger her either. I don't want to do the wedding album, and additionally she is after a style I simply can't get done here in Kuwait. I explained this and she even wanted me to source them in USA or UK! Seriously, she is beyond cheeky! But this could also be my way out... Not to mention working with someone else's images. I guess I am charging for my time arranging them in an album, but even so, I use masks, crop images etc to fit albums, which would be unauthorised editing anyway, wouldn't it? So again, another get out route.<br> Should I just let the images of the singer / band go? I think there will be enough bad blood all this as it is. Or do you think I should point out that he should not use the images for publicity purposes?<br> Ellis you are right about not lying to a client - I think though that I would say that I am unavailable as it doesn't necessarily mean I have been booked... I generally enjoy the events I cover and deal with some absolutely wonderful people, but I dread each and every encounter with this lady and really have to force myself to smile and be pleasant. <br> If anyone can tell me how to upload the album proof, I am more than happy to post it for you to see. It is in pdf form...</p>

<p>So what was there eventual outcome? I agreed with the advice - I think she was totally trying it on....</p>

<p>Thanks, Stephen. I wouldn't mind, but I bent over backwards to accommodate them!... They don't take no for an answer unfortunately and pestered me until I agreed to do the last job... :(</p>

<p>Hi All, <br> I too have a strap / sling issue. I am short at only 5', and really do tend to waddle about with my gear. I have found myself with both my cameras on their regular camera straps each crossed over my body; one on each side. But this is not comfy at all, so I looked in to double slings. I bought the Carry Speed sling, but my issue is that the cameras when attached are just so low down due to my height. Are there any double strap systems that are suitable for short ladies? I do like the way the plate attaches to the Carry Speed strap, and it is possible to convert it to a single cross body strap too...</p>

<p>Hi All. Really I just want to vent, but at the same time would appreciate your thoughts and opinions also.... A few weeks ago I covered an anniversary event for an existing client (I have previously covered their daughter's first and second birthday parties). It was a lavish event - singer / band flown in from India, whole two stories of new restaurant booked, Versace gifts as party favours etc. I was booked for 3 hours to cover the event. Initially I declined as I had my daughter visiting me, but they pretty much begged me to cover it.... <br> The event was fine - I captured the venue, guests arriving, details etc. I had issues with the lighting in the main room around the time of cutting the cake - huge light flare from spotlights behind the people, but I moved my angles to minimise it and of course my flash to compensate. I thought the results were actually fine (but you can see where this is leading, right?...)<br> After three hours, I was still there, still shooting. They kept me an hour after the agreed time to do family shots. Of course I want to be flexible for them, so I stayed and 'did their bidding'. In all I took well over 1000 images.<br> Over the coming week, I spent hours going through the images and editing about 200 - 300 for them to select the 80 images that were included in their package. This was fine - they chose their images and asked me to create a photo book. I did this. I sent the proofs of the album to them - they asked for changes - I changed what they asked. I re-sent the proofs - they asked for more changes - I changed more things. I sent the third variation and they approved it, so I got it printed. Today I delivered the digital copies of their chosen pictures and the photo book. Unusually, the lady opened it and started looking through it straight away. I have made 2 albums previously and they set them aside and look later - but I know they are unhappy with my album prices (the first one I did was very cheap and done when I was just starting out, the second a year later was done though a different company, cost me more, so I charged more which they were unhappy about, even though I of course let them know my prices in advance) so I was suspicious the moment she started looking through. She started criticising it straight away (remember she had already received and approved the proofs). She complained about the skin of her mother and sister - she said I should have removed the blotches on her skin. I pointed out that this is what their skin was like (I really liked the picture she singled out for this). She complained about a whole host of things whilst I was there, and then sent me a message saying she was unhappy. With regard to the editing of people and airbrushing their skin, which is what she was saying I should have done, I explained that this was not requested - (what if I had done it and she could have been angry about that too!) and changing the appearance is not necessarily an ethical thing to do anyway. <br> To avoid confrontation, and because I also had a sneaky suspicion she may have hoped that I would offer to redo the album and she would try to keep the one she was unhappy about, I offered to fully refund the money she gave me for the album if she returned the album to me today. She declined and said she didn't want her money back but wanted to make me aware for the future that I should photoshop people.... <br> So I have now left it. But there are some outstanding issues. The Indian singer has apparently asked her for copies of the pictures - but am I right to think he shouldn't be able to use them for his publicity purposes or anything?<br> I also have this families wedding photos (I didn't take them) as they want me to make an album for them. I haven't done anything with them as yet since they haven't agreed on style etc yet. But given this latest experience, I really don't want to do it.<br> Lastly, this family, oddly enough, are likely to want me to cover events in the future. I really don't want to, but is this petty? Should I just suck it up and get over it? I spent many hours in total on this job, and in my opinion they got an absolute bargain, but don't seem to understand that. <br> I would really appreciate any advice on this - how you would have dealt with the situation and your take on it. Also if there are any other actions you think I should take now. For info, I work in Kuwait.</p>

<p>Stephanie - I had exactly the same issue - I had fun doing some Frozen and Star Wars themed sessions and even made the Star Wars ones in to posters... I looked on line for answers, and as Doug said- Disney will come down very hard on unauthorised use of their copyrighted materials. There are perhaps ways to 'bend' the rules though... call the sessions 'Star Wars inspired' or 'Sci fi inspired'. I think there is also a distinction if someone has purchased a licensed costume and then paid you to photography them in it...</p>