Does My Photographer Have to Share My Photos on the Internet and Social Media?

Nope. Not if you hire me.

I cannot speak for other photographers, because every photographer handles image sharing differently. But if you hire me as your photographer, you get to decide whether I can share your images online and on social media.

A significant number of the families I work with prefer to keep their family and children’s photos off the internet and social media, and that is completely okay.

I LOVE sharing the images I create for your family, and I am incredibly grateful to the families who permit me to do so. Honestly, sharing my work is a big part of how people find me. My website and social media would be pretty empty without the families who are kind enough to let me share their photos!

But that does not mean you have to be one of them.

So, does my photographer have to share my photos?

This is where things can get a little complicated.

Copyright and image rights involve several different factors, including who created the photograph, who is pictured in it, and what agreements were made between the photographer and client.

Rather than expecting my clients to figure all of that out, I keep things simple.

I ask you.

Every client fills out an image release form that gives you a few choices about how your images can be used.

You can choose:

Yes, you may share my images online and on social media.
This includes places like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, your website, and other online platforms.

Please do not share my images online or on social media.
Your images can still be shared with you through your private, password protected client gallery, but I will not use them publicly.

You may share my images on your website, but please do not share them anywhere else online or on social media.

And if you do give me permission to share your images, I keep your first and last names anonymous. I am sharing your photographs, not your personal information.

What about AI?

With AI becoming a much bigger part of photography and the internet, you may also wonder what happens to your images behind the scenes.

I do not use your family’s photographs to train AI or submit them to AI image generators.

Your photos are taken to document your family, your kids, your home, and all those little moments you want to remember. They are not here to become training material for an AI system.

And just like with social media, I think you should know what is happening with your images and have a say in how they are used.

What if I change my mind?

Just let me know.

I never want you to feel like you said yes once, so now you are stuck with that decision forever. If you have questions about where your images are being used or want to change your preferences, reach out to me.

There is also absolutely no judgment if your answer is “Please don’t share my kids’ pictures online.”

I get it.

These are your children. These are your memories. And you should get to decide who gets to see them.

So, rest assured, I will never share your images online or on social media unless you have given me permission to do so.

I love sharing my work, but I respect your privacy even more.

If you’re looking for a family photographer in Seven Fields, Mars, Warrendale, Cranberry Township or North of Pittsburgh,  please get in touch to inquire about a session! I’d love to plan a photo session for your unique family!

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All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography 

Mary Beth Miller Photography specializes in family and newborn photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and many of the surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over 15 years of experience photographing families, newborns and babies in Pittsburgh including Valencia, Mars, Wexford, Seven Fields, Warrendale, Bradford Woods and Adams Township  Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family!