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

The answer can vary depending on your photographer and how one interprets the copyright laws. The laws on this topic can be confusing and I will not get into the legalities of that in this post, but I will share my personal opinion and how I choose to handle this in my business.

You can google around or see this article to find some clarifications to copyright laws.

“Copyright laws can be tough to understand, especially when it comes to photos. You have to consider who took the photo, all the people in the photo, and the environment under which the photo was taken.”

If you hire me as your photographer, you have the CHOICE to allow me to share your images online.

Close to 25% of the families I work with prefer to keep their little ones and family images off of social media and/or the internet and that is totally ok.

I LOVE sharing your images and I’m super GRATEFUL to those that give me permission to do so. To be honest, I’m not sure how I would get new clients without sharing some of the photos I take!  My website and social media would be pretty empty without them 😉

But please know that I also respect your privacy and you get to make that decision. 

I have every one of my clients fill out an image release form. This form allows my clients to choose from a couple of different options.

My clients can choose from the following:
(summary of the wording on my form)

• Yes, you may share images of my children/family online and on social media.(ie; Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.,)
  
• Please do not share any images of my children/family online or on social media (with the exception of a private and password-protected viewing gallery)
  
• You may only share images of my children/family on your website but please do not share them anywhere else on the internet or on social media.
  

I also have some clients that prefer to select or approve the images I share online (especially for birth photography) and that is also more than ok!

Also, if you do grant me permission to share your images, I keep your first and last names anonymous (unless I ask permission to share first names).

I feel that if you work with any photographer, you should be able to decide if you will allow your images to be shared or not. And you should not be penalized in any way if you choose to keep your images private. I’ve heard of photographers that will charge you a fee for not allowing them to share your images and honestly, I do not agree with this business practice.

So rest assured, as your Pittsburgh area family photographer, I leave this decision up to you! I will not share your images online or on social media unless you give me permission to do so!

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!

Here are some other blog posts that you will want to read! 

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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 thirteen 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!