Ask the photographer.
this post was submitted on 23 Nov 2023
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Photography
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A paid family photo session with coordinated outfits... that's so cringe. Nothing against the photographer, money is money, but I will never understand why anyone would desire to do this.
What makes it cringe for you? Aren't all professional pictures (movies, ads, magazines) with coordinated outfits? Isn't that what costume designers do for Movies & TV. They don't make all of it themselves, they often have a collection they choose from or buy.
So it the idea that it is coordinated? Or is it more that what amateurs choose to coordinate on isn't as tasteful as what costume designers would pick?
Yes, we paid for a lifestyle session to capture photos of us with our new baby. Not sure if you understood that “coordinated” and “matching” aren’t the same thing? I thoughtfully selected our outfits in advance to ensure the colors complement each other on camera. Your comment is cringe as it adds absolutely no value to the discussion.
The only issue is when people do a shit edit, then post them and tag the photographer, making them look bad... Minor stuff, go for it.
Thank you for your input. I’ll do as others suggested and simply ask first, but I’m glad it’s not a big deal if I choose to do something minor like this.
Yes.
Personally. As long as I dont get tagged after my clients butcher my photos. I don't give a crap.
Depends on the contract.
Usually, full copyright is not transferred in a simple photoshoot gig. We’d spell it out so that the photographer retains full copyright, and client gains the right to share and publish the work as-is.
If they want the right to produce and publish derivative works, that’ll have to be negotiated. (IE, you can, but leave my name completely out of it.)
If they want the right to SELL the original or derivatives, or otherwise use them commercially, that’ll be a completely different contract, probably in the form of a royalty agreement.
Yes, this was my concern… I wasn’t sure if editing a logo out would violate any copyright laws. We did sign a contract so I know not to use filters, edit lighting, etc. but I wasn’t sure if this also fell in that realm.
(In most countries) By default, all copyright is retained by the original creator. You, the client, can only exercise rights transferred to, or shared with you as spelled out on the contract.
Unless stated otherwise, you do not have the right to reproduce and publish derivative works. This includes a simple photoshop job as you described.
That said, copyright laws only apply for publication and reproduction. It doesn’t apply for personal use. Just don’t put it up on Facebook/instagram etc. and you won’t be violating anything.
Your photographer will be happy to do it for you. It'll take them all of ten seconds per image.
It depends.
There might be something in the agreement that prevents you from doing that. There might also be something that prevents you from doing that under certain conditions. For example, the photographer might not allow placing their name under the photos that were not edited by them because it might affect their reputation if the edits are not approved by them.
Or you might be allowed to do whatever you want with these photos. It all depends.
Thanks for your input and perspectives, everyone! My goal is to be respectful of our photographer’s craft, and not violate any copyright laws. I plan to take many of your suggestions to just ask him if he’d be willing to do it.
How would they even find out?
So family photo session, and you get digital files to print yourself? Why would they ever see the final prints?
As others say, ask the photographer. Unless it's hundreds of photos they'd probably do it.
I think even better than asking the photographer to fix it, you could mention that you think it's an easy fix well within your reach but you wanted to know if he's ok with you doing it yourself. This way you're a) showing you understand it's not cool to just go around and mess up other people photos, and b) not asking for anything, technically.. He might be the one proposing to help instead!
If you buy my photos you can do whatever you want to them. I don’t send out RAW photos and let people pick from a certain editing style.
That said, rarely do I get referrals from work people post. It’s usually word of mouth that gets me the most business. Happy customers at the end of the day have brought me more business than anything else.
Was upon a time I was the guy who asked people not to edit. I’ve even commented on instagram saying that the posted picture isn’t my original work. I’ve since given this up and I’m so busy I have to turn clients away.
If there isn’t my name on it and I’m not going to use them myself, i don’t really care -
Otherwise, yeah please don’t
You should really contact the photographer and ask them to do the editing.
You could ask if they would do it for free but if that’s the only thing you do it’s fine
Generally yeah, in your case no. If the logo is small and fairly easy to remove he might not charge you at all.
Most people use free filters that suck (my paid luts cost 400$) and ruin the vision of the photographer, then tag them. They don't even have the decency to say they are the ones who ruin the photo when someone says it looks bad and that way the photographer looks bad. A photographer is an artist, who applies the art for you, it's like you order a painting and then paint over it. Sounds mad isnt it? Well it's exacrly like that.
are they your photos?
if so, you can shit on them and it doesn't matter what the photographer thinks or does.