The word client here is a bit of a misnomer. I am still in the beginning phases of my photography career, so I reached out to a friend, who has a bit of a social media following, to see if she wanted to do a shoot - for free. She said yes and we set up a time and I found a location. So we do the shoot and it comes out pretty well and I shared the photos with her on Pixieset w/o turning on downloads. The next day I suddenly see myself tagged in a photo by her and it's one of the photos I shared via Pixieset. She had screenshot it and then, to make matters worse, she decided to make edits and retouch it a little more than I had. So I asked her about it and she said that of the 25 photos I had edited "there aren't any I would post as is on my page right now." I did tell her that I would prefer to retouch myself since it's my name on the photos but her stance is that she wants to retouch them because she knows exactly what to do. (She is not a photographer and is 100% doing everything on her iPhone.) So I don't know if I should continue to allow her to edit these photos or risk the relationship and potential gains for her following and make sure my name is only attached to my work. What do you guys think?
As I see it you have two possibilities, take the blue pill and continue living in a world where everything is perfect or take the red pill and live what we live all the photographers of the world
Please read this with Morpheus's voice
:)
Honestly, I don't think there's much you can do at this point. Stuff like this really should be clarified, and if time or money is being exchanged, then it should really be in a contract.
I'd say it's not worth the emotional energy to haggle over the issue since this seems like a trade shoot. Plus, the more you press the issue, the less fondly she'll see the images.
At the end of the day, you want her to be excited about the pictures and excited to share them with her following. Whatever you do, I'd keep that goal in mind.
This is exactly why I came here. Since I'm just starting I wasn't sure if this is a semi common occurrence or just a bad client. I will definitely be using contracts moving forward to address these issues. Thank you!
Personally i would ask her not to change photos, and if they do change them dont tag you in them. If they do not like the image they dont have to use it. If you are ok with them taking the image and changing it then maybe you should suggest having them tag you taking the photo and retouching by themselves. If the retouching is bad or not up to your style/standard it may give people the wrong impression of you. Bottom line going forward i would set up a clear dialog and/or contract situation.
We all feel this frustration. This is a big part of the model/photographer relationship trust dynamic, and is an important aspect when working with people you collaborate with. I've been fortunate enough to work with people who are largely respectful of my work. Point being: find good creative partners, and don't settle for less.
Life is too short!
Sounds like because she has a bit of a SM presence that you asked her for a shoot in order help each other. While what she did is not the best thing in the world it's not something to get very upset about.
She knows the "look" that she wants, after all it got her some kind of following. Without playing the "offended photographer" card suggest that you could do the changes that she wants so you can learn what works in her world.
Since she is reposting screenshots maybe suggest she at least download the higher res file and/or let you do adjustments.
Can you show us the before and after?
You read my mind as this is a rebirth of sorts to a hobby I've held in check since the 60's. The sad part about all this, is that we all have a desire to share our talents, and with how the Internet perceives our talent it makes us want to keep this talent private. Another reason images should not be placed online, is theft of your images are extremely easy. it's a shame the model/client was this way as she had a very nice facial bone structure.
Ask her to remove the edited images. If you do not like her edits, then ask her to untag you or remove you from the credits.
Suggestions for the future:
Always put a "draft" on the image until they are edited and sent off (with a watermark).
Model releases. Always model releases. If the person doesn't want to sign, then don't shoot with them or just bite the bullet.
If all else fails, photographer always has rights to the images.