Client editing digital copies and sharing online

I don't do photos for hire myself, but I work in a print shop. We require a copyright release to print professional photos and several releases have included terms such as no editing of photos without approval of the photographer, or just plain no editing at all or to contact them for any editing. One can only guess that they have run across the same thing or had the foresight to imagine it happening. I can see how that could tarnish a person's reputation.

Hey Simon, I think you reacted well given that it was an unexpected situation. Seeing as it’s a friend I think just sending them a message and asking nicely is a good solution.

It’s not something I’ve encountered personally as I think I’m friends on social media with perhaps 5 of my past clients, and long after they were actually married. With friends I’ve sometimes taken a photo they’ve shared and they often crop it etc but I honestly don’t mind (a crop is less important than a garish filter, mind you), as I just see it as them being happy, liking the image of themselves and wanting to share it. With friends though, these are just random snaps, not a paid or remotely work related situation.

I think there is a very easy temptation these days to edit or put any sort of filter on things – if you think the way most of these apps work these days, there is usually an array of filters and editing choices you can apply yourself (even if you don’t have a dedicated editing app). So to some extent it is quite likely and difficult to control.

I guess you could put something in your terms about editing – provide social media ready images and specify that they’re not to be editing if posted, and to tag you in the photo if posted. I doubt anyone would have an issue with that but unless they’re given really clear instructions (in a nice way) they might not think at the time. If you get a lot of referrals through these channels then I think it makes sense to try and control this a bit more in the future.

In terms of expectations, I wouldn’t worry too much. People will see your work through your site (or your channels), they might speak to a friend, read about you somewhere, this will inform part of their expectations before they contact you. If there is one sepia photo amongst 100 others it’s impact is pretty small and is easy to cast aside should the question come up.

Something you could look at is offering something that the client can’t do themselves. You and them can always share stuff on social media, there is no real skill involved there, but if you make something that they’re unable to do themselves you’re delivering something more unique (and have more control over it).