Cousin asking permission for image use

[lexxibeth]

Hubby and I finally had our wedding day last October. We had limited budget but for ease of life after marriage (my mother) we extend the invite to first cousins. Ie, I do not have any kind of relationship with this particular cousin I am posting about.

As per, once the day was done social media was inundated with lots of pics from those who had camera phones and had shared the day with us.

Last night my cousin messaged to ask permission to use a photo she had taken on the day as a portfolio cover picture for a photography business page she is launching.

Now, I have a couple of issues but can't tell if I'm being a hormonal grump (32wk 5d today) but hubby also feels her request is pretty cheeky. Here's why;

Ignorant and cold to both of us on the day, kept to one side despite efforts to approach her.

Did not have a camera with her on the day, only her phone - which I find bizarre that someone wanting to advertise a professional photography service would use camera phone photos.

She has not shared a single photo of our day so in all honesty I wasn't aware she had even taken any!

I also saw that she had already gone ahead and used the photo 3 hours before she messaged me and the quality is not great.

Lastly, I feel like the implication is that she took the photo at our wedding as a designated photographer. To me that's unfair to our actual photographer and also a bit of a liberty/false advertisement.

As I've said, hubby is of the same mind as me but there's this little chime on my ear telling me it's no skin off my nose and I should be more supportive of someone trying to launch a creative career!

Thoughts?

It isn't any skin off your nose.

What makes you think there's an implication of her being the 'official photographer'?

Are you really surprised that she didn't bring her camera and 3+ lenses to a wedding she was a guest at? I know people think that anyone can be a photographer but the skill is knowing what and when to shoot and from where. I'm a keen amateur but even with my fairly fancy equipment, lots of people can take better photos with a phone camera and I can take better photos than many people using my phone if they have all the equipment in the world.

I think you're being pretty petty. She doesn't even need permission.

I'm not sure why she's actually asked you since she doesn't need your permission. Perhaps she is just being polite, I'm genuinely not sure why this is a big deal.

Of she wants to just put it on her page for advertising I would necessarily have an issue. If she was going to say she was the official photographer I would say no as they is a blatant lie.

If she wants to use it as an example of her work, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

I'm not sure how one might infer that she was the official photographer based on one photograph.

Message her back "Who is this?" Or "I didn't know you where at the wedding?""

Not really, but I would be tempted.

"Yes sure, didn't realise you had taken any. Obviously we'd love a copy of all the photos you took - please send to ... blah blah blah"

How was she ignorant on the day? Surely one either is or isn't, you can't just be ignorant for one day.

Let her use the photo.

I don’t think her behaviour on the day is relevant. What is relevant is that she took a nice photo and you have had the benefit of that.

It would be very mean to try to stop her from using it to start her business. I can’t see why you’d do that apart from spite. Just say yes and wish her well with her business.

First world problems. There is nothing you can do about it anyway- she is totally free to use the photo.

Yanbu if that's how you feel, Just say "Hi, hope you are well, sorry we would rather you didn't, thanks for asking though but it has to be a no I'm afraid, good luck with the business"

Who wants a bad quality photo taken by someone who wasn't their photographer knocking around for the next few years on the website/advertising? That said though I am not sure she needs permission, it's her photo and if taken in a public place she may not need it (every chance I am wrong though)

She doesn't need your permission to use it if she took it. So good of her to ask.

If she took it she owns the copyright.

Far from being cheeky, her request is actually very polite given that, legally, she doesn't need your permission.

But if it's a crap pic, then it's not going to be a good advert is it?

You've way over thought it. Leave her to it.

I wouldn’t like it but simply because I wouldn’t want my wedding picture posted in the internet for all to see.

I wouldn't give permission for privacy reasons. I don't (and won't) post photos anywhere on the net. If you chose to give permission, I would tell her to pixelate your faces, otherwise it's a big NO.

Can't see why she would post a phone photo for a photography business, if I was a potential customer that's not what I would expect.

To each his/her own though.

Sorry folks, she absolutely DOES need permission to use the image for a commercial/advertising project. Even though it's her copyright because she took it, you own the rights to your image and have a say in how pictures of you are used. She should really get you to sign a release form first (you can download from the Royal Photographic Society). It protects both of you in the event of any issues arising from the publication – if someone thinks you've endorse her services and she does a shit job for them, it could come back on you. From her point of view, it waives your right to claiming any money she might make off the back of it. It's standard for photographers, TV companies etc.

She doesn't need your permission.

but there's this little chime on my ear telling me it's no skin off my nose and I should be more supportive of someone trying to launch a creative career! This.

I'll say it again - she DOES need your permission because she's going to be profiting from your image.

I would say no for privacy reasons and for the fact you'll be tied to her business and if there are any issues you're involved - could be a problem if she's dealing with local people you know.

I think that she may require you to sign a model release form in order to use the photograph to advertise her business even though she has copyright. If you are not happy with her using it then just say no. Alternatively might be a trade off to ask for all the photos she took at the wedding and sign the release form.

She doesn’t need your permission anyway - she owns the image because she took it. The fact that it was at your wedding is neither here or there in this case.

Stop being so petty, say you’re happy for her to use the photo and wish her well. I’m with your husband

I think sometimes people use ignorant to mean rude?

Also, more relevantly, I think it absolutely does suggest she was your wedding photographer. I think I’d say no on those grounds.

I don't think your petty at all. I would just say that you weren't aware she had taken photos as you haven't been sent any. However you don't feel comfortable having your special day used for advertising.

I'd let her it's no skin off your nose. You could ask not to be named in it and for a copy of the photos she took.