Asking A Photographer To Not Use Photos Online


When entering into a contract with a photographer, whether it's for capturing memorable wedding moments, family portraits, or any other type of photography, you'll often come across a common clause. It usually goes something like this: "The photographer reserves the right to display the images for various purposes, including their portfolio, blog, publications, or advertising." If you're considering asking a photographer not to use your photos online, it's essential to grasp the underlying reasons for this clause and the potential implications. This article aims to shed light on why photographers default to seeking image use permissions, what transpires when these permissions are revoked, and why such a request might incur additional charges.


Why do Photographers Ask to Use Photos online?


Before you request that a photographer refrains from using your photos online, it's crucial to comprehend why photographers utilize online images and the significance of your request. There are two primary motivations for photographers to showcase their work online:


1. Content-Driven Marketing: The photography industry heavily relies on content-driven marketing. This means that even with word-of-mouth referrals, photographers acquire inquiries primarily through web searches, blog posts, and social media content. Without this online presence, their ability to reach potential clients significantly diminishes.



2. Portfolio Maintenance: Regardless of the referrals they receive, photographers must maintain an up-to-date and accurate portfolio to attract potential clients. Having the ability to display their recent work directly impacts their chances of securing future projects.


What Happens When a Photographer Can’t Use Photos online?


It's important to note that photographers use images online in responsible ways, such as in blog posts, social media content, static portfolios, and without including last names. Additionally, photographers use these images for networking purposes within their industry, especially in the wedding sector. Other vendors often request photographers to share images that showcase their work, and when photographers post these images, they credit the photographer (that's us!), further enhancing their reach to potential clients.


When you ask a photographer not to use your photos online, you are essentially requesting them to forfeit several essential aspects of their business:

  • Keeping their portfolio up-to-date.
  • Creating engaging social media content.
  • Having fresh and relevant content for their website.
  • Generating blog posts (a crucial component of content marketing that aids websites in achieving higher search engine rankings).
  • Networking with fellow vendors in the industry through content sharing.


So I have to pay for privacy?


Given that these types of image usage are industry standards, the pricing structure for non-commercial photography services typically assumes these permissions are granted. Therefore, when you request the removal of these permissions, it may trigger a non-usage fee.


An image non-usage fee, also known as a loss of opportunity fee, is a subject you might discuss with your photographer when making this request. This fee compensates not only for the missed opportunities but also for the alternative strategies the photographer will need to implement to compensate for those missed opportunities.


It's essential to understand that the value of using these images was initially incorporated into the overall package cost. If you choose to remove permissions associated with value, the package will need to be restructured accordingly.


The specific amount of this fee can vary from one photographer to another. Therefore, when you approach a photographer with your request, make sure to inquire about how these fees are structured for their individual business. As a general ballpark figure, image non-usage fees typically range from 15% to 25% of the total package cost. However, please keep in mind that these figures are averages based on informal discussions with colleagues and may vary between businesses and over time.

Final Thoughts


It's crucial to recognize that both clients and photographers have valid reasons for their perspectives on online image use. When conflicts arise in this regard, there are limited options for moving forward. First, a loss of opportunity or image non-usage fee can be applied to compensate the photographer for the potential loss of opportunities due to restricted content usage. Alternatively, it might be best for both parties to part ways amicably.

From my own experience, approximately 95% of clients are comfortable with photographers using their images online. They understand that photographers use these images responsibly and consider it essential to support their business. The remaining 5% may have specific concerns, and in such cases, it's advisable to seek a photographer or company that can accommodate non-usage preferences or potentially modify the contract terms to align with your requirements.