Confrontation from Subject
I was at a music festival in the park and took pictures of a local group of belly dancers. I had talked to 4 out of 6 ahead of time and they were good with it (all 4 signed releases so that I could use the images in a photobook I am working on).
After their performance, I asked the group leader if I could take a group shot and she posed everyone, I snapped the pic and all was good.....until she asked me for a print. I explained to her that I don't make my own prints, but she could order one off of my website. She got VERY nasty with me. I am such a non-confrontational person so this kind of a situation makes me very uncomfortable but yet, I don't want to give my work away either. Would like to know how other people have handled subjects who think they are entitled to a freebie just because they posed......
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fred on -
As Beth said and it gives you free advertising if they use your photograph
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Permalink Reply by Papa Rotzzi on -
Sorry Renee, but I would have got very nasty with you too. I am offended by your attitude. "..don't want to give my work away.." - "..subjects who think they are entitled to a freebie just because they posed.." Who the heck are YOU?
These are not people that hired or even asked you to take a picture of them. You took their pictures for a book you are making, presumably for your own gain or at least your own enjoyment. What is in it for them? The privilege of being in your book.. that is worth exactly, what, to them? They have taken years to learn an art, and those costumes are not free, maybe you should be paying THEM?! NO... ok... how about this...
I would have offered the leader a web-sized copy of several of the photos, edited and watermarked with my name, for use in promoting their group. I would have let them know about my website where the individual members of the troupe could order personal copies of the images. I would have offered that, if they ever need more formal shots for promotion or advertising that I would be happy to discuss a group rate. I would have made friends and contacts for future business. I would have went home smiling because I had another image or two for my book instead of upset that these horrible parasites were trying to suck the life out of me.
But, maybe I just have a different world view.
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Permalink Reply by Marcia C on -
I agree with you Papa
I had not read your response yet when I posted mine.
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Permalink Reply by Marcia C on
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I always offer a free copy to the ones I took the picture of. It is just a way of making sure they do not feel like they are being used and do not get upset.
It is also a good way to have her spread the word about your photography and if others would like to buy a copy.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Johnson on -
Actually, I think I agree with you, papa, as well. While I understand where the photographer was coming from (nobody likes to give work away), it does seem that giving the odd free print to a subject may sort of be the "price of doing business," as they say. Having the grace to pose for you might just entitle them to something, unless their demands are completely unreasonable. Whether it's done by computer, or physically having a print made up for them, whatever. Also, it creates a good connection with them, and may lead to further business up the road.
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Permalink Reply by Renee Graner on -
Surprise! Wow....what nasty comments! I give away my work on a regular basis (almost daily) as I photograph for the local playhouse (for free), the Chamber of Commerce (for free), the local historical society (for free), the local newspaper (for free....even tho I could ask for compensation), the local booster club, school & yearbook (again, at no charge to them). However, I have several justifiable reasons for not giving this person an image, which I explained to the group AHEAD OF TIME..... I am working with the local historical society (again, at no charge), on this project as a photo-documentary of the people and events in our valley throughout the year 2010. Obviously, the world does not revolve around me but they had agreed to participate before I took their pictures.
I was just asking for advice on how to handle someone who is all smiles but then turns nasty....obviously, this group is the wrong one to ask.
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Permalink Reply by Papa Rotzzi on
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Beth is correct, "this group" responded to what you wrote, not what you did not write.
If you were clear with them, up-front, that your charity work extended only to the organization and that they (the dance troupe) were going to get NOTHING for doing you a FAVOR...and they then got nasty with you.. then I withdraw my previous comment.
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Permalink Reply by Marcia C on
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Renee, you did not state all this in your original.
I did not get nasty with you and for you to lump a whole group because you did not like one persons comment is unfair.
You asked how to handle this in the future, I told you what I do. Nothing nasty about that statement.
I have given away freebies also. I still offer free pics to the person I took the photo of. Just a nice gesture. You do not have to print it and mail it but send it to them over an email. If they like it they can then have it printed. or just send to their friend to see.
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Permalink Reply by Renee Graner on
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I was just surprised by the "mob mentality" based on a simple question.....damn the photographer!
I spoke with this troupe and had 4 out of 6 releases signed, but due to time constraints beforehand (they were due to go on the stage in which I was invited to take pics from the stage), I intended to get the last two releases AFTER their production. Once they were done, I asked to take a group picture, they were more than happy to comply. When I asked for the release from the last two, one refused without a print (the ratio of the composition wasn't even do-able for a print....I was composing for a banner for the book). I was totally caught off guard by the request and probably did not handle it well, but she also refused to allow me to explain my position why I couldn't "give" her anything.
I still haven't provided all the information of the situation because it's a rather complex one (I was dealing with 5 other people in addition to the she-wolf).. Just surprised by the rush to judgement......I won't make the mistake of asking for advice on this forum again.
Sorry MC, based upon your response (my bad....I'm guilty of that "rush to judgement" thing) I assumed you really did agree with Papa when you wrote "I agree with you Papa". I offered to promote her troupe on Facebook (with the images that I would not be using otherwise)......however she went from friend to enemy in a matter of mili-seconds and didn't even comprehend what I was saying. I ended the conversation by saying "no worries, I don't need your release" and walked away.
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Permalink Reply by Papa Rotzzi on
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So sorry for the 'mob mentality'. I was just reacting to the information you originally provided (not the ever-evolving narrative that you currently present.) and I disagreed with your treatment of the troupe and characterization of their leader based on that information. Sorry if that makes ME nasty. You may feel free to post in the future, however. I will offer you no further opinions.
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Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on -
Renee,
Here I am being the odd man out again. I sympathize completely with your situation. We live in a world where people thing they're entitled to something for nothing just because they suck in air and breathe out CO2! It's tough sometimes. A lot of people have the attitude that because you're a small business owner that you are getting wealthy (wish it were true!) and that you're going to get rich off the silly little photograph where they were included. Like they're Angelina Jolie or something. There also are people that are just angry. Sometime, even though you want to pop them in the mouth, the only thing you can do is walk away. Rest assured, the other people in the group that were there probably think the woman is insane.
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