Dear Preston: Should Photographers Share Images?

September 25, 2012

Dear Preston:

Having planned and designed events for over a decade, I feel weddings are collaborative events that allow vendors to engage in a mutually-beneficial relationship. I recently planned, designed, and executed a large wedding and am finding the photographers are unwilling to share any images from the day. I find it frustrating to have poured my heart and soul into it, working to make certain every detail and moment was flawless only to wind up without any images to show for it. I would like to know your thoughts on this situation. Was I too presumptuous to assume the photographers would be open to sharing their images? Having never met an ounce of opposition in the past, I am a bit surprised. How would you handle this situation?

Sincerely,

No Images

Dear Images:

I am so sorry you are in this situation. I agree with you that collaboration is an essential component of success, but it is important to remember that it is not mandatory. Photographers make their living by selling their images in the same way we make our living by doing our respective jobs. Photographers make their living by selling their images. I think it is a mistake to assume that the photographer in question should be willing share their images with you. I agree with you that most photographers don’t mind, but some do, and in those cases, you can always offer to pay for their images.

My advice to you is to always make an effort to speak with the photographers beforehand and make arrangements with them so that there are no surprises. You might even suggest exchanging images for referrals. A big part of collaboration is the give-and-take component.

Readers, I would like to ask to ask your opinion on this subject. As a vendor, do you expect photographers to share their images with you? Photographers, do you share your images with vendors free of charge?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Blessings,

Preston

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http://www.alexishields.com Alexi Shields

As a professional wedding photographer for over 7 years I feel inclined to give my opinion on this letter. I personally think sharing images can be beneficial to my business as long as it’s done properly. I will only share a certain amount of images…not the entire wedding. Typically the decor and details, however they’re not usually high resolution images that are shared. I also make an agreement with the florist or planner that wherever those images are used, they much not be cropped/edited/touched at all, but my photo credit must absolutely be with every single one. Sure, sometimes you find one without credit, but once I address it, they take care of it right away. Typically, I will get inquiries from potential brides that have seen my work on someone else’s blog. Ask for photos with their logo on them, so they’re getting their credit as well….or ask if you can purchase a few from the photographer.

Alexi
http://www.twoblueshoesphotography.com Katie

Dear Images! How sad! I understand the whole selling their images thing but I don’t understand why photographers are not willing to share the love. Afterall, in exchange for posting my images on their site, I just ask for my watermark and a link back to my site. Helllloooo? Can they say free marketing?! My advice would be to get to know the photographers and develop a relationship with them and be willing to give back to them as well.
Best of luck!
Katie
http://www.marcanthonyphoto.com Marc Anthony Photography

As a wedding photographer I believe the more exposure the better. You can’t cross bridges if you burn them. Why come off as pompous by not allowing someone to use your photos? Now, credit must be given though. I won’t just allow someone to use my photos without a watermark and a link back to my site. But what harm can it do to give someone the photos? The only reason I see, and it is a reason I have declined some people asking for my photos in the past, is that the vendor requesting the images may not be someone you would want to work with again.
http://Ywww.fineweddingflorals.com Linda

Most photographers are gracious and eager to send photos to me with their watermark. However, I have had a few that would not.

This is my feeling. The floral designer, the stylist, the cake decorator etc., have provided their “art” which gives the photographer props to be creative with other than photographing people, so I would think a natural collaboration would take place.
http://www.artsgroupphoto.com Jay “ArtsGroup” West

As a photographer, sharing photos with planners can be beneficial. For us, it depends on the level of support or referrals the planner works in advance of the ceremony. If you are a beginning photographer, hand out your pictures with tags on them often in order to get exposure… however, if you are an established firm, such as ours, you are not short on business… so be very selective in how and when you share your images. Many planners will use your pictures to promote there business when in fact, they’ve already made agreements or arrangements with other photographers so without the ability to know for sure, they are referring you.. it’s unfair. I’ve been in many situations where I have never met the planner and before leaving for the end of the day, I get a tap on the shoulder and they make a note such as, “make sure I get the photos” or “here’s my information, please send the photos to me”. As I understand that much work goes into planning an event but, I as the photographer, whom have walked around for 6 – 8 hours straight with 7lb – 12lbs of equipment around my neck really can’t fathom this expectancy. My job is for the client and if a planner networks with me properly, then I have no problem with sharing a tagged photo. The client is who has paid for the services and I don’t normally give out images in which they have paid for. Just a law of business Imo.
http://www.flowersinlove.com Chantelle

I do agree with all the comments, but one other point is that most vendors work very hard not only to get work, but to create a great reputation for their business – there is plenty of times I am willing to ‘share the love’ by helping out other vendors with pics etc, but every now and then (for a variety of reasons) I do not want my business/hard work associated with a certain business, and may carefully and respectfully decline to share. I work too hard to risk client’s assuming I am collaborating with a business that does not work to the standard I do!
http://www.lesleymeredith.co.uk Lesley Meredith Photography

Sharing the love…

Now for us social media is ‘King’ and we love sharin the love…just like chocolate

It’s now an integral part of being a photographer after all we are the ones who get to capture all the beautiful elements coming together on the day…which is just magical! But in return for images we expect our logo to be visible at all times and we will also actively promote those business’s on our Facebook page as long as its reciprocal .

The downside is that sadly it’s often taken for granted …we spend around 10-15 minutes per image so that it’s perfect before it hits Facebook/ Twitter etc.
Throughout our 16 years as professional photographers we have always been very helpful with suppliers wanting images foc sometimes spending many many hours then to not even receive a courtesy message of thank you! Not that we expect anything in return but my hubby has even been charged full price for flowers and cake bought for me from owners of those companies who we have spent time hitting deadlines for so, you see it has to be a two way road.

http://www.facebook.com/lesleymeredithphotograhpy

http://www.facebook.com/ShaunMeredithPhotography

Pop along and say hello
http://www.lesleymeredith.co.uk Lesley Meredith Photography

Whoops typo lol can’t even spell photography correctly lol

http://www.facebook.com/lesleymeredithphotography
http://www.number1eventplanner.com Shaun

I always ask about images before hand from the photographer. It’s always a casual ask, usually when I’m confirming details with him/her. “Great so you’ll be there at 10, hey real quick while I’m thinking about it, once this wedding is done and you’ve sent the couple their gorgeous photos, do you mind emailing a few to me? I’d like to showcase the wedding on my website, and I’ll absolutely credit you in the captions.”

Most are fine with it, if they aren’t I don’t have an issue with paying for the images, plus that lets me choose EXACTLY which shots I want.
http://LibbyNederWeddings.com Libby Neder Photography

As a wedding photographer, I’m typically happy to share my images with planners and designers. However, it should be very important to all of us in this industry to acknowledge the give-and-take component you mentioned. We can all see how these images will benefit the designer’s portfolio. Unless she spells it out, it might be less clear to the photographer how it will benefit them. I’m much more likely to respond to “Would you share some of your watermarked images with me and I’d be happy to credit you and share a link to your website” than just an assumption that I’d fork them over. It should be noted that this planner certainly could have brought her own personal camera or phone and created her own visual record of her work, but she chose to rely on the photographer’s expert eye to make her work look great, with out even checking with the photog first.

I agree that collaboration is essential, but mutual benefit is essential to collaboration.

Libby Neder
LibbyNederWeddings.com
http://www.simplylavishweddingsandevents.com Simply Lavish Weddings & Events, LLC

I too, like Shaun, just ask whatever photographer I’m going to be working with, before hand if they will be willing to share any photos with me so I can showcase my work. However, I never expect them too, therefore, since I too have done an extreme amount of work planning, and designing; I come with my own camera and take a few shots of the day, and especially the details from a decor standpoint. That’s my work. So I hold no one else responsible for giving me photos of MY WORK. I too also use a watermark. So that’s my advice to all planners and design, invest in your own camera, and take pictures of your own work for your portfolio.