Can a photographer post my photos without permission?
Asked by: Nasir Spencer | Last update: October 24, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (20 votes)
However, they must have a release form from their client in order to publish or sell the photos. Many professionals choose to keep the photographer rights to photos so they can add them to their portfolio to help grow their business.
Does a photographer have the right to post pictures of you?
Although the photographer does own the copyright for the photographs, they cannot use the photographs publicly without your permission if the photographs have been commissioned for private or domestic purposes (such as a family photo shoot or a wedding.)
Can someone post a picture of me without my permission?
If someone posts your content (such as a photo) without your permission and without proper attribution, they may be liable for copyright infringement.
Does my photographer have to share my photos on the internet and social media?
Your client can ask you NOT to share the images (or to take them down from your website/social media). If you're a kind, rational human being, you should take the photos down, without question.
What if my photo is being used without permission?
If someone uses a photo of you without your consent, they may be infringing your copyright or breaching the ACL. You should first attempt to resolve the issue by contacting the infringing party.
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Can I sue someone for using my photo without permission?
You could bring a lawsuit by accusing the defendant of an invasion of privacy by appropriation of your likeness, a process known as right to publicity. This law allows you to control and profit from the commercial use of your image, name and persona or your identity.
What is it called when someone posts a picture of you without permission?
Even if they didn't know it's illegal, it's copyright infringement. There is even more confusion about giving credit. It does not matter if someone reposted your photo but gave you credit – it's still copyright infringement.
Is sharing photos without permission illegal?
It's not a crime to send intimate images or videos of yourself privately to another person if you're both consenting adults. It's a crime to show intimate images or videos, send them to another person, upload them to a website, or threaten to do this, without your consent. This includes so called 'revenge porn'.
Can a photographer keep my photos?
Photos are the result of the photographer's creativity; as such, they are considered intellectual property. That means that the photographer is the copyright owner unless a contract says otherwise. If the photographer is employed by a company, their employer may be the copyright owner.
Do photos belong to the photographer?
Generally, the author and initial copyright owner of a photograph is the person who “shoots” or “takes” the photo.
What to do if someone is posting pictures of you online?
- Document the post. You may need a record of the post if you decide to take further action. ...
- Report an Instagram post. ...
- Unfollow or block the person who posted it.
Can you stop someone from posting pictures of you?
This situation can qualify as an invasion of privacy, and you may have some legal remedies and gain control of the image. Right of publicity. Someone can violate your right of publicity by using your photograph for commercial purposes without your consent.
Is it illegal to post a picture of a random person?
In California, it is generally legal for people to take photos of others in public spaces without their consent. However, posting these photos online to make fun of someone's medical condition could potentially constitute cyberbullying, harassment, or stalking, depending on the specific circumstances.
What can I do if someone takes a picture of me without my permission?
Photos taken illegally, on private property, or with defamatory intent may require a personal injury attorney. Images with minors or illegal pornographic content may require the government's help. Contact your local law enforcement.
Can you sue a photographer for not giving you photos?
Yes, you may be able to sue your wedding photographer or videographer if they fail to provide the services they promised or, in some cases, misuse your pictures. Most professional photographers will have you sign a contract.
What are photography rights?
When in public spaces where you are lawfully present you have the right to photograph anything that is in plain view. That includes pictures of federal buildings, transportation facilities, and police. Such photography is a form of public oversight over the government and is important in a free society.
Why don t photographers give you all the photos?
A professional photography doesn't want to give you the raw files because they are not the final images. They may not look great, they won't have been edited to match the photographer's style, so let your photographer give you the images you hired them for.
Who does a photo belong to?
Who owns copyright in an image? The person who creates an image (“the creator”) will generally be the first owner of the copyright.
What not to ask a photographer?
- “Can I have the unedited photos too?”
- “You can just photoshop that out.”
- “I don't need to buy any, I took screenshots.”
- “I can't pay you right now but I can give you credit!”
- “My dad/friend/uncle/sister is a photographer so they can edit the photos”
Is it against the law to post pictures of someone without their consent?
Congress added a new provision in the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022. This lets you bring a civil action in federal court against someone who shared intimate images, explicit pictures, recorded videos, or other depictions of you without your consent (15 U.S.C. § 6851).
Do I need permission to publish a photo of someone?
If you take photos of people, places or things and publish them, you need permission. Understanding when to use a photo release form will save you the headache of copyright infringement issues.
What to do if someone posted a picture of you without your permission on Facebook?
Facebook provides a number of ways for people to report imagery that they believe violates their privacy. The quickest way to report abuse is by using the Find Support or Report links located near the photo or video that you want to report.
Can someone take pictures of my property without my consent?
It is generally OK for people to take photographs at any public place or any private place that they own or rent. Being present on someone else's private property generally requires the property owner's consent to take photos. You would also need permission to be there in the first place, or you'd be trespassing.
What's it called when someone takes a picture of you without you knowing?
However, if the intent is that the subject is absolutely unaware of being photographed and does not even expect it, then such photography is secret photography, which is an extreme case of candid photography.
Can you force someone to delete pictures of you?
In the United States, statutes protecting privacy and intellectual property rights can be used to make someone take down photos of you under certain circumstances.