Do you need permission to use someone's photo?

Asked by: Efrain Kutch  |  Last update: September 6, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (1 votes)

If you're using an image for personal or commercial reasons, you will need to consider getting permission and/or paying to use the image.

Can someone use a picture of me without my permission?

If the photo is used in a commercial website—that is, one sponsored by a business or that sells products or services—the unauthorized use of your image would probably violate your right of publicity. The public must be able to identify you in the photograph.

Can I use photos without permission?

Copying images and then hosting them on another website however will usually amount to copyright infringement. You should ask permission from the copyright owner before using images in this way.

Do you need permission to use photos?

Using a Photo Someone Else Took of You. A good rule of thumb to follow: when someone else takes a picture of you, ask for his or her permission before using it. Copyright laws dictate that whoever took the photo owns the photo.

Can I sue someone for posting a picture of me without my consent?

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.

Stealing photos is LEGAL? Fair Use Law in Action

20 related questions found

Can you go to jail for taking a picture of someone without their permission?

It is legal to photograph or videotape anything and anyone on any public property, within reasonable community standards.

What is it called when someone posts your picture 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.

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 are the rights to use a photo?

How do you legally use a photo?
  • Paid Licensing. The owner of an image (the photographer) can grant you the right to use their image legally by licensing the image to you via a photography licensing platform, like EyeEm Market. ...
  • Fair Use. ...
  • Creative Commons. ...
  • Public Domain.

What is 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.

What can I do if someone posts a picture of my child without permission?

Taking Down Posted Images
  1. Contact the website. If you notice someone else has posted a photograph of your child without your permission, immediately contact the website and ask about protocol for removing the photo. ...
  2. Request the publisher crop the photo. ...
  3. Seek a children's rights lawyer.

Who owns a photograph of me?

Generally, the author and initial copyright owner of a photograph is the person who “shoots” or “takes” the photo.

Can someone film me without my permission on private property?

California requires the consent of all parties, with a minimum consent being the notification that the parties are being recorded in a confidential conversation with an audible beep at particular intervals throughout the recording. Without permission, an individual can face imprisonment and fines.

Is it illegal to take pictures from someones phone without permission?

Yes. Accessing their phone, social media, or email accounts without consent is a crime.

What to do if someone has photos of you?

You need to:
  1. report the picture to the website and let them know the situation.
  2. untag yourself if possible - this is where you remove a tag identifying you in the picture.
  3. contact the person who shared the image and ask them to take it down.
  4. get a list of everyone or every site that has shared pictures.

Is it legal to take a picture of someone's driver's license?

Ordinarily, yes. A person's driver license photo will usually be protected by state laws that prohibit unofficial uses by government entities, as well as use by private/commercial organizations. But, in an emergency situation, or if you are wanted by police, that photo can be plastered everywhere by the media.

Can you use people's photos without permission?

At best, a breach of copyright by using someone else's image without their permission will result in a request that you credit the original creator, or take the image down.

Is it illegal to use someone's image?

The Copyright Act of 1976, which is the main copyright law in the United States, protects copyright owners. Unless the content is in the public domain, someone who posts it without permission and/or attribution may be liable for copyright infringement.

What images can I use without permission?

Photos that are in the public domain are not protected by copyright, have no limitations on use, and no fees for any type of usage. Images in the public domain include most photographs that are more than 100 years old, and any photo produced by a government or government agency.

Can you sue someone for taking a picture of you without permission?

It can be challenging to file a lawsuit against a stranger who takes your photo while you are on public property. However, you may have a case if this person took your picture on private property. A restaurant, bar, or event posts your photo.

Can a contractor use pictures of my house without permission?

Before you post anything, it's important to have permission from your client to use images of that project. It may be your work, but it's still the homeowner's private property.

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.

What do you do if someone is using your picture?

Sometimes, people are unaware of the laws around copyright and misleading or deceptive conduct. They may have innocently used your photo. If this is the case, reaching out yourself and asking them to remove the image may easily solve your problems. Send a cease and desist letter.

Can someone take pictures of my house without permission?

You don't have to give permission for someone to take pics of your house. Property assessors, code enforcement, law enforcement, realtors, Google maps, and any other people do this all the time..

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.