Did I do the right thing?

[NicoleScraps]

So I was invited by my local Arts Council to participate in a photography display at the county library during the whole month of Feb. My instructions were to bring up to 6 8x10 photos, matted and framed to put in the display. So I took them to the library today. I had picked 4 portraits (of children whose parents signed a model release), 1 portrait of a horse and 1 floral scene.
When I get there, she hands me a stack of price tags to fill out and put on the photos. I had no idea that the photos were supposed to be for sale in the display. I told the lady that I absolutely would not sell photos of other people's kids. She questioned me about the model release and told me that it was within my rights to do so.....but it felt icky even thinking about it. I put "Not for sale" on all of those photos and put a price on the other two.
I talked to my husband about it when I got home and he agreed that I absolutely did the right thing, but what do you all think? I can't even imagine that anyone other than their parents or other family members would want the photos in the first place.

[Barbara V]

Sounds like you did the right thing to me. Do you mind telling me what kind of prices you put on your matted 8X10's?

[BigFuzzy]

Technically it depends on what you wrote in the model release form on how they could have been used. If they signed away rights for you to do whatever you wanted, you could technically sell them..

Morally you did what was right for you, so you did the right thing.

[BexJarratt]

I think you did the right thing. It would be weird to put up photos of other peoples children. Unless they're highly stylised images there would inevitably be the incredibly awkward "are they yours/ is that you...?" kind of question for the purchasers of the photo at some time in the future.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by Barbara V

Do you mind telling me what kind of prices you put on your matted 8X10's?

Well, I was flying by the seat my pants because, like I said, I had no idea that I would be selling the photos. Everyone else had theirs priced between $40 and $65, so I just put $40 on mine (considering that I had spent about $8 each for printing and framing).

[Biomech]

I think you did the right thing - morally at least. Plus most people don't buy photo's of other peoples kids anyway :P

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Technically it depends on what you wrote in the model release form on how they could have been used. If they signed away rights for you to do whatever you wanted, you could technically sell them..

Morally you did what was right for you, so you did the right thing.

Actually, if sold as art, no model release required. "Commercial" doesn't mean "for sale" in the art world, it means "endorsement or advertisement."

That said, if it felt icky to you, then you did the right thing by not selling them. That said, think of all the art pieces sold that feature kids . . .

[Sime]

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest you did the wrong thing for photographers as a whole.

Why shouldn't you sell a cute photo of a kid? If it was released where's the issue? I went to buy a new case for my acoustic bass tonight, there was this cute little fella there with his dad, he was 2 years old... when I took my bass in to try the size out, he wanted to play... I had a camera (as ever) in my bag and asked the dad if I could take a couple of photos of the little guy... I felt odd taking photos of someone's kid, and I shouldn't... why should I? well, I'd say because of the global attitude that everyone that does anything with a camera near a child is up to no good / made to feel like an outcast..

So, I'm sorry to disagree, I guess that's the great thing about opinions... (yes, I have my own child)

--Sime

[Jim Poor]

Sime makes a good point about why we should or shouldn't feel icky about taking photos of kids.

Still, let your own compass be your guide. Mine is guiding me to a bubble bath.

[Sime]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Sime makes a good point about why we should or shouldn't feel icky about taking photos of kids.

Still, let your own compass be your guide. Mine is guiding me to a bubble bath.

Totally, do what feels right to you, but I think my point was, our moral compas is broken and stuck pointing at 'you're a creep' because everyone says so... I just hope that we can change this, one day..


enjoy your bath! don't get your camera wet... ha