legal questions

[locknkey]

Hey everyone I just have a few questions and would like to know the opinions of everyone.
I did a private shoot with a model and now she's asking for the unedited versions of the photos. We didn't sign a contract or anything but I do have messages back and forth agreeing for her to let me take her photos and what not. Am I allowed to refuse her the unedited photos? She specifically told me she just wanted the edited ones now she's trying to say other wise.. II bent over backwards for her and didn't even include charges for changes of outfits as well as her running way over our scheduled time as well as being 2 hours late for our shoot...I know roughly the laws of photography but was just curious about this particular topic...Thanks in advance.

[Rentham]

Originally Posted by locknkey

Am I allowed to refuse her the unedited photos?

Absolutely. Since there was no contract, there's nothing stating the terms which can work for you as well as against you. I have a policy (which I always communicate to clients) that I never ever give out unedited or RAW images.

Stick to your guns.

[OsmosisStudios]

Rentham's got it, but missed something important: GET A CONTRACT. Next time, at least.

[Rentham]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Rentham's got it, but missed something important: GET A CONTRACT. Next time, at least.

Yeah, I kinda of thought that went without saying. But definitely get a contract next time and every time after that.

[locknkey]

Now a contract doesn't need to be written up by a lawyer? It's pretty much a glorified receipt. I plan on starting with the contracts because I work a lot with the drag queens around here and well, they are more drama queen than drag.

Thanks for all the awesome and quick replies

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by locknkey

Now a contract doesn't need to be written up by a lawyer? It's pretty much a glorified receipt. I plan on starting with the contracts because I work a lot with the drag queens around here and well, they are more drama queen than drag.

Thanks for all the awesome and quick replies

Not at all. It simply needs to very clearly state contingencies and what is expected of both sides.

[Biomech]

Ask her why she wants them.

Someone asked me for the unedited files once. So I gave them the RAW files of the most heavily corrected images. After they complained that they couldn't open the files, they didn't know why they looked so bad compared to my edited copies. They never asked again.

[CheaperKings]

That's like her asking me for my film negatives.

Here's what you say: "Screw you, goofy - it isn't happening."

..........

[CheaperKings]

Originally Posted by Photoboothguy

I'll go the opposite route...why not?

One of my clients said "Not everyone likes your post-processing, and I would like a try at doing it differently". I gave him the files and said "Knock yourself out".

He only asked that once, and I've done three shoots with him since then...apparently it was too much trouble to improve on what I typically do.

From her perspective, I could see her wanting the RAW files. If she didn't like your editing, or wanted to spend more time on them herself, she should be willing to edit the photos to her liking. She is a model, and her portfolio is just as important to her as your is to you.

Bracing for the inevitable "I don't have control over my final product" argument...

Ok, say you give them the RAWs, they totally screw them up, put them up on fb or flickr or wherever and give YOU all the credit of the images?

Sorry. That isn't happening...