It’s a question you may not think to ask until after you’ve booked a photographer: Will my photos be posted online?
And the answer with me is… maybe! But ultimately, that choice is yours.
Why Photographers Share Client Images
Sharing my work is one of the biggest ways my business grows.
When you scroll through my website, Instagram, or Facebook and fall in love with a photograph, that image exists because another family trusted me to capture their story.. and allowed me to share a little piece of it.
Those images help future clients see what a session with me actually looks like. They show my editing style, the way I photograph real families, how I work with little ones, and the kinds of moments you can expect me to capture.
So yes, I absolutely love when my clients allow me to share their images. It means more to my business than you probably realize.
But loving the opportunity to share your photos and requiring you to share them are two very different things.
Your Photos, Your Choice
My contracts include a model release that allows me to use images for things like my website, portfolio, social media, and marketing.
You can always opt out of that release.
There is no additional fee for keeping your images private, and choosing not to allow sharing does not change the care I put into your session, the way I edit your gallery, or the experience you receive.
The one exception is when I specifically advertise model call or portfolio-building sessions where a discounted rate is offered in exchange for permission to use the resulting images. In those cases, when you book one of those sessions then image sharing is required as part of the agreement from the beginning and will always be clearly communicated before you book.
Will You Tag Me?
Not unless you ask me to.
Even when I have permission to share images, I generally do not tag my clients or identify the people pictured.
There are plenty of reasons someone may be comfortable having a beautiful family photo in my portfolio but not want that image directly connected to their personal social media account.
If you'd like to be tagged, just tell me! Otherwise, I let the photograph stand on its own.
Do You Post Sneak Peeks?
This is something I've changed as my business has grown.
Early in my photography journey, I would sometimes post sneak peeks to social media before delivering a client's full gallery.
These days, I want you to be the first person who gets to see your photographs.
There is something special about opening your gallery for the first time and getting to soak in those images without already having seen your favorites floating around Facebook.
So for most sessions, I don't post sneak peeks anymore. I finish your gallery, send it to you, and give you the chance to experience those photographs first.
Why Haven’t You Posted My Session?
First: I promise, it’s not because I didn’t love your photos.
I know some clients genuinely look forward to seeing their images pop up on my website or social media, and I love that! But even when you’ve given me permission to share, I intentionally give you some time with your gallery first.
I never want you to hear from a friend, “I just saw your newborn photos!” before you’ve even had a chance to sit down, open your gallery, send your favorites to Grandma, or announce your new baby yourself.
Because of that, I typically wait a minimum of at least two weeks after delivering your gallery, regardless of session type, before sharing anything from your session.
After that? My posting schedule is a little less predictable LOL.
I tend to plan and schedule several weeks of content at a time, which means a session I absolutely adore may not make it onto my page until weeks- or even months- after I photographed it. And occasionally life gets busy, I fall behind on posting, and suddenly I’m playing social-media catch-up with galleries from months ago.
When (or even, whether) I post your session is never a reflection of how I feel about your gallery. I promise there is no secret photographer ranking system where the “best” sessions make Facebook first.
Your photographs were created for you, not my feed. Sharing them is simply the bonus of getting to show others what I love to create.
And if you happen to see your family pop up months later? Just know I probably stumbled across your gallery again while planning content and thought, “Oh my gosh, WHY have I not posted these yet?!"
What If I Change My Mind?
Just talk to me.
If there's one particular image you don't want shared, or circumstances change and you become uncomfortable with an image being online, reach out. I want you to feel comfortable with the way photographs of your family are being used.
At the end of the day, I hope you'll let me share your images.
I'm proud of the images I create, and being able to show real families and real moments is what allows future clients to find me, trust me, and eventually step in front of my camera themselves.
But respecting your family's wishes matters more to me than having another photograph to post.
Your story belongs to you first. I'm simply honored when you let me share a little piece of it.