Hello, i’ve been a photographer for sometime now. I have my own instagram page, my own equipment, and i have already posted a bunch. Recently i got hired at an event agency (photo/video) and i get to shoot most of their events (parties, weddings… you name it)
My problem is as follows: They want me to use their editing style (presets and colors) and put their logo on everything i take. I understand that those are their clients and hence they have their brand to show. But the real problem is that even the pictures i take myself, outside work, let’s say i call a friend out or take pics of my girlfriend and want to post them on my page, they won’t let me post without their presets as well (for marketing purposes) and to associate me with them.
I really hate this, because i can’t be creative anymore.
They pay really good money, so idk what to do.
How would you guys handle this?
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This is so stupidly easy to solve. Just make a new instagram account with a pseudonym that does link to you at all and post whatever you want.
That said, this is super weird and unprofessional.
Perhaps you need to make sure your “personal” and your “business” IG pages are separate. I could see why a business doesn’t want personal work on one of “their” pages.
If having your own personal, non-work social media account still violates their rules… Well, personally I’d sit down with management to either force them to change the policy or end my contract.
I would look over your employment contract.
It’s unreasonable for you to always be advertising for them when you are freelancing or working for another client.
Check your contract.
If that wording is in there, you had better be paid as a full time staff photographer, and very well. What’s the copyright status of the images you make on the clock?
If necessary maybe you speak with a lawyer about how to go around this. If there is not a noncompete clause maybe you make your own company and post your work under that name so there isn’t an association between your work posted elsewhere and their company.
PPA probably has a few helpful people in their pro forum. You have to be a member though.
You should have separate instagram accounts for personal and business
No company can tell you what to do with your personal life. My company always tried to say I cant do anything even related to what they do cuz its “poaching”. I do services they dont provide so its a massive middle finger to em and they cant do shit about it.
Post your shit and if they dont like it, they can buy every single picture you post at a price you choose. Take em to court for “personal involvement”. Means they are basically telling you you cant live unless we say so. Then they have to go through the fun part of paying for your housing, meals, utilitoes, etc.
(I can only speak if you’re in the US as I’m less familiar with laws in other countries)… Are you a full time employee and they provide your equipment when you’re working? If so this is problematic. Alternatively have you signed a contract that stipulates it as “Work for hire” (very specific wording)? If so that’s also problematic. In either of these cases any images you are paid by them to create would be theirs and you would not have any copyright claim (I know it’s often said that the photographer always has copyright but these are two exceptions… if you’re an employee as defined by IRS standards, or the work is contractually “work for hire” in which case the employer owns copyright, not the photographer). You should be free to do anything with the stuff you take outside, but you need to be very clear that it is your stuff and not use any of the company’s resources.but there are a few things they could argue (even if they’re not in the right) to make your life more difficult.
If you signed a “non-compete” it’s going to be extremely problematic for you as you posting your work to social media could be viewed as promoting your services.
Even if you’re legally in the clear, then it just comes down to client relations… how much is it worth to you to keep this client happy? I’d try to explain that they aren’t paying you 24/7 and they aren’t paying you to sit still. You can offer up an additional rate for an exclusive non-compete clause, but you have to be very careful with this and make sure that the money you’d make it worth it to you (honestly I’d have to make it absurdly high myself) or you can try to explain that they are paying for those images and not for your images.
What does the contract say and/or how bad do you need the money?
Are you using their equipment, software licenses, or doing it on company time?
Make a fake alternate persona. “I didn’t take or post the photos, Jackie Daytona did!”
Regular human photographer
It would be a good idea of you keep your personal IG account seprate for work and keep a different account for the photoshoots that you do with yours friend’s and stuff
if they’re putting their name on it, then you deserve to get paid for it. if they arent paying you for it, they dont get to put their name on it…
What is in your employment contract?
The contract you signed is your guide. Check and recheck everything the contract states.
Anyway why don’t you start your personal website unrelated to the company?
Are you an employee or work for hire!
I think base the decision on whats more important freedom of expression without any limitations or a stable income. Personally a well paying photography jobs are hard to come by so you don’t want to hurt yourself by chasing own goals that may not reward you financially but will creatively.
It’s pretty strict to force a move like that on to someone though but i definitely think you need to have a sit down and negotiate something that works for both.