That PR company’s graphic artists and editors know full well they are breaking copy laws. Go after them.

Oh yeah, this happens to the best of us. Yes, follow up with what you told us here, offer to retake, but you’ll need to be paid for your time. It’s hard to stand up for yourself sometimes, but give it a try. Be ready with a written list of how you can make the next shoot run smoother.

One hour for all the takes they wanted is unreal. I was once given 10 MINUTES to shoot a super busy company president. I was sweating. I did a few mugs in her office, then literally followed her to her next appointment, shooting her walking towards me, then away, and briefly chatting with her staff on the way.

Turned out pretty cool for a story on her work as president of a busy non-profit.

Oddly enough, there were shoots I did where I thought none of the photos were very good. Then the client would call and rave about how awesome the photos were. Go figure.

Chin up, you can’t nail them all. If they drop you over one bad shoot, and I’ve had that happen, move on. It used to crush me, but at least I learned something each time, and it polished me up and made me better.

Yeah, no. You legally own the copyright to ALL of your photos unless you sign off on them. For example, when I shot for our newspaper, I would submit several for a story. The ones they published became the property of the newspaper. The photos they did NOT use were still mine.

Same with wedding photos. My clients signed a contract that gave them the right to reproduce or publish them as long as they gave me attribution and used only quality labs for reprints. I agreed to only use them to promote my photography business in a respectful, tasteful way. They were thrilled to be featured in my portfolio.

Sorry they’re blackmailing you with your own images. There are plenty of decent non-profit, PR & marketing firms looking for freelancers. They pay well. Happy shooting!

I worked as a media photojournalist for local businesses and non-profits through PR firms. Their clients need event coverage, CEO portraits, teams and event photos, story pic for newsletters, and even food. 15 years ago a PR firm started me on the “low end” at $55 an hour. I was at $75 an hour when I retired.

I’ve shot fundraising events, parades, golf outings (great food), covers and inside stories for a big Catholic diocese monthly magazine, was an ambulance company’s photog for 3 years, shot art, schools, ground breakings, a wind turbine farm dedication with a big power company, and even a governor’s news conferences.

That last one bought 15 enlargements of the governor with the power co.'s executives which was a huge profit for me.

I was just a struggling, 30-something mom in college when I started out with one stock lens and a crash course in photography 101. I attended a few weekend photography workshops to learn basic lighting and Photoshop, and joined a camera club.

Network, network, network, and go above and beyond what they ask for. I never had a website because I was kept so busy.

All copy and photo editors implicitly know that they have to give attribution. Period.