One of the most common questions photographers face is about sharing images online. By default, my contract includes permission to use your photos for marketing and social media purposes. That’s pretty standard in the photography world—after all, sharing my work is how new clients find me.

But here’s the thing: your privacy matters more than my marketing.

Everyone Has Their Reasons

Not everyone wants their images online, and that’s okay. Some families prefer to keep their children off social media. Some people simply value privacy, or have personal, professional, or safety reasons for wanting to keep their images offline.

Whatever the reason, it isn’t my business to ask. My role is to respect your decision.

Does It Hurt a Little Sometimes?

I’ll be honest—it can sting a bit when I photograph a beautiful session and can’t share it. I love celebrating the families I work with and showing the world the magic we created together. And yes, many of my clients look forward to their sneak peeks and check my page often to see if their photos have been shared.

But at the end of the day, my job is to capture your memories, not to fill my feed.

A Photographer’s Responsibility

In my opinion, if a photographer doesn’t respect your wishes about privacy, that’s a red flag. You should feel safe and heard when you work with a professional.

If I ever find myself in a position where I don’t have enough content to share online, that’s not a problem with my clients—it’s a problem with my business strategy. It’s my job to figure out other ways to market myself without putting your comfort at risk.

What If Everyone Said No?

Sometimes people say, “But what if every client asked you not to share?” My response is simple: has that ever happened? For me, the answer is no. Most of my clients are perfectly comfortable with me sharing, while some aren’t—and I respect both choices equally.

My Promise to You

If you are a current or future client, I want you to know this: if you ask me not to use your images online, I will honor that. Your wishes are respected, no questions asked.

Your trust is more important than a social media post. Always.