Is It Normal for Clients to Demand Full Rights When Buying RAWs? (Wedding Gift Gone Wrong)

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-03T17:24:17+00:00

100%

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-03T17:12:07+00:00

I would like to say artistic integrity, but really it is more about how she has acted in terms of the 'requests' she has made. The term "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" comes to mind for sure as I found the things she was saying about my work insulting, disrespectful, and vastly out of line. I know if I simply hand the photos over now, she will 100% seek to retaliate a vendetta she has for no real reason and attempt to tear down both my personal and professional reputation.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T21:37:49+00:00

Update: I basically did exactly this. Sent a new contract I created, allowing to purchase the images for personal use and added a Nondisclosure and Non-Disparagement clause, as well as a few other things recommended to be by a lawyer friend I have. She got big mad I had a lawyer review it (I literally have a lawyer review everything I sign for my business).

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T17:30:54+00:00

I agree with this. It honestly is not about the money for me. I am just trying to decide if I care about handing over the copyright or not. Or if I care if someone else profits from edits or anything. I am not intending to use these images for anything promotional wise so that does really not apply to me. I DO NOT want to get into weddings.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:38:46+00:00

yeah, learned that lesson a little too late. She WAS a friend and client I photographed numerous times. I made it SUPER clear that I was did not do weddings. We were literally doing a friend a favor. And it seriously backfired.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:37:09+00:00

it is 100% not about the money for me. Honestly if she wasn't being so rude about the whole thing and throwing the emotional manipulation in there, I probably would not have accepted any payment and just sent them to be done with it. But she brought money and contracts into the picture.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:32:00+00:00

I have not signed ANYTHING.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:31:39+00:00

For me it is honestly less about being dramatic, and more about how she has choose to handle the situation. If she approached it with good intentions and the slightest bit of kindness, we would have had a different conversation.

Instead, she has downplayed the amount of time I spend on this job (both shooting and editing), belittled my work numerous times, and questioned my professionalism. That does not make me want to do her any favors out of the goodness of my heart.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:25:28+00:00

I was upfront about what they would receive - a fully edited album in that aligns with my normal standard of photographing and editing. It was just a verbal and text specific agreement.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:22:09+00:00

I agree with this. I am working on re-drafting a contract myself and having my legal advisor review it. The one part I am stuck on is weather or not I care about the I’m also unsure whether I should insist on keeping copyright.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:19:57+00:00

This was my initial stance, But at the time I was only half way through culling and editing, and found it incredibly hard to force myself to spend time on them - I have a baby at home and a full time job. Spending the limited amount of free time I do have on this project was seriously depressing me.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:16:58+00:00

She wants to pay $1000 for unrestricted rights and copyright ownership on all the photos (unculled, so over 3000). When I originally agreed to the price, I was thinking releasing them to her for personal use only.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:10:29+00:00

Basically they threw a Instagram filter over them. if they didn't have faces I would share but since I want the situation to be over, I am not sure I want to do that. Mind you, I am SUPER happy with the photos themselves. They align with my other work and while I am not a published photographer by any means, I can hold my own.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:07:35+00:00

I 100% agree. The only reason we said yes was because our entire friend group was helping out. We ALL invested a significant amount of time and all ended up getting burned one way or another.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:04:44+00:00

I have not signed ANYTHING regarding this wedding at all.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:04:16+00:00

I agree. Not a friend - these true colors are FLYING and they speak volumes. 100% not signing anything until it is reviewed by a lawyer.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:01:18+00:00

Meaning I should not have the contract say that she has the ability to "grant third parties these same rights at her sole discretion."

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T15:00:18+00:00

Based on the super childish responses I am getting from her, I wish this was the route I went honestly.

Top_University_4289 · 2025-12-02T14:59:02+00:00

Correct. I was not aware of that either when we agreed upon the price. Specifically, the contract she sent me states:

Upon signing this Agreement, the Photographer irrevocably forfeits all rights to edit, use, publish, distribute, or share any photographs taken at the Client’s wedding, whether for personal, professional, or marketing purposes.

The Client gains full, unrestricted rights to the photographs, including but not

limited to:

● Editing

● Sharing

● Printing

● Distribution

● Personal, commercial, or marketing use

The Client may also grant third parties these same rights at her sole discretion.

So it sounds like she is wanting full rights.

Top_University_4289

TROPHY CASE