•2 min read•from Photography
Photographer refuses to show me any photos beyond her final edit, is this normal practice?
Our take
Navigating the dynamics between clients and photographers can be challenging, especially when expectations diverge. In this case, a photographer has limited the client’s access to images, sharing only her final edits despite an agreement to capture both film and digital formats. The client seeks clarity on whether this practice is standard in the industry and if a more explicit agreement should have been established initially. Engaging with this situation thoughtfully can lead to a better understanding of professional boundaries and enhance future collaborations.
Hi everyone. I recently hired a photographer to shoot promotional images for an upcoming album release. We agreed she would use both film and digital cameras, and together we shot what must have been hundreds of images.
A few days later, I received 20 black-and-white film scans, and honestly, they’re not really what I was looking for. When I asked to see some of the other photos, she flatly refused. As far as she’s concerned, those 20 are the best of the shoot and that’s the end of it. We’ve been going back and forth on this for several weeks now, and she won’t budge.
For context: I’ve worked with photographers on a number of projects and have always been involved in the selection process without any issues. On top of that, we specifically agreed to shoot on both film and digital, yet I only received film images.
I’m not asking for RAW files or full-resolution exports. Just low-res JPEGs so I can browse through what was captured and see if anything appeals to me beyond her edit. I’ve been clear that I have no intention of publishing those previews. I genuinely don’t understand what the concern is.
Is this standard practice among professional photographers? Should I have had a more explicit agreement in place from the start? And how would you recommend I approach this to resolve it? Or am I in the wrong here?
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