CanisMajor
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2010
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Flagstaff, AZ
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
A few months back my Grandmother passed away. At the funeral, numerous family photographs were taken including pictures of the coffin, flowers, pallbearers, etc... I was surprised that several weeks after this event I found that a member of my family posted some of the pictures, for sale, on a stock photography website (e.g. Shutterstock.com, Fotolia.com). The photos included only my family member (the one who posted the pictures for sale) and/or only the casket, flowers (there wasn't a violation of model consent or the like).
I'll be honest, when I saw the pictures posted I thought it was distasteful and inappropriate and I immediately wondered: What would the photography community think? I recognize I am sensitive to this issue because, to me, these images were DEEPLY personal and were associated with emotional heartache.
To escalate these feelings, a few weeks back, my other Grandmother passed away...double whammy. As before, while at the burial, my family member began taking thousands (only a slight exaggeration here) of pictures of the grave, casket, flowers, etc... I confronted this family member, assuming that these pictures would be posted for sale too, and asked: "Is this ethical? Is it OK to profit from your Grandmother's death?" My family member's reply was that "...these images were just another casket and flowers". I was then accused of calling this family member unethical and he is willing, at least for now, to throw away our relationship (i.e. won't take my phone calls, or talk to me so we can discuss and work out our differences together).
I'm trying to remain open minded on this issue. Perhaps I was way off base with my comments; it was after all an emotional time for everyone in attendance that day.
So I ask:
1) Where would you draw the line? Just because one can make money selling images on a stock photography website, should they try to sell all of lifes moments, including tender, even sacred family moments?
2) Was I wrong to confront my family member?
Kind regards.
-CanisMajor
I'll be honest, when I saw the pictures posted I thought it was distasteful and inappropriate and I immediately wondered: What would the photography community think? I recognize I am sensitive to this issue because, to me, these images were DEEPLY personal and were associated with emotional heartache.
To escalate these feelings, a few weeks back, my other Grandmother passed away...double whammy. As before, while at the burial, my family member began taking thousands (only a slight exaggeration here) of pictures of the grave, casket, flowers, etc... I confronted this family member, assuming that these pictures would be posted for sale too, and asked: "Is this ethical? Is it OK to profit from your Grandmother's death?" My family member's reply was that "...these images were just another casket and flowers". I was then accused of calling this family member unethical and he is willing, at least for now, to throw away our relationship (i.e. won't take my phone calls, or talk to me so we can discuss and work out our differences together).
I'm trying to remain open minded on this issue. Perhaps I was way off base with my comments; it was after all an emotional time for everyone in attendance that day.
So I ask:
1) Where would you draw the line? Just because one can make money selling images on a stock photography website, should they try to sell all of lifes moments, including tender, even sacred family moments?
2) Was I wrong to confront my family member?
Kind regards.
-CanisMajor