Walmart won't release photos !!??

[ottor]

My son and his wife finally talked me into taking some shots of them and my grandchild over at the college... Sara loaded them to Walmart over the Internet, and when she went to pick them up, they stated that they needed a "Copyright Release" from the photographer. She stated that it was her father in law, and he's not a professional photographer - they're just family pic's .......... still wouldn't release them to her, stating they "Looked" professional, and insisted on a written release...

I told her to give me the money and I'd go over and meet with the Manager and pick up their pictures ........... I can see the need to protect themselves, and provide for the rights of professional photographers, but .......... "Looking" professional is totaly subjective, and their refusal to release is just wrong ..... and they'll hear it.

r

 

[rgregory1965]

Thats Walmart for ya....

I only use Walgreens or my local Ritz camera for the good ones.

 

[PhotoWrangler]

Sorry. I'll side with Walmart on this argument. At least they are taking the initiative to protect intellectual property, and as long as I'm a photographer, they'll get my vote.

 

[SCraig]

It won't be the first time they hear about it. Many people have complained about their unwillingness to release photographs but they tend to not budge on their policies.

 

[ann]

This is not all that rare, and not only at Walmart.

I had to provide a letter on company letter head so a friend could use a photo on her Xmas card. THey just aren't use to seeing anything more than snapshots.

 

[rgregory1965]

Sorry. I'll side with Walmart on this argument. At least they are taking the initiative to protect intellectual property, and as long as I'm a photographer, they'll get my vote.

you have never used walmart and had them HOLD YOUR photos.....

 

[Kerbouchard]

Sorry. I'll side with Walmart on this argument. At least they are taking the initiative to protect intellectual property, and as long as I'm a photographer, they'll get my vote.

I also side with Walmart in this case. Good for them.

 

[PhotoWrangler]

you have never used walmart and had them HOLD YOUR photos.....

You're absolutely correct, I have a pro lab.

However, as a photographer, I will never fault anyone for questioning the copyright ownership of a photo be it Walmart, Walgreens, of any other corner store with a printer. And as photographers, whether pro or amateur, you all should feel the same way. If you don't, send me a copy of your amateur shots and let me farm them out as stock photos. I need to make a little extra cash this time of year anyway.

 

[o hey tyler]

You could just have them get printed online and shipped to you, at a place with better print quality. Personally, I wouldn't give money to WalMart, especially for prints. Tell them to use Mpix or Nations Photo Lab.

 

[tirediron]

This is one of the reasons that I embed my name, telephone number, company name, etc in the EXIF data of my image.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Sorry, it is totally stupid IMO. How do they judge who took it? You could have a random guy from the parking lot that can just pretend to be the photographer. Seriously, if someone has the HIGH RES, print away!

 

[blackrose89]

Sorry, it is totally stupid IMO. How do they judge who took it? You could have a random guy from the parking lot that can just pretend to be the photographer. Seriously, if someone has the HIGH RES, print away!

I agree. I mean I understand the policy, but why didn't they just say one of them was the photographer?

 

[Josh66]

I don't see that policy going away. If anything, it will get 'worse' and be applied to all prints.

 

[RebeccaAPhotography]

Thats Walmart for ya....

I only use Walgreens or my local Ritz camera for the good ones.

Walgreens??? I've seen and read so many threads that Walgreens kills photos. That is one place i will NOT go for my "good ones"

 

[Robin Usagani]

Are they trained to look at people's face and determine if one is a photographer or not?