Some of the most emotionally loaded images of the wedding day are created when the bride is dressing, being transformed by her loved ones into the sparkly, taffeta mass we recognize as the bride. Photographer Carolyn Monastra, who works for Christian Oth, Inc. is being sued over just such images. The lawsuit claims that in spite of the bride’s request to stop photographing her in her underwear, Carolyn persisted, then posted the images on the website, causing the bride to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
In a statement to lemondrop.com a spokes woman from Christian Oth, Inc. says:
“We are surprised and disappointed to learn that Mrs. Bostwick has filed a lawsuit against us in which she claims that we intentionally violated her privacy. We have never posted any images of Mrs. Bostwick on our public website or in any other public venue. Client images, such as Mrs. Bostwick’s, are posted on our proofing website and are always password protected… We believe that the substance of the allegations contained in Mrs. Bostwick’s complaint are completely without merit, we emphatically deny those allegations, and we look forward to having this case dismissed.”
This topic always stirs up controversy with brides to be. ”Experts” suggest disallowing the photographers permission to use the images in advertising, etc. or buying the copyright. This really comes down to an issue of trust. I always address this particular issue with brides in advance, and on the wedding day. I do not photograph people in states of undress unless specifically requested. All images that make the cull and I have even a small question about I leave off any public proofing and have the bride approve of it first. I know that I own the copyright, but publicly embarrassing a client is bad for business. I also know that good communication can save you a ton of head ache down the line, and communicating in writing is a good way to cover your butt.
Who knows what really happened in the Christian Oth, Inc. case? It may be for the courts to decided, but we can pick up a lesson and be more aware in the future.
Via | lemondrop
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6 Comments at "Bride Sues Photographer Over Underwear"
TOTALLY AGREE WITH TALKING IT OVER WITH THE BRIDE FIRST. AS A WOMAN I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS SOME DAYS TO SEE IMAGES OF MYSELF AND NOT BE COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH THE RESULT. CAN YOU IMAGINE LOOKING AT YOUR HALF NAKED BODY AND SEEING ALL YOUR “FLAWS” . ANY INTIMACY YOU SHARED THAT MOMENT WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHILE GETTING READY FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL DAY HAS GONE OUT THE WINDOW BECAUSE NOW ALL YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT IS HOW BIG YOUR BUTT.
THERE’S NO EXCUSE FOR FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHERS NOT BEING SENSITIVE TO THE WOMAN AND HER BODY.
I always let my brides know that there may be some images on their Pictage proofing site that they should mark private before releasing the images to their guests. End of problem.
Unless specifically requested to do this – I simply don’t. Having said that, a private password protected gallery should offer the bride the option of sharing such images – or not.
@Kim caps is considered to be loud / yelling and while I understand you are excited about the issue, it is easier to read without the caps lock button down.
We don’t know what “really” happened. If a bride/client tells me not to photograph certain things – I will respect that. Usually I will put the proof images in paswrod protected webiste (via http://www.collages.net) and give the couple a few days to review and let me know if they want any images removed before its available to others. We are talking about someone’s wedding.
[...] Here is an update to a story we first mentioned back in last November. (click to read the full backstory). [...]
So what’s the point ? Why even bother taking those photos unless the bride wants them. They really serve no purpose. Photographers can sometimes be so stubborn. Just because they have a camera doesn’t mean they should use it in certain situations.
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