Sharing Photos – What Photographers Can and Can Not Share

In today’s digital world, sharing photos of our children has become second nature. Whether it’s a professional photography session or a candid moment at home, many parents love showcasing their little ones online. And as a photographer, I love sharing my work for my portfolio to show on my social media pages and website. However, an increasing number of families are choosing to keep minors’ faces private in shared images. If you’re considering this approach, know that what I can and can’t share as a photographer is completely up to you. I share as much, or as little, as you want me to.

Keeping your child’s face out of publicly shared images helps protect their privacy and prevents their likeness from being used without consent. I always honor my client’s wishes when it comes to what they allow me to share. And unfortunately, not everyone online has good intentions. Blurring or cropping out faces can help prevent unwanted or inappropriate attention from strangers. This is especially important for photographers who post portfolio images on social media or websites. Children can’t fully understand the implications of having their photos online. As they grow older, you allow them the freedom to decide how they want to present themselves online when they’re old enough to make that choice.

Choosing to share images that focus on emotions, hands holding, silhouettes, or small details like tiny feet can still beautifully capture the essence of childhood. These creative approaches allow for meaningful storytelling while maintaining privacy. This also causes me to be more creative in my approach to your session to make sure to capture images you are okay with sharing and you are okay with me sharing as well.

There are many alternative ways to share photos with angles, certain poses and detail oriented shots. As a photographer, I always send over a “Model Release” that is included in my contract that gives you full control over what I can, and can not share. Whether it be none of the photos, no faces of minors, no faces in general, etc., I always honor my client’s wishes and privacy. Your online gallery is always password protected and only given to the client who signs the contract.

Choosing what a photographer can share is a personal decision, but it’s one that prioritizes privacy and safety. Whether you’re a parent or a photographer, it’s worth considering how you can balance sharing beautiful moments while respecting a child’s digital future.

An in-home session with Elizabeth, Logan and their daughter, Emory I did recently is a good example of this. They did not allow any full face images of their daughter to be shared and I verified all the photos I wanted to share were OK with them prior to posting.