Are online labs trustworthy? - DPChallenge Forums

08/10/2007 09:44:23 AM · #1

So tomorrow I'm shooting a major celebrity's private birthday party for their little kid. I was asked to keep the photos private due to the presence of other guest celebrities, etc etc.

I get hired for a fair amount of events and such, but nothing unvolving well-known celebrities until now so I've never given much thought to the different hands and eyes that the photos pass through in the process. I got to thinking what if some of the photos "leaked out" and into public view? I'd be screwed! I know it's a long shot, but plausible I guess. I have 'professional' accounts with Millers and Bayphoto, not that that really matters. Or am I just thinking way too much?

NVPhoto

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/10/2007 10:04:56 AM · #2

No lab should leak your photos and if they did, the said celebrity could make trouble for them. They may ask you for model releases to print the photos. Thats is something I would try to be prepared for.

JM

08/10/2007 10:24:43 AM · #3

You really think they would ask for a model release to print photos?

Chinabun

Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

08/10/2007 10:25:05 AM · #4

who's the celebrity????

08/10/2007 10:25:56 AM · #5

Ill tell you who its not - John Candy.

NVPhoto

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/10/2007 10:38:57 AM · #6

Ive been asked by two different labs to show a model release for portrait photos, and that wasn't anyone famous.

Ritz and Costco both had me bring back the signed forms before they would print. This was just for proofs too.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/10/2007 10:45:28 AM · #7

Thats wild, ive never had that happen and I print at both of them. I had costco question me about printing someone elses work, just cause I took something that looked way to good to be taken by a punk kid like me haha. That just made me smile.

SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

08/10/2007 10:53:04 AM · #8

Originally posted by ajdelaware:

Same here, haha. Never been asked for a model release, just a copyright. Didn't think I was good enough to be asked for one of those just yet.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

08/10/2007 10:56:03 AM · #9

Originally posted by Chinabun:

who's the celebrity????

Ha, I knew that was coming. Let's just say he's known more for his food and restaurants than his appearance. ;-) Not a typical movie-star type celebrity, but a household name nonetheless. I'm more worried about possible guests' photos than his.

pix-al

Canon EOS-5D

08/10/2007 10:56:15 AM · #10

Surely you shouldn't require a release to print pictures? Proof of copywright/licence maybe, if the store is suspicious they may not be your images?

08/10/2007 11:00:19 AM · #11

When you have a professional account with a printer, you don't have to show model releases, because the account itself states you are the photographer, and they know you hold copyright.

As for the possibility of 'leaking' photos... Call the manager of the lab you will use, and speak with them directly, stating you have high profile client with strict confidential needs, and you want them to take care of your order personally so not to 'leak' the images.

Or, buy a new printer and do them all yourself.

The second one is the best bet to not leak anything... except maybe some ink...

------------------
side note, any store a person can just walk in off the street... the bigger ones like costco ask for releases to protect themselves. I have even heard of wal-mart at times ask for one. Once the lab knows you, and knows you as a photographer, than they slow down with asking and such.

Chinabun

Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

08/10/2007 11:09:42 AM · #12

No problem. I just wanted to know if I would be seeing you at this party :)

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

Originally posted by Chinabun:
who's the celebrity????

Ha, I knew that was coming. Let's just say he's known more for his food and restaurants than his appearance. ;-) Not a typical movie-star type celebrity, but a household name nonetheless. I'm more worried about possible guests' photos than his.

Message edited by author 2007-08-10 11:09:52.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/10/2007 11:10:58 AM · #13

Wolfgang Puck... cool

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/10/2007 11:13:25 AM · #14

Originally posted by littlegett:

Wolfgang Puck... cool

Emeril, perhaps?

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

08/10/2007 11:18:53 AM · #15

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

I wouldn't take a chance with it. I would take the photos to a 'real' camera shop rather than a standard cheap 1-hour lab. Explain your situation when you go in and ask them if you can watch while they process your work.

08/10/2007 11:19:13 AM · #16

Originally posted by pamelasue:

Originally posted by littlegett:
Wolfgang Puck... cool

Emeril, perhaps?

That was my first idea, but, it said

Originally posted by telehubbie:

his food and restaurants than his appearance.

Emeril is pretty high profile, so another household name would be WP.

Message edited by author 2007-08-10 11:20:20.

08/10/2007 11:20:21 AM · #17

Originally posted by littlegett:

Wolfgang Puck... cool

You're good! Maybe they'll have a good caterer. :-)

I was thinking of getting a nice printer myself, but I don't really have much experience printing my own stuff, and now isn't the best time to learn.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/10/2007 11:36:06 AM · #18

I think the problem's solved. I just talked to another photographer and he uses a lab here in Hollywierd that is very trustworthy that is used to printing celeb stuff. A bit more expensive than Millers, but worth the peace of mind. Should be interesting. I wish I could post photos here afterwards, but...

ETA: Thanks for the help/ideas.

Message edited by author 2007-08-10 11:39:45.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

08/10/2007 11:42:10 AM · #19

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

I wish I could post photos here afterwards, but...

You could ask for permission to post one non-compromising photo ...

08/10/2007 11:45:56 AM · #20

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

Originally posted by littlegett:
Wolfgang Puck... cool

You're good! Maybe they'll have a good caterer. :-)

I was thinking of getting a nice printer myself, but I don't really have much experience printing my own stuff, and now isn't the best time to learn.

Sweet (-;

If you need an extra hand... I am only a couple hours away 6-;

Prof_Fate

08/10/2007 12:16:09 PM · #21

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

That's for copyright infringement concerns - it's a compliment, they think your work is professoinal. It also means it's time to move to a professional lab.

As to the OP - most pro labs are trustworthy, but you never know who the $8 an hour machine operator is, or the guy that puts it the box to mail to you. They do your work at that lab, and other photogs too - your competetion. Quite a few labs are run by photographers - your competition if they're local to you, and i know of at least a dozen part time photogs that work at labs...idea theft is not uncommon, but who know about prints? I've had orders show up short a 4x6...I've had orders for other photogs shipped to me, and vice versa....

Don't you watch that show on FX - Dirt?

08/10/2007 12:25:33 PM · #22

Honestly, if the person is a household name, but not that recognizable by appearance, I wouldnt bother saying anything to any one. I mean if the odds of the person recognizing the celeb are slim, I wouldnt draw more attention to it by pointing it out to them.

Nullix

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

08/10/2007 12:28:24 PM · #23

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

I think the problem's solved. I just talked to another photographer and he uses a lab here in Hollywierd that is very trustworthy that is used to printing celeb stuff.

Care to give a plug? As a fellow hollywierdian (actually Santa Monican), it would be nice to know for future events.

A and I?