Retoucher's Rights for Website Use

[newbieretoucher]

I worked at a retouching studio and am curious to the legality about displaying the work I had done on my retouching website. A spoken agreement was made at the beginning that I would be able to use the images for my book but am wondering since I left on a bad note could the company have me remove the files from my website? No before and afters are shown, just finished work. Any legal help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[Mike]

In my considered opinion, you are on the wrong forum, not too many lawyers on here.

Usually tho, if you do not have it in writing, your dead.

But do talk to a good lawyer who practices in such areas.

[Markzebra]

Where do you live? US or UK - generally its a bad idea, if you got some kind of verbal agreement that might make things better, but something in writing (email) is the only way you can legally be Ok about it. If you actually DID the work, and I mean completely, then you have a right to show it in your book. In practice if your website is 'under wraps' ie you don't advertise it, and its up there for a short time, then you might get away with it, before and afters too

[dominik]

I'd be very careful in using those pictures if you dont have a written agreement. You may end up in big troubles especially if you left on a bad note. I always try to have all in writing and as it was already said an email is just enough.

Dominik

[Janko]

I would think the photographer would hold the rights and not the retouching company you worked for. maybe you can just bypass them and contact the photographer... In my experience photographers are generally ok with you using images as long as its for self promotion only and you credit them.

[plugsnpixels]

Avoid the problem altogether, create some new examples using your own source images!