Celebrity Retouching

[Midnight]

I work in a digital imaging studio, where we color correct and retouch still images for a major motion picture studio. Because we already have to right to to modify the images, can I use before and after images of celebrities in my portfolio?

[Doug Nelson]

For an online or printed portfolio, or any sort of advertising or promotional material, you'd need the celebrity's permission (and probably the permission of the photographer). For physical prints you carry around to job interviews, that's a bit murkier legally, but if it's ok with your studio it's probably ok (it might still be illegal, I'm not a lawyer, but I can't imagine how anyone would get work otherwise).

[NancyJ]

I dont know that its legally murkier - you're just more likely to get away with it since you're unlikely to get found out.

[Midnight]

Thank you Doug and Nancy for your reply. I realize this is a grey area in our field. Clients and employers want to see professional samples, but we leagally cannot show samples without permission - bit of a dilemma. I do feel knowing what is legal will help me decide what to do. Thanks again.

[superkoax]

to say it in easy terms( the way I got it from a nother guy)...If you/other take pictures of celebrities/people/others...You need written permission from them to post your pictures...Oral agreement count as good as a written one...


Gerry